Page 19 - Toucpad robotics C11

Example: Consider a robotic vacuum cleaner. Its mechanical structure includes wheels (driven by electric motors acting
as actuators) for movement, and a rotating brush or suction nozzle as its end-effector to clean the floor.

AI Can Write, But It's Not Human Thought
AI chatbots (like me!) can write essays, poems, and even code. But here’s the catch:
AI doesn’t “understand” what it writes—it generates text by predicting word patterns from
BRAINY its training data. It’s like an ultra-smart mirror reflecting human knowledge. This makes AI
FACT
incredibly powerful for brainstorming, summarizing, or answering questions—but it’s not
the same as human thinking, which is driven by curiosity, emotions, and
lived experiences.

The Sleepy Robot
Somewhere in India, a robot police assistant was designed to work round the clock, no sleep.
When asked why it never got tired, it replied, “My battery drains, but I don’t know what sleep
means!” A constable, caught napping on duty, told the robot, “Try resting your circuits some
day!” The robot responded, “Machines don’t nap, but I’ll try.”
actual funny
incidents Learning: Robots don’t tire, but humans do—so take breaks and balance work.

Control System (The Brain)

This is the intellectual core of the robot, responsible for processing information, making decisions, and sending commands
to the mechanical parts.
Processor/Computer: This is the central processing unit (CPU) or an embedded computer that acts as the robot’s
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brain. It executes the instructions given in the robot’s program, performs calculations, and manages data flow from
sensors to actuators. Modern robots often use powerful multi-core processors, sometimes even specialised AI chips,
to handle complex computations quickly.
Software/Algorithms: This is the set of instructions, rules, and procedures that tell the robot what to do.
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Operating System: Similar to the OS on your computer or phone, managing the robot’s hardware and software
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resources.
Control Algorithms: These algorithms determine how the robot moves, how it maintains stability, and how it
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performs its tasks precisely.
AI Algorithms: Increasingly, advanced algorithms for perception, learning, planning, and decision-making are
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integrated.
Programming Languages: Robots are programmed using various languages, depending on their complexity and
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application. Common languages include:
C++: Often used for high-performance applications where speed and efficiency are critical (e.g., real-time control).
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Python: Popular for its simplicity and extensive libraries, especially in AI and machine learning for robotics.
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Specialised Robotic Languages: Manufacturers often have their own proprietary languages for their specific
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robot models.
Example: In a self-driving car, the control system continuously receives data from various sensors (like cameras and
radar). Its processor uses sophisticated software and AI algorithms (programmed in languages like C++ or Python) to
interpret this data, identify obstacles, predict movements of other vehicles, and then send precise commands to the
steering wheel, brakes, and accelerator (its actuators).

17
Introduction to Robots: What Exactly are They?