Main Uses of Robotics

1.

Military Services: Military robots are some of the most high-tech and important robots
used today. These state-of-the-art machines save lives by performing extremely
dangerous tasks without endangering humans. Some common robots used by the
military are Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) robots, which are capable of examining
suspicious packages and surrounding areas to find and even deactivate improvised
explosive devices (IEDs) and mines. They can even deliver unexploded ordinance for
examination and proper detonation. The military also uses unmanned aerial vehicles for
reconnaissance missions, to scope out enemy movements, find hidden explosives and
give the Air Force a wide-angle surveillance of their battlespace.

2.

Car Production: Robots are used in the automobile industry to assist in building cars.
These high-powered machines have mechanical arms with tools, wheels and sensors
that make them ideal for assembly line jobs. Not only do robots save more money in
manufacturing costs, but they also perform tough tasks at a pace no human could
possibly do. Robots also make car manufacturing safer because they can take on
dangerous and difficult jobs in place of humans. Automotive industry robots are capable
of performing a wide range of tasks such as installation, painting and welding, and
arent restricted by fatigue or health risks, therefore making them an incredibly useful
and irreplaceable part of car production.

3.

Space Exploration: One of the most amazing areas of robotics is the use of robots in
space. These state-of-the-art machines give astronauts the chance to explore space in
the most mind-boggling ways. The most commonly used space robots are the Remotely
Operated Vehicle (ROV) and the Remote Manipulator System (RMS), which are both
used in a variety of space missions. ROVs can be unmanned spacecraft that orbit freely
or land when it makes contact with an outer space surface and explore the terrain. Both
capture remarkable data and visual footage that would never be humanly possible
without the assistance of robots. RMS mechanical arms also help astronauts perform
very important and difficult tasks during space missions.

4.

Remote and Minimally-Invasive Surgery: Robot-assisted surgery has truly changed

the face of medicine by expanding surgeons capabilities in ways no human could.
Surgical robots are directed by human surgeons who use a computer console to move
instruments attached to robot arms. The surgeons movements are translated by a
computer and then performed on the patient by the robot. Todays surgical robots are
so advanced that its possible for surgeons to perform remote surgery without
physically being in the operating room or even in the same country! Robot-assisted
surgery has improved the limitations of minimally invasive surgery and has many
advantages over traditional open surgery, including greater precision, smaller incisions,
less pain and decreased blood loss. Surgical robots, such as the da Vinci Surgical
System, are used for gynecologic, colorectal, prostate, throat cancer surgeries, as well
as bariatric surgery, angioplasty and bypass surgery.

5.

Underwater Exploration: Underwater robots have radically changed the way we see
the world from the ocean floor. Underwater robots can dive longer and deeper than any
human, and they provide an up-close look at marine life. These amazing machines are
equipped with sensors, high-definition cameras, wheels and other technology to assist
scientists when they explore docks, ocean floors, dams, ship bellies and other surfaces.
The most common underwater robots used today are the remote-operated vehicles
(ROVs) that are controlled by humans sitting in the command center. ROVs are

connected by cable to ships and are the best tool for gathering data and images of life
under water.
6.

Duct Cleaning: Duct cleaning is done best by a robot that can actually fit into these
hazardous and tight spaces. Robots provide a more effective and efficient cleaning than
manual brushes. Its also safer for industrial and institutional markets to use robots
because workers are not exposed to harmful chemicals or enzymes that come from dust
mites. Duct cleaning robots are used in hospitals and government buildings that may
have hazardous or contaminated environments, as well as embassies and prisons for a
shorter and more secure cleaning. Using duct cleaning robots translates to quicker,
safer, cheaper and more effective duct cleanings without the need of a human.

7.

Fight Crime: Police robots help fight crime without risking the lives of police officers.
Law enforcement officers use an array of high-tech and remote-controlled robots that
are equipped with front and back cameras, infrared lighting and a speaker to search for
criminals and find their location without endangering a police officer. State-of-the-art
tools like the Robotex robot is waterproof, can climb stairs and flip itself over and has a
360-degree camera to help catch criminals. Other equipment, such as the Andros F6-A,
are used by police agencies during hostage situations. This heavy-duty robot is capable
of shooting off a water cannon or weapon in order to detain a criminal and protect those
who are in danger.

8.

Fix Oil Spills: As we saw in the 2010 BP oil spill, robots play a critical role in fixing oil
spills. Underwater robots are used to explore the well site and interact with the
problematic equipment. Engineers use remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) that dive to
great depths and stay submerged for much longer than any human ever could. ROVs
are remote-controlled submarines that are operated by humans sitting in the command
center. These high-tech robots are connected by cable to ships and are used to collect
video footage and information from fiber-optic sensors that help engineers better
understand the problem and intervene when necessary. ROVs have hydraulic arms with
interchangeable tools, such as saws and cutters, which are used for intervention tasks.
Even after the well is capped, robots are used to patrol the well site and make sure oil is
no longer escaping.

9.

Investigating Hazardous Environments: Robots have become increasingly

important for investigating and researching hazardous and dangerous environments.
These robots are capable of entering an active volcano to collect data or a burning
building to search for victims. Robots such as the Scout Throwable Robot are used by
law enforcement agencies and fire departments to help find information about people
stuck inside a building, and even have the ability to detect grenades or explosives in
the area. These unmanned robots also save lives because they prevent people from
having to enter the hazardous environment before they knowing what to expect.

10. Commercialized Agriculture: Farming has been performed by man since the
beginning of time, but throughout the years robots have been introduced to the world of
commercial agriculture. Like manufacturing jobs, robots have the ability to work faster,
longer and more efficiently than humans in agriculture. Robots remove the human
factor from this labor intensive and difficult work. They can be taught to navigate
through farmland and harvest crops on their own. Robots can also be used for
horticulture needs, such as pruning, weeding, spraying pesticide and monitoring the
growth of plants.

Social and Ethical Issues with Robots

Ethical implications
Robots appeared in fiction as early as 1917, and by the 1920s writers were already
depicting the robot as a mechanical worker or servant that could be either an aid or a
menace to humanity. The word robot was first used in the 1921 play R U R (Rossum's
Universal Robots), by Czech writer, Karel Capek.
Remember that in Mary Shelley's novel Dr Frankenstein was so terrified of his creation
that he ran away, leaving the 'monster' to fend for himself, with nobody to care for him
and teach him. The creation carried out a terrible plan of revenge on its maker. The
message in this is a question of ethics. If we start making creatures that are alive and
intelligent, then we have to start thinking about how we will treat them, or suffer the
consequences.

Three Laws of Robotics

In I, Robot Isaac Asimov discussed the behaviour and thoughts of robots and devised
Three Laws of Robotics. A robot:

may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human to come to
harm

must obey orders given to him by human beings except where such orders would
conflict with the First Law

must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with
the First or Second Law. (Asimov, 1950: 8)

Activity
Discuss why these laws may be important for an owner of an Aibo.
Social implications
Since the introduction of automation in industry (the first major automation was
achieved on weaving looms, and its opponents were called luddites) there has been an
understandable fear of the introduction of technology. Automated looms were designed
to do the same job as the weavers. Thousands of workers lost their jobs when these
machines were introduced. More recently the introduction (from 1980) of automated
tellers has displaced thousands of jobs in the banking industry.
Labour-intensive heavy industries were quick to adopt robotic technologies in the
interests of perceived efficiencies, safety and economy. Robots can work round the clock,
are easier to repair, don't get sick and don't require staff amenities. Replacing people
with robots was seen as a way of reducing labour costs, workers' compensation and
union influence. The replacement of people by automated systems contributes to
unemployment in society, especially for the most disadvantaged group unskilled
workers which can result in long-term unemployment.
Robots have also created new jobs directly and can create wealth, leading to the
development of new industries and jobs.

How would you declare a variable in Java

What is an if statement in Java?

An if statement can be followed by an optional else statement, which
executes when the Boolean expression is false.

Syntax:
The syntax of an if...else is:
if(Boolean_expression){
//Executes when the Boolean expression is true
}else{
//Executes when the Boolean expression is false
}

If the boolean expression evaluates to true, then the if block of code will
be executed, otherwise else block of code will be executed.

Flow Diagram

Example:

public class Test {

public static void main(String args[]){

int x = 30;

if( x < 20 ){
System.out.print("This is if statement");
}else{
System.out.print("This is else statement");
}
}
}

This would produce the following result:

This is else statement

The if...else if...else Statement:

An if statement can be followed by an optional else if...else statement,
which is very useful to test various conditions using single if...else if
statement.
When using if , else if , else statements there are few points to keep in
mind.

An if can have zero or one else's and it must come after any else if's.

An if can have zero to many else if's and they must come before the else.

Once an else if succeeds, none of the remaining else if's or else's will be
tested.

Syntax:
The syntax of an if...else is:
if(Boolean_expression 1){
//Executes when the Boolean expression 1 is true
}else if(Boolean_expression 2){
//Executes when the Boolean expression 2 is true

}else if(Boolean_expression 3){

//Executes when the Boolean expression 3 is true
}else {
//Executes when the none of the above condition is true.
}

Example:
public class Test {

public static void main(String args[]){

int x = 30;

if( x == 10 ){
System.out.print("Value of X is 10");
}else if( x == 20 ){
System.out.print("Value of X is 20");
}else if( x == 30 ){
System.out.print("Value of X is 30");
}else{
System.out.print("This is else statement");
}
}
}

This would produce the following result:

Value of X is 30

What is a Good design

According to Rams, the ten principle for good design are that your
product will be:
1. Innovative. Not innovative for innovations sake, but
innovative hand-in-hand with innovative technology.

2. Useful. You want your product to be used. Why would you

design it and include anything that would get in the way of
that?
3. Aesthetic. A product should be beautiful. Your intent is that it
is used often, daily even. You dont want to affect peoples lives
negatively by having them become accustomed to an ugly
product.
4. Understandable. A products design is part of what helps its
user understand how to use it. They work together.
5. Unobtrusive. A product should force itself on the user. It
should be pleasing to look at, but not demand attention other
than the fact that it is useful.
6. Honest. Products should look like what they are. They
shouldnt have a facade that makes them appear to be more or
less than what they are meant to do.
7. Long-lasting. Quite simply, trends dont last. Products that
are trendy will soon look ridiculous and aged. Good design is
ageless.
8. Detailed focused. No guessing on if the user will figure it ou.
Every detail of how the product will be used is considered
important.
9. Environmentally friendly. Design to use as few resources as
possible. But also, does your product fit in with the
environment it will be in? Is it a sign that clashes with the place
it will end up?

10.

Have as little design as possible. Forget the frills and

excess. Design what is necessary to make a beautiful product

that is easy to use. No more.
What does it look like when you put it all into practice? Whether
youre designing for the web, print, or products, these ten principles
apply.
These guidelines are good to use when youre looking at your work
and youre not sure if you like what see. Just ask yourself one of the
principles in the form of a questions (e.g. Is it honest?) and see
how you answer that question. By asking the right questions, youll
be able to zero in on what you need to change.

NXT PROGRAMMING