BIOLOGICAL ROBOT – 21019
A biological robot is a hypothetical machine derived by cloning from living organisms, and grown in a laboratory environment to perform a specific function or set of...
Category: Encyclopedia of Robotics
BIOCHIP – 21018
A biochip is an integrated circuit (IC) fabricated with, or from, living matter by means of biological processes. The term has also been suggested for...
BINOCULAR MACHINE VISION – 21017
Binocular machine vision is the analog of binocular human vision. It is sometimes called stereoscopic vision. In humans, binocular vision allows perception of depth.With one...
BINAURAL MACHINE HEARING – 21016
Binaural machine hearing utilizes two sound transducers, spaced a certain minimum distance from each other, to determine the direction from which acoustic waves are coming....
BIASED SEARCH – 21015
A biased search is an analog method by which a mobile robot can find a destination or target, by first looking off to one side...
AZIMUTH-RANGE NAVIGATION – 21014
A classical azimuth-range navigation system is conventional radar, which consists of a transmitter, a highly directional antenna, a receiver, and a display. The transmitter produces EM microwave pulses that are propagated in a narrow beam. The EM waves strike objects at various distances. The greater the distance to the target, the longer is the delay before the echo is received. The transmitting antenna is rotated so that all azimuth bearings can be observed.
AUTONOMOUS ROBOT – 21013
An autonomous robot is self-contained, housing its own controller, and not depending on a central computer for its commands. It navigates its work environment under its own power, usually by rolling on wheels or a track drive.
AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLE – 21012
An automated guided vehicle (AGV) is a robot cart that runs without a driver. The cart has an electric engine and is guided by a magnetic field, produced by a wire on or just beneath the floor. Alternatively, an AGV can run on a set of rails. In automated systems, AGVs are used to bring components to assembly lines. AGVs can also serve as attendants in hospitals, bringing food and nonessential items to patients, or as mechanical gophers to perform routine chores around the home or office.
ATTRACTION GRIPPER (MAGNETIC GRIPPER) – 21011
An attraction gripper is a robot end effector that grasps objects by means of electrical or magnetic attraction. Generally, magnets are used; either permanent magnets or electromagnets will serve the purpose. Electromagnets offer the advantage of being on/off controllable, so an object can be conveniently released without its having to be secured by some external means. Permanent magnets, conversely, offer the advantage of a minimal maintenance requirement.
ASIMOV’S THREE LAWS – 21010
In one of his early science-fiction stories, the prolific writer Isaac Asimov first mentioned the word “robotics,” along with three fundamental rules that all robots had to obey. The rules, now called Asimov’s three laws, are as follows.
• A robot must not injure, or allow the injury of, any human being.
• A robot must obey all orders from humans, except orders that would contradict the First Law.
• A robot must protect itself, except when to do so would contradict the First Law or the Second Law.
