Robots have transcended mere tools or machines. They have been successfully incorporated in almost all sectors including modern day manufacturing assembly lines and contemporary medical practices. Here we decode the essential robot parts we need to know about:
Structure
A standard robotic system is composed of the most critical mechanical elements. It includes the frame or body, actuators, joints, and end effectors. The frame also referred to as the body of the robot acts as a support base for the other components. Motors or pneumatic systems which are known as actuators. They help in providing the movements of the robot to interact with the surroundings. These are connections between moving elements of the robot which assist in the movement of parts of the robot. End effectors like grippers, tools or sensors are elements that engage directly with the materials the robot is intended to work with.
Power Source
Lithium-Ion Batteries have high energy densities and the ability to be recharged. Hence their use in most mobile and portable robots. Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) offer reasonable energy density and are less susceptible to memory effect than the previous types of batteries. It secures uniform voltage levels for all the components. Additional power sources such as solar power or the energy from motion can help increase the active periods of the machines, especially those used outdoors or in distant places. Low power design is very important especially in battery-powered robots as it helps to increase the working time and cut down on weight.
Control System
The systems in question are guilty of carrying out the necessary functions by means of receiving stimuli and producing the desired outcome. Robotic control systems can be classified into two broad categories: open-loop systems and closed-loop systems. Open-loop systems do not utilize feedback in effecting control. Therefore they do not modify their output considering the outcome of the performance. On the other hand, closed-loop control systems make use of the information obtained from sensors to change the behavior of the robot more accurately and recover in changing environments more readily.
In the field of robotics, control systems may also be grouped according to their degree of complexity and refinement. So starting with basic on-off control and culminating with artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques. These systems are essential in allowing a robot to perform tasks such as exploring the surroundings, avoiding obstacles, handling objects, and executing complex activities with accuracy.
Software
Robot Operating System (ROS) is an open-source framework. It provides a vast number of tools and libraries to help create robot applications. Real-time Embedded Operating Systems are small, resource efficient or even extreme slender OS for use in Embedded Systems. Programming in C++ and Python is usually the norm in robotics due to the speed of the systems along with the language’s library coverage. For simulation, modeling, and data analysis, MATLAB was applied.
We looked into the essential robot parts. It was revealing to appreciate the number of mechanical parts involved in a machine of that caliber. While moving through time and history of robotics, we choose to point out that the evolution of these systems has become imperative especially in relation to the growth of robotics and artificial advancements.
