Physics of Robots :: physics robot robots

Definition of a Robot A Robot is a reprogramable, multi-functional manipulator designed to move material, parts, tools, or a specialized devices through variable programmed motions for the performance of variety of tasks. In order to make a robot do anything it has to have a program or a set of programs that tell it to do certain tasks. Robots come in all different shapes and sizes. Some robots have been used to try and look and behave physically like a human being. Other robots are used for home entertainments. For example there is a robotic dog that now for sale that can behave and act like a dog. The nice thing about having a robotic dog is a person could shut it off when they get tired of it. Different Kinds of Robots Some robots have arms, legs, heads, wheels, and etc. There are robots that are used in big industrial factories. General Electric uses robotic arms to weld. The robotic arms can weld with such great precision that it looks perfect. There are also robots that have been used in movies such as Mighty Joe Young, Star Wars, and Jurrasic Park. Then there are also miniture robots that are designed like small insects such as horseflys and ladybugs. You can read about the insect robots in the National Geographics Magazine. The Structure of the Robotic Hand A robotic hand can be designed in different ways. The most important is that there is a wrist, fingers, and a way to move an object. The wrist will give the twisting motion. The fingers will be able to grab an object. Some people use grippers. The grippers work like sicorrs. There are also devices that act like sensory nerves. These devices are either light sensitive or switch activated. That way a robot would be able to tell where a light source is coming from or when it was running into a wall. The hardest part about making a robotic hand do something is to make the open and closing motion with the fingers. Humans have nerves and muscels that alow them to retract and contract their fingers. With a robot cables, motors, or pneumatic hydralics can be used. Strong cables can be used to give easy and quiet movements. Motors used with different gear ratios can make the fingers stronger when gripping or faster. By determining how much work would have to be done on the gear to make it spi n would make the gear lift an object with force.