Robotic Systems

2008-04-15 10:25:18

( Computers )



Definition of Robotics

The robotic industry is responsible for conceptualizing, designing, manufacturing and application of robotic systems to benefit various sectors of other industries.

The general goal of robotic systems is to make human life more comfortable by replacing human labor with robots to do menial or tedious tasks.

How Robotic Systems Work

Robotic systems are very complicated. They are mechanical in nature, and can be compared to the skeletal structure of human beings. Robots move through actuators, which act like muscles that convert stored energy into movements. These movements may be programmed to translate into human-like actions, such as picking up, modifying or destroying objects.

The hands of robots act as effectors, that is, they cause certain things to be accomplished. The arms act as manipulators to control movements.

Robots move around either by rolling or walking. Walking is actually a very complicated movement for robots, because the action may be limited by the type of flooring or terrain where the robot is moving around. What seems to be very simple human motion, such as climbing stairs, is actually difficult to implement in robots.

Some robotic systems concentrate on special movements such as flying, swimming, skating, or crawling on the floor in a snake-like motion.

Other robots can also be programmed to recognize human voices and speech, and their abilities to respond to human speech may depend on acoustics or volume of the person's speech.

Finally, robots may be able to perform highly specialized actions such as playing a musical instrument. Some robots may also be able to simulate human emotions and facial expressions, and certain toys have been developed with these capabilities.

Uses of Robotic Systems

Many industries engaging in heavy manufacturing activity and operation of equipment have found the need for employing robots to replace human labor. A great advantage of robotic systems is that they are not subject to fatigue or emotional stress compared to human beings, and they can perform tedious tasks longer. Industrial robots can lift heavy weights far beyond the capabilities of humans and therefore reduce the likelihood of incurring accidents in the workplace.

Robotic systems are beneficial because they can even operate 24/7, as long as they are well-maintained and closely monitored. You save a lot in terms of labor costs, and you have less risks of accidents that could result in expensive lawsuits and worker's compensation claims.

However, a major reason for not using robotic systems is the restrictive cost. Robotic systems are also expensive and difficult to fix in case of any malfunction. Just like computer software, some robotic systems may also have bugs that are irreparable. They will only perform as well as the people who operate them.


All rights Reserved © Tradenet Services srl
Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form.