1.7.2

Robotics

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Robotics

Robotics helps create machines that can perform tasks automatically or with little human intervention.

What is robotics?

What is robotics?

  • Robotics is a branch of computer science and engineering.
    • It involves the design, construction, and operation of robots.
  • Robots are used in a wide range of fields to do jobs that are dangerous, repetitive, or difficult for humans.
  • They can work automatically or be controlled by humans.
    • Examples: factory robots, drones, domestic cleaning robots
Characteristics of robots

Characteristics of robots

  • A mechanical structure or framework:
    • The physical body of the robot, which allows movement
    • Example: wheels, arms, legs
  • Electrical components:
    • The "brain" and "nervous system" of the robot.
    • Sensors collect information from the environment
    • Microprocessors process information and make decisions
    • Actuators carry out physical actions
  • Programmability:
    • Robots follow instructions given through computer programmes on how to act and react
Roles and uses of robots

Roles and uses of robots

  • Industry:
    • Robotic arms are used in car manufacturing to weld parts or assemble vehicles.
  • Transport:
    • Self-driving vehicles and drones are used for deliveries and logistics.
  • Agriculture:
    • Automated harvesting and crop monitoring can increase farming efficiency.
More roles and uses of robots

More roles and uses of robots

  • Medicine:
    • Surgical robots assist doctors with operations and can deliver medicines in hospitals.
  • Domestic settings:
    • Robotic vacuum cleaners and smart lawnmowers are used to clean homes.
  • Entertainment:
    • Robots are used in theme parks and in the creation of special effects in films.
Advantages of robots

Advantages of robots

  • Robots can perform repetitive tasks with a high degree of precision and speed.
    • This reduces human errors.
  • Robots can work in dangerous environments that are unsafe for humans.
    • Example: Dealing with hazardous materials; Working in extreme temperatures
  • Robots can work nonstop without needing breaks or sleep, which increases productivity.
  • Their consistent performance leads to more uniform and higher-quality products.
Disadvantages of robots

Disadvantages of robots

  • The design, purchase, and maintenance of robots can be very expensive.
  • As more businesses adopt robots, human workers may lose their jobs.
  • A robot can only do what it has been programmed to do – they cannot adapt to unexpected situations.
  • If a robot breaks down, it might:
    • Stop important operations
    • Require a costly specialist to fix it
Jump to other topics
1

Computer Systems

1.1

Data Representation

1.1.1Binary Numbers1.1.2Negative Binary Numbers1.1.3Hexadecimal1.1.4Using Hexadecimal1.1.5Converting Binary & Hexadecimal1.1.6Converting Denary & Hexadecimal1.1.7Capacity1.1.8Calculating Capacity Requirements1.1.9Binary in Computer Systems1.1.10Data Compression1.1.11Run Length Encoding1.1.12File Formats
1.2

Data Transmission

1.2.1Packet Switching1.2.2Data Transmission1.2.3Universal Serial Bus (USB)1.2.4Parity Check1.2.5Checksum & Echo Checks1.2.6Encryption
1.3

Hardware

1.3.1Elements of Computer Systems1.3.2Types of Computer System1.3.3Von Neumann Architecture1.3.4The Fetch, Decode, Execute Cycle1.3.5Factors Affecting CPU Performance1.3.6Computational Logic1.3.7Input Devices1.3.82D & 3D Scanners1.3.9Code Readers1.3.10Solid State Storage1.3.11Magnetic Storage1.3.12Examples of Magnetic Storage1.3.13Optical Storage1.3.14Examples of Optical Storage1.3.15Types of Optical disk1.3.16Storage Requirements1.3.17Translation - Compilers1.3.18Translation - Interpreters1.3.19Translation - Assemblers1.3.20Acoustic Sensors1.3.21Flow Sensors1.3.22Gas Sensors1.3.23Humidity Sensors1.3.24Infrared Sensors1.3.25Level Sensors1.3.26Light Sensors1.3.27Magnetic Field Sensors1.3.28Moisture Sensors1.3.29pH Sensors1.3.30Pressure Sensors1.3.31Proximity Sensors1.3.32Temperature Sensors1.3.33Network Hardware
1.4

Software

1.4.1Operating Systems1.4.2Interrupts1.4.3High-Level Languages1.4.4Low-Level Languages
1.5

The Internet & its Uses

1.5.1The Internet1.5.2Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)1.5.3DNS1.5.4HTML1.5.5Cookies1.5.6Web Hosting1.5.7Digital Currency
1.6

Cyber Security

1.6.1Forms of Attack1.6.2Penetration Testing1.6.3Types of Malware1.6.4How Malware Spreads1.6.5Protecting Against Malware1.6.6Information Security1.6.7Structured Query Language (SQL) Injection1.6.8Firewalls1.6.9Authentication: User Access Levels1.6.10Authentication: Passwords1.6.11Social Engineering1.6.12Phishing1.6.13Denial of Service Attacks
1.7

Automated & Emerging Technologies

1.7.1Automated Systems1.7.2Robotics1.7.3Artificial Intelligence
2

Algorithms, Programming & Logic

2.1

Algorithm Design & Problem Solving

2.1.1Computational Thinking - Abstraction2.1.2Computational Thinking - Decomposition2.1.3Computational Thinking - Algorithmic Thinking2.1.4Pseudocode2.1.5Flow Diagrams2.1.6Interpreting, Correcting & Completing Algorithm2.1.7Correcting Algorithms2.1.8Completing Algorithms2.1.9Testing2.1.10Types of Testing2.1.11Test Plans2.1.12Validation & Sanitation2.1.13Authentication & Contingencies
2.2

Programming

2.2.1Programming Fundamentals - Variables & Constants2.2.2Programming Fundamentals - Comments2.2.3Programming Fundamentals - Input & Output2.2.4Data Types2.2.5Casting2.2.6Controlling Program Flow - Sequence2.2.7Controlling Program Flow - Selection2.2.8Controlling Program Flow - Iteration2.2.9Modularity - Subroutines2.2.10Modularity - Scope2.2.11Arrays
2.3

Databases

2.3.1Structuring Data - Records2.3.2Structuring Data - Databases2.3.3SQL
2.4

Boolean Logic

2.4.1Binary Systems2.4.2Logic Circuits2.4.3Truth Tables2.4.4Evaluating Expressions2.4.5Boolean Operators2.4.6End of Topic Test - Logic

Practice questions on Robotics

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  1. 1
    Which of the following is an example of a robot used in a domestic setting?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Disadvantages of using robots in industry:Fill in the list
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Automated Systems

Artificial Intelligence