Page 21 - RoboGenius Pro C8
P. 21
Robots consist of several key components, including arms or manipulators sensors, actuators and
controllers. The controller acts as the main processing unit, enabling the communication between
these components. Its main role is to interpret the information received from one part of the robot
to another. The task the robot is designed to perform is the input, while the task it actually carries
out is the output. Sensors detect and send signals as information, helping the robot understand
its environment.
BUILDING BLOCKS OF ROBOTS
A robot is made up of three main parts or blocks: mechanical, electronic and computational.
These blocks work together to give a robot its abilities and functions.
Robot
Mechanical Block Electronic Block Computational Block
Body Joints Actuators Software Algorithms
Sensors Microcontrollers Circuits
Building Blocks of Robots
Mechanical Block
The mechanical block includes the physical parts of the robot such as the body, joints and
actuators. It allows the robot to move and interact with its surroundings. For example, motors
help a robot walk, turn or lift objects.
Different robots have different mechanical designs — humanoid robots have multiple joints to
move like humans, drones have light frames to fly and underwater robots have waterproof
sealed, pressure-resistant bodies with propellers for movement.
Electronic Block
The electronic block helps the robot sense, process and respond to its environment. It includes
sensors, microcontrollers and circuits. Sensors act as the robot’s eyes and ears, allowing it to
detect light, sound, distance or movement. The electronic block collects this data and sends it to
the controller for processing.
For instance, drones use cameras and GPS, underwater robots use sonar and mobile robots use
sensors to detect obstacles.
Computational Block
The computational block is like the robot’s brain. It includes software and algorithms that process
information, make decisions and control the robot’s actions.
Robot as a System
19
