Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
14
23/9/04
12:40 PM
Page 313
14
Robotics and
automated
systems
Syllabus outcomes
5.2.1
5.2.2
5.2.3
Overview
This chapter provides an overview of robotics and automated
systems. It starts by examining robotics and the types, purpose and
use of robots. You will learn the function of robots including the
use of sensors and actuators. The second half of the chapter
describes automated control and automated systems.
23/9/04
12:40 PM
Page 314
14. 1 Robotics
314
23/9/04
12:40 PM
Page 315
Types of robots
Robots consist of industrial robots and domestic robots.
Industrial robots are automated machines that work on assembly
lines. They are designed to do exactly the same action over and over
again. For example, robots are used to weld panels on a car coming
down an assembly line (see Figure 14.2). Industrial robots need to
be taught each action. The exact sequence of actions is stored in a
program. Industrial robots are not restricted to one task. They can be
re-programmed to perform a different task, the same as a computer.
Domestic robots are mobile robots that work in homes and
businesses. Providing mobility for a
domestic robot is an important
consideration. Wheels or tracks are used
if robots are to move over smooth
ground. Rough terrain requires other
methods, such as building robots with
legs. Domestic robots have been
developed to vacuum a house when the
owner is asleep. They are being used in
hospitals to transport medications and in
museums to protect galleries. Researchers
are predicting robots will become a
normal part of everyday life in the near
future.
Figure 14.2 Robots in a car assembly line
14 Robotics and automated systems
315
23/9/04
12:40 PM
Page 316
Purpose of robots
Figure 14.3
Use of robots
Robots are used in a range of situations, such as the following:
Explorationinvolves robots exploring dangerous or remote
locations. Remote robots are commonly used for this task. The
robot is partly controlled using radio or infrared signals. The
operator directs the robot to go to a certain spot then the robot
uses its sensors to find its own way. Robots are used to explore
inside volcanos, other planets or to seek out landmines.
Assembly linea series of workstations that gradually produce a
product. Robots are used at these workstations to perform a
physical task such as welding, painting or part fitting. Robots
and people usually work together on the assembly line.
316
H I Te c h : I n f o r m a t i o n a n d S o f t w a r e Te c h n o l o g y
23/9/04
12:40 PM
Page 317
Exercise 14.1
1
Development
5
ICT 14.1
317
23/9/04
12:40 PM
Page 318
Figure 14.4
Sensors
Lit 7.1
318
23/9/04
12:40 PM
Page 319
Interactive
Actuators
An actuator performs the
physical action of the robot.
Some common actuators are
electric motors, stepper
motors, solenoids and
hydraulic pumps.
Electric motors are the
most common type of
actuators. Direct current
(DC) motors are capable Figure 14.5 Stepper motor
of high precision, fast
acceleration and high reliability. DC motors use battery power
and run continuously in one direction and then in the other
direction. AC motors use normal electrical power and do not
produce their greatest force until they achieve maximum speed.
Stepper motors (or step motors) allow movement in small
precise steps (see Figure 14.5). A stepper motor is used when
precise positioning is requiredit can move in either direction.
Stepper motors are not suitable for heavy loads.
A solenoid is a coil of wire around a magnet. When an electric
current passes through the wire, a magnetic field is generated.
This magnetic field moves the magnet one way or the other
14 Robotics and automated systems
319
Most successful
commercial robots
look like normal
machinery. They
are not androids as
depicted in many
movies and books.
23/9/04
12:40 PM
Page 320
Computer control
Robots are controlled using a processor. The
processor inside the robot is often a microcontroller.
A microcontroller is an integrated circuit with a
CPU, RAM, ROM, timers and input/output ports
(see Figure 14.6). A microcontroller has all the
components of a computer except that it is a
dedicated device. Microcontrollers are often
described as the heart of the robot.
Microcontrollers also can receive data from
sensors, store and process that data and send
the information to an actuator such as a motor.
A computer is often used to give instructions to
the microcontroller. The computer transmits
infrared or radio signals to the microcontroller.
Figure 14.6 A microcontroller controls
the robot
Software
Robot software is designed to give the user total control of a robot.
The software allows the user to control the movement of the robot
while it intelligently avoids obstacles, builds a map for the robot,
sends the robot into specific areas, allows the user to control the
320
H I Te c h : I n f o r m a t i o n a n d S o f t w a r e Te c h n o l o g y
23/9/04
12:40 PM
Page 321
robot from the Internet and to see and hear what the robot sees
and hears. Robots are also given instructions using a variety of
programming languages.
Non-procedural languages such as LISP and Prolog are used
with complex robots to allow them to make intelligent responses.
The programmer specifies what to do and the system determines
how to do it. Common high level languages such as BASIC are also
used to program robots. They require the programmer to specify
every action using a series of commands. Microcontrollers can be
purchased with the BASIC language built into their integrated
circuit. The user downloads their programs for the robot using
their personal computer.
Lit 7.2
Exercise 14.2
1
Development
5
321
23/9/04
12:40 PM
Page 322
People visualise
the motor vehicle
assembly line
when thinking
of automation.
The progress of
automation in
the motor vehicle
industry has been
a springboard for
other industries.
Historical perspective
The development of automation started in the second half of the
eighteenth century in the textile industry (see Figure 14.7). JosephMarie Jacquard perfected an automated looming machine to repeat
the repetitive work on looms by weavers. Products before this time
were still custom made with manually operated machine tools. The
industrial revolution applied the concept of automation from the
textile industry to many other industries. Technology was developed
to build machines that copied the motions of the worker. These
machines were motorised and resulted in the factory system of
production. Workers and machines needed to be located near a
power source.
Automation resulted in better and cheaper goods and services.
The motor vehicle industry adopted the automation concept in the
1920s. Automation out-produced thousands of workers and
resulted in more affordable cars. The invention of the electronic
322
H I Te c h : I n f o r m a t i o n a n d S o f t w a r e Te c h n o l o g y
23/9/04
12:40 PM
Page 323
323
23/9/04
12:40 PM
Page 324
Project: Robot
Amy Nguyen is interested in robotics and wants to build a robot. She
has no previous knowledge about robots. The aim of the project is to
create a simple robot that will be able to move around obstacles in her
house. The robot is to be controlled using her PC.
Tasks
1
Exercise 14.3
1
324
True or false?
a Automated computer devices use a feedback principle.
b Automation is the application of machines to tasks once
performed by people.
c The motor vehicle industry adopted the automation concept in
the 1950s.
d Automation has increased the production of most goods and
lowered their costs.
Copy and complete the following by replacing the letter in brackets
with a suitable term:
The application of automated (a) to industrial processes is called
automation. The development of automation has become
dependent on (b) technology. This has resulted in (c) systems that
have become increasingly sophisticated and (d).
H I Te c h : I n f o r m a t i o n a n d S o f t w a r e Te c h n o l o g y
23/9/04
12:40 PM
Page 325
Development
5
Sensing devices
Sensors are input devices that measure data from the environment.
They send data to a processor that issues commands to an actuator.
Sensors are used in a range of situations such as red-light traffic
systems, car navigation systems and security systems.
Red-light traffic systems are used to catch drivers who pass
through a red light. The system has three essential components: a
digital camera, a trigger and a microcontroller. The digital cameras
are positioned at the corner of an intersection. The cameras are
pointed at cars driving through the intersection. A trigger is set
off when a car has moved past a particular point in the intersection.
A microcontroller is located in the camera. It constantly monitors
the traffic signals and the trigger. If a car has set off the trigger and
the traffic light is red then the microcontroller instructs the camera
325
Figure 14.9
23/9/04
12:40 PM
Page 326
Types of actuators
Actuators perform a physical action and are used in a range of
situations such as opening and closing automatic doors. Automatic
doors are opened and closed using motion sensors and an actuator.
The motion sensor is located in a box above the doors. The motion
sensor sends out microwaves and waits for the reflected energy to
326
H I Te c h : I n f o r m a t i o n a n d S o f t w a r e Te c h n o l o g y
23/9/04
12:40 PM
Page 327
Controlling devices
A microprocessor is a CPU
contained on one integrated
circuit. Microprocessors are
used in many automated
systems such as televisions,
refrigerators, microwave
ovens and washing machines
(see Figure 14.10). These
devices are controlled by a
program stored in the
microprocessor on one
integrated circuit. The
microprocessor decides how
the device should respond to Figure 14.10 Microprocessor used in a refrigerator
the data collected from a
sensing device. Microprocessors are used for control since they are
small, cheap and reliable. Automated systems may have more than
one controller.
A controller receives information from an input device such as a
sensor and changes the output if required. The output is the signal
sent to an actuator. A controller does not have to be complicated.
A variable resistor attached to a light dimmer switch is an example
of a controller. When the strength of the resistor is adjusted, the
size of the current flowing through to the light is altered. The
controlling device may also be a microcontroller. A microcontroller
is an integrated circuit with a CPU, RAM, ROM, timers and
input/output ports. It has all the components of a computer except
it is a dedicated device.
327
23/9/04
12:40 PM
Page 328
Exercise 14.4
1
Development
5
ICT 14.2
328
H I Te c h : I n f o r m a t i o n a n d S o f t w a r e Te c h n o l o g y
23/9/04
12:41 PM
Page 329
329
23/9/04
12:41 PM
Page 330
Industrial robot
Microcontroller
Microprocessor
Robot
Sensor
330
H I Te c h : I n f o r m a t i o n a n d S o f t w a r e Te c h n o l o g y