Robotics - A Historical Perspective

8/13/2019 Robotics - A Historical Perspective

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Introduction to Robotics

Robots A historical perspective


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What is in a name?

How does one define ROBOT?

Oxford American Dictionary:A machinecapable of carrying out a complex series ofactions automaticall es eciall one

programmed by a computer

Merriam-Webster Dictionary: 1. A machine that looks and actslike a human being. 2. An efficient but insensitive person. 3. A

device that automatically performs repetitive tasks. 4. Somethingguided by automatic controls.


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What is in a name?

The robot rage currently is BIOMIMICRY.

Biomimicry is the study of natures designs andprocesses in search of inspiration for creatingmachines and process that solves human

.

So does copying natureDEFINE what robots are?


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Robot Institute of America

RIA presents its definition of a robot as:A reprogrammable,multifunctional manipulator

, ,tools, or specialized devicesthrough various programmedfunctions for the performance ofavariety of tasks.


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Japanese Industrial RobotAssociation (JIRA)

JIRAs chiefly concerned with industrial robots but

has created a robot classification system. Manipulators (Manual, Sequential,

Programmable)

Numerically Controlled Sensate

Adaptive

Smart Intelligent mechantronic


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Manipulators

Manual Machines slaved

to a human operator Sequential Device that

perform a series of tasks

every time they areactivated. (Phoneswitching system)

Programmable An

assembly line robotic arm


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Numerically Controlled

These are also known as

Playback robots. Robots that are instructed to

perform tasks through the

rece p s o n orma on onsequences and positions in theform of numerical data.

These types of robots are

often used to make precisionmachinery.


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Sensate Robots

Robots that incorporate

senor feedback into theircircuitry touch sensors,proximity sensors, vision

systems, and so forth.

The HelpMate trackless robotic hospital courier uses sensors to

deliver materials within a hospital or medical facility so that thestaff can focus on patient care instead of running around takingcare of errands. It includes laser scanners for object detection andtouch bumper sensors for movement control.


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Adaptive Robots

Robots that can change

the way they function inresponse to theirenvironment.

Synchronization in PersonalAssistant Robotics) is a child-sizedhumanoid robot . This robot hasbeen used to investigate thepossible use of robotic systems as

therapeutic or educational tools toencourage social interaction skillsin children with Autism.

This program works withchildren who are preventedfrom playing, either due tocognitive, developmental orphysical impairments whichaffect their playing skills, and is

investigating how robotic toyscan empower children withdisabilities to discover the rangeof play styles from solitary to

social and cooperative play.


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Smart Robots

Robots that are consideredto possess Artificial

Intelligence (AI). Whetheror not AI exists is stilldebated.

Frontline and White Box Robotics has created a robots calledPC-BOT. The idea is based on collaboration. Teams of thesesmall robots can be used at factories, plants, & shopping malls.The software is designed in layers where the first controls themovement of the robot and its own sensor function which looksfor anomalies in its environment. Once an anomaly is detected asecond layer of programming has the team of robotscommunicating, converging on location, sharing information,and assigning a robot leader.


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Intelligent-Mechatronic Systems

Mechatronics a fancy

word coined by theJapanese refers to theintersection ofMechanical/Electricaland computer control

.

smart devices that areembedded into systemsalready in place.

iLaneAn intelligent, portable device that lets you control your

smartphone using simple voice commands when you're insideyour vehicle. Now you can open, listen to, and respond to email

entirely hands-free simply by speaking aloud.


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So how would you respond if youwere asked what is a robot?

Carlo Bertocchini (Battlebots Champion) Deciding if a

machine is or is not a robot is like trying to decide if a certainshade of greenish blue is truly blue or not blue.

Roger Gilbertson (owner of THE ROBOT STORE) Idefine a robot as any autonomous sensor-processor-actuator

Fred G. Martin ( professor of computer science a UMASS) The term robot, while accurate, is too mentally confining.

Rodney Brooks (Director of MITs AI lab) A robot is amachine which senses the world, computes, and then decideson some action in the world which has a physical reach beyond

itself.

Gordon McComb (amateur robotics guru) I cant reallydefine robot. I just know one when I see it.


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So why the confusion?

Part of what constitutes a robot has to

do with the many types of popularmedia which has led robots to infamy.

, ,

which means forced labor or servitude.

The term was first introduced in Karel Capeks play R.U.R(Rossums Universal Robots). Written in 1920, it centers arounda mad-scientist type who tries to usurp the powers of God by

proving that man has acquired the technology and intelligenceto create life.


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R.U.R

In the play, Rossums industrialist

nephew sees the artificialhumans as the perfect worker,a tireless laborer who doesntcomplain, doesnt need health

,

a paycheck

Karel himself didnt coin the termrobotbut rather his brother, Josef.Prior to 1920, the term automatonwas used.


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Issac Asimov

Throughout the 1940s ,

Issac, wrote many shortstories depicting robots forvarious popular sci-fimagazines.

, -

published. In 1942, he used the word

Robotics in a short storycalled Runaround and is

therefore credited as theauthor of the word.


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Engleberger meets Devol

In 1956, Joseph Engleberger, an

aerospace engineer met GeorgeDevol, an inventor andentrepreneur, for cocktails. Theydiscovered they both loved the

- .

told Engleberger about a patenthe was trying to get involving aprogrammable manipulator.Engleberger immediately saw thepotential and founded

UNIMATION with Devol, theworlds first robot maker.


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UNIMATION

Universal Automation was

born ad General Motorsbecame the first companyto install a UNIMATE in

1962. The Unimate was arobotic arm used toextract hot parts from adie-casting machine, a

dangerous job for ahuman worker.

Significant moment inrobot history #1


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Dr. W. Grey Walter

In 1948, Grey

conducted someexperiments on amobile, autonomousrobot. He was

model brain functions.He built 2 small robotshe called tortoises andnamed them Elmerand Elsie. They were

crude by todaysstandards but amarvel of the day.


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Elmer and Elsie

The most revolutionary

thing about Elmer andElsie is that they didnthave any brains or pre-

.

basic analog circuits, 2vacuum tubes, a touchsensor, a light sensor,and they could evenrecharge their ownbatteries.



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SRIs Intelligent Robot

In the late 1960s, researchers

at the Stanford ResearchInstitute (SRI) began work onthe first intelligent robot. Therobot, named SHAKEY, was

reason on its own. It was builton a 4 wheel base with 2 wheeldrive. It had a tall camera,laser range finders, and a radiomast where it received

information over a radio linkfrom computers.


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SHAKEY

Shakey was the world first mobile,autonomous, & programmable robot

in that its programming used 3layers.

1. Basic moving, turning, andnavigating.

.

build routines3. Receive instructions and plan the

best course of action to execute theplan.

Problem: SHAKEY took TOO much timeto contemplate the action needed(hours). When it finally moved itswayed and shaked to do its task.


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Robotics - A Historical Perspective