Page 136 - Toucpad robotics C11

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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