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Page 136 - Toucpad robotics C11
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    Example: A robotic surgeon relies on precise feedback control to ensure its instruments move exactly as
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                      commanded, to within fractions of a millimetre.
                  Efficiency
                      How: Well-tuned  control  systems  minimise  wasted  movement,  reduce  oscillations,  and  ensure  motors  operate
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                      efficiently. By quickly reaching and holding a target, energy is conserved. AI-driven control can optimise paths and
                      movements for energy efficiency.
                      Example: In a manufacturing robot, efficient control algorithms minimise the time taken for each cycle and the
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                      energy consumed per pick-and-place operation, leading to higher throughput and lower operating costs.
                  Safety
                      How: Safety-critical  control systems  incorporate  redundant sensors and safety  algorithms.  If  a robot  detects
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                      an unexpected obstacle via proximity sensors or an unexpected force via force sensors, the control system can
                      immediately trigger an emergency stop or reduce speed. In collaborative robots, precise force control ensures they
                      don’t harm humans.
                      Example: A collaborative robot working alongside humans will use its control system to monitor its own speed and
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                      the presence of humans. If a human enters its designated safe zone, the control system might immediately slow down
                      its arm movement or even stop completely to prevent any accidental contact.
                  Lastly, Control systems are the silent architects behind every successful robotic operation. By continuously sensing the
                  robot’s state, comparing it to its goals, and making intelligent adjustments, these systems ensure that robots are not just
                  automated machines but capable, precise, and safe partners in an increasingly automated world. A strong understanding
                  of control system principles is therefore indispensable for anyone venturing into the field of robotics.

                                                            ROBOT DYNAMICS
                        Actuators = devices that cause movement.

                        DC motors convert electrical energy into mechanical energy.
                        Servo motors = precise angle control.
                        Stepper motors = move in fixed steps.
                        Sensors (IR, Ultrasonic) help robots perceive the environment.
                        Controllers = brain that processes signals.

                        Open-loop = no feedback; Closed-loop = uses feedback.
                        PWM controls motor speed.
                        Feedback increases accuracy and efficiency.
                        Integration of actuators, sensors, and controllers makes robots functional.

                     RESEARCH ACTIVITY                                                             21 st
                                                                                                  Century   #Experiential Learning
                                                                                                   Skills
                    These activities combine actuators (motors), sensors (perception), and control systems (decision-making)—
                    the three pillars of a robot s functioning.
                    1.  DC Motor vs. Servo Motor Practical Comparison
                       ∑   Task: Take two small motors (a DC motor and a hobby servo, both available in robotics kits or online).
                           Research their specifications (torque, speed, control type, cost). If available, connect them to an Arduino
                           and test:
                           §   DC motor: run continuously with PWM speed control.
                           §   Servo motor: rotate to angles like 0°, 90°, 180°.

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                  Touchpad Robotics - XI

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