ROBOTICS

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Intro:

When you think about the word robotics, the first words that probably come to mind are robots (duh), computers, science, design, operating, and programing. All of these answers are correct. The more specific term would be, “A branch of mechanical , electrical engineering that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots, as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback, and information processing.” The word robotics was first used by Isaac Asimov, a famous sci-fi writer in 1941. A robot is considered any programmable device that performs certain tasks that we program it to do. In his story, Asimov describes three laws of robotics, that are still strongly taken into consideration today. These laws are:

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, allow a human being to come to harm.

2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except orders that conflict with the First Law.

3. A robot must protect its own existence as long the method of protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law

Overall, robotics is basically the field of study pertaining to robots. When thinking of different examples of robots many people are probably thinking about R2D2 in Star Wars, the Terminator, or taking over the world. What is surprising is that robots are not only found in Hollywood movies, but also in our every day lives.

History of Robotics

The first description of a robot dates back all the way to the 3rd Century B.C in the Lie Zi text of mechanical engineer named Yan Shi. While not much is known about this robot, the description of his prototype was a life size human shaped figure. In 1495 Leonardo da Vinci designed a mechanical knight, humanoid robot. A more important break through was in 1898 Nikola Tesla demonstrated the first radio-controlled vessel, for the navy. In 1961 the first industrial robot was created by George Devol. From the turn of the century during the Industrial Revolution, the field of robotics exploded and rapidly advanced into what it is today.

Robots in the world:


Robots are used in jobs that are dangerous, boring, or inaccessible to humans. One of the main fields that robots are used in is in space exploration. NASA uses robots to navigate planets that humans can’t access easily. One of the most famous robots is called Curiosity. Curiosity was a rover designed and created by NASA to spend 2 years on Mars looking for signs of life. This rover is the size of a small car equipped with camera systems, and a radioisotope power generator. The rover has the ability to send back and analyze samples of materials collected to earth. Another example is Robonaut, a joint DARPA-NASA project. Robonaut is designed to function as a human would during space exploration.

Another huge area in which robots are used ins in industrial jobs. These robots are programed to quickly assemble things. Many of the robots in this field have the capability to operate alone or with some help to perform services useful to humans. Industries like Car production, packaging, and electronics. These jobs are repetitive an monotonous, that robots can complete without changing the quality of product, and getting bored or tired. Robots are also starting to be used to help educate us. I read an article called, Robots in the Classroom help Autistic Children Learn,” and it was about how humanoid robots were able to help autistic children in school. This is because robots have no emotion so autistic children find the robots less threatening and easier to communicate to them. Robots also teach us more about new possible scientific discoveries, like on other planets. Today, robots are being transformed into bionic prosthetics that are more advanced and human like. Robotic limbs have the capability to move in sync to the user’s movements. These prosthetics are connected to the persons central nervous system and as a result it is has the capability to recognize and coordinate the users intentions in different activities, and adjust. You will also find in dangerous war zones, robots like tele robots are used to help disable bombs and locate explosives.

Finally, Robots are being created to do fun, cool stuff. From breakdancing robots to robots that can perform laser point surgery there is a huge diversity. In todays society, people are working on new robots that would help us with our daily chores. Some example of those types of robots are the lawnbott (mows lawns for us), Stair a robot that can help with washing dishes and cooking meals. there are even robots that can be programed to be you’re own table tennis partner, and robots as simple as a golf bag that follows you. After researching all of these inventions, I couldn’t believe how many things that I thought were a fantasy were actually a reality!


Essential Characteristics of a Robot:


There are many types of robots, that are used to do different things. However, all robots share some basic similarities in construction:

1. Mechanical Construction: All robots have a frame, form, or shape designed for specific tasks. This construction determines the movement and sensing that the robot can do.

2. Electrical Components: Robots need a way to gain power and use the power to control the machinery. Electricity usually originates in a battery, or gas, then travels through wires to a circuit that sends electrical signals to operate the robot.

3. Computer Programing: The programming code determines when, how and what the robot should do. The program is the core essence of a robot, and is what makes the entire mechanism work. There are three main types of robotic programs:


Importance of Robotics:

Robotics have really helped benefit industries because they are able to achieve more profits, and less losses because products come out cleaner. Along with that, robots have created safer conditions in work places. Robots have also shaped our society in the entertainment industry. Also, as said above robots have helped us made huge discoveries that would have never been possible. Robots also have helped speed up medical treatments and more accurate surgeries.



Limitations and Negative Effects:


While robots are a positive thing in the world, they also can be a negative. The idea of artificial intelligence brings up a concern in many people, “What if robots become smarter and better than humans?” There is a possibility that these machines can become intelligent enough to operate independently and over throw the human race. Another down side is that robots are replacing humans in jobs, therefore increasing unemployment. The overall success and wealth due to robots is reaching a minority of people.

NASA Curiosity

                  

                  

            

Computer Programing

      Computer programing is a list of instructions or procedures for the computer to follow. The source code is the instructions that are designed to make computer work, written in another language for the computer to read. These languages are all different types of complex algorithms, words, images, sounds and more. The combination of these things are what designs a program. Basically Computer programing is the process of us teaching the machine to do something. Two big programing languages are Logo and Java. What our computer is showing us is really just an illusion. The pictures or videos, we’re seeing are actually ALOT of bits of pieces patterned around, created by computer programing. A surprising fact that I learned was that the first programer was Ada Lovelace. She was an English mathematician and writer who created software for the Analytical Engine. The Analytical Engine was an early model for a computer in which Ada’s notes for it were algorithms tailored for each action of the machine, similar to a computer program. The Analytical Engine was never actually created but it still sparked questions for this type of technology. Computer programing is still developing and giving us the chance to enhance computers and technologies.

Technological Singularity: Science Fiction or Reality?

Imagine your computer, or smart phone taking over the world, and being able to control humans. Author and mathematician, Vernor Vinge in 1993 wrote, The Coming Technological Singularity with the belief that in, "30 years, we will have the technological means to create superhuman intelligence. Shortly after, the human era will be ended.” You may be reading this thinking, “What, no way that’s crazy, what’s this Vinge guy eating for breakfast?” While it sounds like another Hollywood sci-fi movie, but, based on the spike in technology in the world that could be an accurate forecast for the future.

Till this day the question, “could machines replace humans as the dominant force on Earth?” has been brought up and discussed. Each year we progress technologically in the world, and each year this question becomes a bigger concern. In class Friday, we watched a video about the Amazon Echo . This new device is like an extra family member in your house, the machine is a small cylinder that answers to the name you call it. It can manage your schedule, tell you information, or keep your grocery list. The Echo's brain stores your commands so it’s constantly adapting and learning your voice, vocabulary, and preferences. The Echo machine reminded me of one of my favorite movie’s, 2001 A Space Odyssey. In the movie the computer HAL, ends up with a mind of its own, and kills the whole crew. HAL’s programing was able to surpass the human intelligence on the ship and he took over their mission. In the end though, you learn that the reason for HAL’s miss behavior was because his inability to adjust and compromise. The Government programed HAL with specific orders, and when the crew members decided to alter the orders HAL didn’t allow them to.

Some may argue that technological singularity is already going on now. The fact that most of your technology is recording and memorizing everything you’re doing proves that it has the ability to make you addicted. I can say for myself that I can barely go one hour without checking my phone or use my laptop, this is the scary truth that many people face. We have become dependent on machines to do work for us. However, technology has to be controlled by us, and activated by our command. For example, My computer (I believe) doesn’t have the capability to turn its self on, or make any decisions other than the ones we give it to do. Because of this, we haven’t fully reached the era of technological singularity. Yet, it’s still a scary thought that the only thing that separates us from computers, phones, and machines is our fact to be able to think for ourselves and feel emotion. Other than that technology is becoming smarter and more addictive to humans. One example where computers proved to be smarter than humans was in 1997 where world famous chess player Garry Kasparov played against Deep Blue, a computer. After 6 matches the computer was able to anticipate and study the way Garry played. In 2011, there was a Jeopardy game played against a computer, the computer defeated the other players. These two loses are signs that computers are smarter than humans because of their capability to memorize more information that the human brain can. There’s a catch to this though, computers only can answer and respond, as of now they can’t ask questions, and purse goals. Humans are the dominant  force in the world, because we are the creators and controllers.

Amazon Echo

HAL

Jeopardy Game

My Fabulous Catapult

When I started off to make my mouse trap catapult, I had no idea what I was doing, to be honest. It took me three different models to figure out what works the best, and what doesn’t work. My first mouse trap catapult consisted of a spoon duck taped on to the metal bar. Easy and simple I thought. However when I did a test run, the spoon was way too flimsy on the metal bar, and it was also very hard to set the trap and release it, without getting your fingers caught. The next model I made I de attached the trigger arm and mechanism from the trap, so that I would just have to pull it back and release. But again, the spoon would fly off, and snap when the trap was released. And the trap was hard to hold down and keep flat on the ground. My final catapult was the second one however, I added “stoppers” (erasers duct taped on) at the end of the trap, so when released, the spoon won’t snap back onto the ground, and to make it easier to set.  Also, I reinforced the spoon with Popsicle sticks so I could not worry about the spoon flying off with the ping pong ball. Finally, I elevated the mouse trap on a 1ft box and secured the trap down on to the box. This helps the ping pong ball travel further, as well as prevents the mouse trap from flipping on itself after being released. My mouse trap I would say is more like a simple mangonel. It consists of a “bucket” area, an arm and instead of winding and releasing a string; the mouse trap spring provides the force. Finally, I had to make sure that my catapult was up to par on the appearance department, so I decorated it with zebra print duct tape, a pink spoon, bows, and a glittery base.
 

History Of Catapults

      Catapults have been one of the earliest and most efficient weapons in siege warfare dating back to 390 BC. Most of us picture catapults being used in the Middle Ages, as an enemy is trying to take down a castle. But, before catapults advanced, the ancient civilizations of the Greeks, and Roman first came up with the idea and early models. The word Catapult is derived from the Greek words, “kata” meaning downward, and “pultos” meaning shield. The weapon was basically used to penetrate your enemy’s defensive line. In Ancient Greece and Rome, their version of a catapult started off as a handheld weapon, similar to the crossbow. This developed into a larger version that was a huge standing wooden structure, called a Ballista. This type of catapult is used to shoot large arrows, with great accuracy. However, these weapons were inconvenient to assemble on a battle field, as well as not extremely powerful. Eventually, the Romans built a more powerful catapult that we would typically picture as what a catapult looks like. This weapon was called the Mangonel, which could throw heavy stones longer distances, to break down forts. This weapon was introduced and used during the Middle Ages, as fortified castles were being built. The Mangonel has a long wooden arm were the “ammo” would be placed, then pulled back so the machines tension was tight, then it would be released and fire the objects at its target. The last main type of catapult is the most powerful, called the Trebuchet. This catapult was most commonly used during the middle ages but historians can trace it back to 2001 BC in China. Catapults were one of the first modern day methods of biological warfare in the Middle Ages, where the attackers would throw bodies with diseases over castle walls. I also find it interesting that we still used Catapults in the WWI to throw grenades from trenches into no man’s land. We also even still occasionally use aircraft catapults which help launch planes into the air if the run way is too short. Catapults are a very interesting and unique mechanism that operates on basic physics.

 

 

This Photo is a sketch of what an Ballista would look like.







 



Above is an animation and diagram of what a typical Mangonel would look like.






 



The last two photos are examples of a Trebuchet.

What I want to learn in Honors Physics.

     I can't wait this year for honors physics there are so many things I want to learn about! First of, I would love to learn about the History of Physics and everyone who has contributed to the field. I think that by knowing this, it helps you understand everything more, and also makes the class more interesting. Second, I have always been interested in kinematics, and real world application problems.  Finally, I expect to have a fun time in honors physics, between doing labs, listening to lectures, and learning. 

Katie Williams