Introduction to the Evolution of Robotics

This course introduces you to the evolution of robotics and covers the fundamentals of this complex engineering field and industrial technology. You will learn that, as a controversial subject, robotics is often misrepresented in the popular media by both advocates and opponents. You will also discover that a ‘robot’ used to be defined as, ‘a software-controlled mechanical device that uses sensors to guide one or more end effectors through programmed motions in a workspace in order to manipulate physical objects’. Today, this definition is outdated as robotics includes such a wide variety of perspectives and interests that no single definition can truly cover all its forms and uses. It is now generally defined as, ‘the intelligent connection of perception to action’.

Next, you will discover that robotics gave rise to three fundamental laws connected to harming humans, obeying orders and protecting a robots’ own existence. Analyze the Law of Zeroth and how the rise of robotics has given rise to various myths, and the actual facts around them. For example, is it a myth that robotics’ intention is to eliminate humans’ jobs? Is it a myth that robots are very expensive? This course will look at these myths and consider the facts around them.

Finally, you will be taught the three main categories of robots. Some robots are used in industry, especially manufacturing operations such as welding, assembly and painting. They are known as industrial robots or ‘manipulators’. Others are used in fields and services like humanoids, medical robots and walking robots. It is worthy to note that rehabilitation robotics is a field of research dedicated to understanding and augmenting rehabilitation through the application of robotic devices. Rehabilitation robotics includes the development of robotic therapies, and the use of robots as therapy aids instead of solely assistive devices. The third main category is our of use of them in entertainment and education. You will also learn about manipulator kinematics, the important position-and-velocity relationship in robotics. Finally, analyze the homogeneous transformation matrix for determining the position and orientation of an object. Students specializing in mechanical engineering or robotics will find this course particularly interesting, as well industrialists wanting to learn more about the technical aspects of industrialist robots.