## Robotics Technology Robotics is an interdisciplinary sector of science and engineering dedicated to the design, construction and use of mechanical robots. The guide [1] provides a concrete grasp of robotics, including different types of robots and how they are being applied across industries. ### What Is Robotics? Robotics is the intersection of science, engineering, and technology that produces machines called robots that substitute for (or replicate) human actions. While the overall world of robotics is expanding, a robot has some consistent characteristics: 1. Robots all consist of some sort of mechanical construction. The mechanical aspect of a robot helps it complete tasks in the environment for which it is designed. For example, the Mars 2020 Rover’s wheels are individually motorized and made of titanium tubing that help it firmly grip the harsh terrain of the red planet. 2. Robots need electrical components that control and power the machinery. Essentially, an electric current (such as a battery) is needed to power a majority of robots. 3. Robots contain at least some level of computer programming. Without a set of code telling it what to do, a robot would just be another piece of simple machinery. Inserting a program into a robot gives it the ability to know when and how to carry out a task. ### Types of Robots Mechanical bots come in all shapes and sizes to efficiently carry out the task for which they are designed. From the 0.2 millimeter-long “RoboBee” to the 200 meter-long robotic shipping vessel “Vindskip,” robots are emerging to carry out tasks that humans simply cannot. In general, there are five types of robots: #### Pre-Programmed Robots Pre-programmed robots operate in a controlled environment where they do simple, monotonous tasks. An example of a pre-programmed robot would be a mechanical arm on an automotive assembly line. The arm serves one function — to weld a door on, to insert a certain part into the engine, etc. — and it's job is to perform that task longer, faster, and more efficiently than a human. #### Humanoid Robots Humanoid robots are robots that look like and/or mimic human behavior. These robots usually perform human-like activities (such as running, jumping and carrying objects), and are sometimes designed to look like us, even having human faces and expressions. Two of the most prominent examples of humanoid robots are Hanson Robotics’ Sophia (in the video above) and Boston Dynamics’ Atlas. #### Autonomous Robots Autonomous robots operate independently of human operators. These robots are usually designed to carry out tasks in open environments that do not require human supervision. An example of an autonomous robot would be the Roomba vacuum cleaner which uses sensors to roam throughout a home freely. #### Teleoperated Robots Teleoperated robots are mechanical bots controlled by humans. These robots usually work in extreme geographical conditions, weather, circumstances, etc. Examples of teleoperated robots are the human-controlled submarines used to fix underwater pipe leaks during the BP oil spill or drones used to detect landmines on a battlefield. #### Augmenting Robots Augmenting robots either enhance current human capabilities or replace the capabilities a human may have lost. Some examples of augmenting robots are robotic prosthetic limbs or exoskeletons used to lift hefty weights. ---------- ## Types of Robots 1. Articulated Robots - Pick and Place - Machine Tending - Assembly - Welding - Packaging - Palletizing - Inspection - Material Removal - Dispensing An articulated robot is the type of robot that comes to mind when most people think about robots. Much like CNC mills, articulated robots are classified by the number of points of rotation or axes they have. The most common is the 6-axis articulated robot, but there are also 4- and 7-axis units on the market. Flexibility, dexterity, and reach make articulated robots ideally suited for tasks that span non-parallel planes, such as machine tending. Articulated robots can also easily reach into a machine tool compartment and under obstructions to gain access to a workpiece (or even around an obstruction, in the case of a 7-axis robot). Sealed joints and protective sleeves allow articulated robots to excel in clean and dirty environments alike. The potential for mounting an articulated robot on any surface (such as a ceiling, a sliding rail) accommodates a wide range of working options. The sophistication of an articulated robot comes with a higher cost compared to other robot types with similar payloads. And articulated robots are less suited than other types of robots for very high-speed applications due to their more complex kinematics and relatively higher component mass. 2. SCARA Robots - Pick and Place - Assembly - Inspection - Packaging - Dispensing A Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm (SCARA) is a good (and cost-effective) choice for performing operations between two parallel planes (such as transferring parts from a tray to a conveyor). SCARA robots excel at vertical assembly tasks such as inserting pins without binding due to their vertical rigidity. SCARA robots are lightweight and have small footprints, making them ideal for applications in crowded spaces. They are also capable of very fast cycle times. Due to their fixed swing arm design, which is an advantage in certain applications, SCARA robots face limitations when it comes to tasks that require working around or reaching inside objects such as fixtures, jigs, or machine tools within a work cell. 3. Delta Robots - Pick and Place - Assembly - Inspection Delta robots or _spider robots_ use three base-mounted motors to actuate control arms that position the wrist. Basic delta robots are 3-axis units, but 4- and 6-axis models are also available. By mounting the actuators on or close to the stationary base instead of at each joint (as in the case of an articulated robot), a delta robot’s arm can be very lightweight. This allows for rapid movement which makes delta robots ideal for very high-speed operations involving light loads. An important thing to note as you compare delta robots to other robot types: Reach for delta robots is typically defined by the diameter of the working range, as opposed to the radius from the base, as in the case of articulated and SCARA units. For example, a delta robot with a 40” reach would only have half the reach (20” on a radius) of a 40” articulated or SCARA unit. 4. Cartesian Robots - Pick and Place - Dispensing - Assembly - Inspection Cartesian robots typically consist of three or more linear actuators assembled to fit a particular application. Positioned above a workspace, cartesian robots can be elevated to maximize floor space and accommodate a wide range of workpiece sizes. When placed on an elevated structure suspended over two parallel rails, cartesian robots are referred to as _gantry robots_. Cartesian robots typically use standard linear actuators and mounting brackets, minimizing the cost and complexity of any “custom” cartesian system. Higher capacity units can also be integrated with other robots (such as articulated robots) as “end- effectors” to increase system capabilities. The custom nature of cartesian robots can make design, specification, and programming challenging or out of reach for smaller manufacturers intent on a “DIY” approach to robotics implementation. Cartesian robots are unable to reach into or around obstacles easily. Their exposed sliding mechanisms make them less suited for dusty/dirty environments. ## References [1]: [Robotics Technology](https://builtin.com/robotics) [2]: [4 Types of Robots Every Manufacturer Should Know](https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/4-types-robots-every-manufacturer-should-know)