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    Algorithms for Programming and Problem-Solving

                  Every robot, no matter how simple or advanced, needs a well-structured plan to carry out its task. Before a robot moves,
                  senses, or reacts, it must think logically — step by step — to decide what to do next. This logical plan is called an Algorithm.
                  In the same way that humans follow a recipe to cook a dish or a set of instructions to build a model, robots also follow
                  algorithms to perform actions precisely and efficiently.
                  In robotics, algorithms form the core intelligence behind every robot’s behaviour — whether it is a line-following robot, an
                  industrial arm assembling car parts, or a Mars Rover exploring the red planet.
                  At its core, an algorithm is a logical representation of a solution. It describes how to solve a problem, not how to code it. It
                  gives a clear roadmap from the starting point to the solution — something that both humans and computers can interpret.
                  Definition:

                  “An algorithm is a well-defined, step-by-step process designed to solve a problem or accomplish a specific task.”
                  Example:
                  Imagine a robot that must move forward until it detects an obstacle and then stop.
                  Algorithm:
                  1.  Start

                  2.  Activate the ultrasonic distance sensor
                  3.  Measure the distance to the nearest obstacle
                  4.  If distance > 20 cm   Move Forward
                  5.  If distance ≤ 20 cm   Stop
                  6.  Repeat the above steps until destination is reached
                  7.  End
                  Here, the robot’s thinking process is defined clearly — each step is logical and can be implemented as code later.

                  Importance of Algorithms in Robotics

                  Algorithms are the systematic flow of robotic systems. They help a robot:
                      Understand and analyse data received from sensors
                  u
                      Take logical decisions in real time
                  u
                      Execute tasks efficiently and consistently
                  u
                      Adapt to changes in the environment
                  u
                      Perform repetitive or complex operations without human intervention
                  u
                  From obstacle avoidance to voice recognition, from autonomous driving to robotic surgery — every robotic function starts
                  with an algorithm.

                  Characteristics of a Good Algorithm

                  A good algorithm must possess the following features:
                  1.  Finiteness: It should have a definite beginning and an end. The steps must be limited in number.
                  2.  Definiteness: Each step should be precisely and unambiguously defined.
                  3.   Input:  It  must  clearly  state  the  data  required  to  start  (for example,  sensor  readings,  distance  values, colour
                      input, etc.).
                  4.  Output: The result of processing the input — for example, motor movement, LED status, or an alert message.
                  5.  Effectiveness: The algorithm’s instructions should be simple, logical, and executable by the robot’s controller.
                  6.  Generalization: It should be applicable to similar problems, not just a single situation.

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                  Touchpad Robotics - XI

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