There are many different kinds of robots, from ones hsaped like arms designed to build cars to ones that vacuum to ones that explore other planets.
To be a robot, a machine must meet certain criteria. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Here are 6 features of a robotic system. Do these clearly differentiate a robot from other devices? If not, add more criteria.
Body
The body is a physical substance and shape of some type. The body will be designed based on the function—some look like vehicles, some like an arm, and some like a person. If you can touch it, that’s the body.
Control
Control is a program to control the robot. Robots must be told what to do. To control a robot we need:
Input
Input is the information that comes from the robot’s sensors. Robots have sensors that they use to get information from the robot’s environment. For example, a smoke detector can detect smoke. (In other words, sensing the robot’s environment). Robots typically have external and internal sensors.
Programmable
The program is a set of instructions or rules that the programmer gives the robot. For example, a smoke detector has a program to make a sound if it senses smoke. To be a robot, a machine must be programmable.
Output
The output is the action a robot takes, often involving motors, lights, or sounds. For example, a smoke detector makes a loud sound and might flash lights. (In other words, effecting change in the robot’s environment—adapting.)
Behavior
Behavior is the combination of outputs that result in the task or job the robot does. For example, the behavior of a smoke detector is to “go off” in the presence of smoke. “Going off” is a combination of making noise and flashing lights, and may also involve calling the fire department.