Components of Robots as a System

Identify the gears:

(a) Gears that are good for moving big things at high speeds.

(b) A gear used to alter the direction of movement between two shafts.

(c) A gear having straight teeth and are placed on shafts that are parallel to each other.

Answer

(a) Helical gears

(b) Bevel gears

(c) Spur gears

Automatic control systems are faster than manual control system.

Answer

True

Reason — Automatic control systems respond fast and consistently because they are driven by algorithms and real-time data from sensors, whereas the response time of manual control systems depends on the reaction time and decision-making process of the human operator.

Servo motors are used for heavy industrial tasks.

Answer

False

Reason — Servo motors are used in robotics, RC (radio-controlled) vehicles, and precision applications where precise and controlled rotation is required, whereas heavy industrial tasks are associated with hydraulic motors, which provide powerful rotating motion.

Hydraulic motor is an example of rotary actuators.

Answer

True

Reason — Hydraulic motors provide powerful rotating motion and are listed under rotary actuators, which produce rotational motion around an axis.

In fan, ON/OFF system is an example of control system.

Answer

True

Reason — Fan regulation is an example of a control system. In an on/off control, the fan operates in two states, ON and OFF and the switch controls its functioning, which demonstrates a basic control mechanism.

In refrigerator there is no need of temperature sensor.

Answer

False

Reason — Refrigerators use a thermostat controller that constantly measures the temperature inside the refrigerator. When the temperature rises above the set limit, the controller activates the compressor to cool the refrigerator, which shows that a temperature sensor is required.

Magnetic sensor is an example of contact sensor.

Answer

False

Reason — Magnetic sensors detect changes in magnetic fields without making physical contact. Hence, magnetic sensors are non-contact sensors.

Automatic control systems are more adaptable.

Answer

True

Reason — Automatic control systems may adapt dynamically to changing surroundings, disturbances, or workloads, resulting in robust and adaptable performance, whereas manual control systems depend on the operator’s ability to adjust.

Hybrid control system utilizes more than one controller.

Answer

True

Reason — Hybrid control combines numerous control systems to handle many elements of the robot’s behaviour at the same time, which means it utilizes more than one control system/controller.

Helical gears have curved teeth.

Answer

True

Reason — Helical gears have curved teeth, which makes them run more smoothly and quietly compared to spur gears.

Gears do not play any role in robotic mobility.

Answer

False

Reason — Gears are essential to the gearbox system that powers a robot’s wheels or tracks, enabling the robot to move and traverse different terrains. Hence, gears play an important role in robotic mobility.

Which of the following statements best describes a robot?

1. A device that performs a specific task without adaptability
2. An advanced machine capable of sensing, decision-making, and interaction
3. A mechanical tool used for manual tasks
4. A device that requires constant human supervision

Answer

An advanced machine capable of sensing, decision-making, and interaction

Reason — A robot is a system that uses sensors to perceive its environment, controllers to process information and make decisions, and actuators to interact with the environment to perform a specific task. This shows that a robot is an advanced machine capable of sensing, decision-making, and interaction.

The control system responsible for controlling speed of robot is

1. Position control system
2. Velocity control system
3. Impedance control system
4. None of these

Answer

Velocity control system

Reason — Velocity control limits the pace of robot motion, allowing it to travel at a specified velocity along a predetermined course.

The task of path planning and trajectory control system is to

1. Control speed of robot
2. Decide position of robot
3. Decide path for robot navigation
4. Design path for user’s navigation

Answer

Decide path for robot navigation

Reason — Path planning and trajectory generation involve algorithms in control systems that design the ideal path and produce trajectories for the robot to follow, while avoiding obstacles and taking the robot’s dynamics into account.

Servo motor is an example of

1. Sensor
2. Actuator
3. Controller
4. None of these

Answer

Actuator

Reason — Servo motors are listed under rotary actuators and are used in robotics and precision applications where precise and controlled rotation is required.

Application(s) of pneumatic Cylinder is/are

1. Pushing
2. Pulling
3. lifting items
4. All of these

Answer

All of these

Reason — Pneumatic cylinders are used for operations such as pushing, pulling, or lifting items in industrial applications.

From following which is an example of non-contact sensor?

1. Pressure sensor
2. Gas sensor
3. Touch sensor
4. None of these

Answer

Gas sensor

Reason — Gas sensors detect and measure the concentration of gases in the environment without making physical contact, hence they are non-contact sensors. A pressure sensor is a contact-type sensor as it measures pressure by coming into direct contact with a fluid or gas. A touch sensor is also a contact-type sensor because it detects physical contact or pressure applied to its surface.

Camera is an example of

1. Pressure sensor
2. Vision sensor
3. Solar sensor
4. None of these

Answer

Vision sensor

Reason — A vision sensor collects visual information from its surroundings, and a camera sensor is listed as an example of a vision sensor used to capture images and videos.

Touch sensor is an example of

1. Tactile sensor
2. Vision sensor
3. Pressure sensor
4. None of these

Answer

Tactile sensor

Reason — Tactile sensors collect data from physical interactions with the environment, and touch sensors are listed as examples of tactile sensors, as they detect physical contact or pressure applied to their surface.

Electric solenoids, are mainly utilised in?

1. Locking mechanisms
2. Doorbells
3. Automatic door openers
4. All of the above

Answer

All of the above

Reason — Electric solenoids are used in a variety of applications such as locking mechanisms, doorbells, and automatic door openers.

From following which is/are the component(s) of robot?

1. Controller
2. Sensor
3. Actuator
4. All of the above

Answer

All of the above

Reason — The important components of a robot include the sensor, actuator, controller.

Fill in the blanks:

1. Sensors transform physical parameters into ................ .
2. ................ combines numerous control systems to handle many elements of the robots.
3. ................ is commonly used in modern air conditioners to vary the compressor's speed.
4. Impedance control allows the robot to respond to ................ .
5. Task of ................ is to understand input signals and generate control signals.

Answer

1. Sensors transform physical parameters into electrical signals.
2. Hybrid control system combines numerous control systems to handle many elements of the robots.
3. Inverter technology is commonly used in modern air conditioners to vary the compressor's speed.
4. Impedance control allows the robot to respond to external pressures.
5. Task of controller is to understand input signals and generate control signals.

How does the feedback system work in robots? Explain.

Answer

The feedback system in robots works by sending information about the robot’s current output or action back to the controller. This feedback indicates parameters such as the robot’s location, orientation, or movement. Based on this feedback, the controller fine-tunes its control signals to correct errors and ensure that the robot performs the desired task accurately. If the robot does not perform the intended action, negative feedback is sent to the controller, which then adjusts its functioning accordingly.

Explain the range and proximity sensor.

Answer

Proximity sensors are non-contact sensors that detect the presence of an object when it enters the sensor’s field. The sensor may use sound, light, infrared, or electromagnetic fields to detect the object. A range sensor determines the distance between the sensor and the object in its proximity. Examples include ultrasonic sensors, which are used in object detection and measuring distance, and proximity sensors, which are used in cell phones and home appliances.

Explain any one robotic control system.

Answer

Position control system ensures that the robot’s joints or end-effectors move properly to specific locations. In this control system, the robot’s position is measured and compared to the desired position, and based on this comparison, control signals are generated to achieve accurate movement.

By which method can a robot accept input? Explain.

Answer

A robot can accept input through sensors or from a human operator. In fully autonomous systems, the input is provided by sensors, while in some systems, inputs can also be given by human operators to control the robot’s actions.

What do you understand by gear ratio? Explain.

Answer

Gear ratio shows how the number of teeth on the driving gear (input) relates to the number of teeth on the driven gear (output).

Gear Ratio = Number of driven gear teeth / Number of driving gear teeth

It shows the number of times the output gear turns in relation to the input gear. In a mechanical system, the speed and power depend on the gear ratio.

• If the driven gear has more teeth, it rotates slower but with greater power.
• If the driven gear has fewer teeth, it rotates faster but with less power.

What are the various applications of gear in robotics?

Answer

Gears play an important role in robotic systems and are used for various applications. The applications of gears in robotics are as follows:

1. Robotic joints: Gears are used in robotic joints to allow smooth and accurate movement. Depending on the required motion range and torque capability, different types of gears such as spur gears and harmonic drive gears are used.
2. Robotic mobility: Gears are essential to the gearbox system that powers a robot’s wheels or tracks, enabling the robot to move quickly and traverse a variety of terrains.
3. Lifting mechanisms: Gears are used to magnify force, which allows robots to carry heavy loads. This application is commonly seen in material handling and lifting robots.
4. Accuracy and control: Robotic systems that require precise control and positioning, such as those used in robotic surgery and industrial automation, frequently use worm gears.
5. Gearboxes: Gearboxes are used to adjust the torque and speed of robotic actuators according to specific tasks or movements, ensuring efficient robot performance.

Write about various applications of hydraulic motors.

Answer

Hydraulic motors offer powerful rotating motion and are used in the following applications:

• Heavy equipment
• Construction machines
• Automobiles

Write about various applications of actuators.

Answer

The various applications of actuators are as follows:

1. In robotic arms and joints to control the movement and orientation of different joints and links.
2. To automate manufacturing tasks in conveyor systems, valves, and process control.
3. To regulate the flight of aircraft control surfaces such as ailerons and flaps.
4. In automotive components such as power windows, door locks, and engine control.
5. In ventilation and air conditioning systems to regulate airflow and temperature.

Write the difference between manual and automatic control systems.

Answer

The differences between manual control systems and automatic control systems are as follows:

Make a block diagram of the robot and explain it.

Answer

The block diagram of a robot is shown below. It is showing the flow of information between the input and output.

Each component of the above block diagram is explained below.

Input: This block consists of sensors in fully autonomous systems. The inputs can be provided by human operators as well.

Controller: Task of controller is to understand input signals and generate control signals. Control signals also depend on feedback which is received from output generated by robot.

Feedback: The feedback is sent from the output end of the robot. It indicates the robot's current output or action which may be its location, orientation, or any other task. It helps the controller fine-tune its control signals and perform the desired task more accurately. For example, if a robot does not perform the desired task or make the desired move, negative feedback will be sent to the controller, and controller will change its functioning accordingly.

Actuator: This component is driven by the control signal generated by the controller. These are the devices that help robots connect with outside world.

What could be the challenges with a fully automatic control system?

Answer

A fully automatic control system can face several challenges. Since it works based on control algorithms and feedback from sensors, its performance depends completely on the accuracy of sensors and control algorithms. Any error in sensor data or malfunction of components can affect the system’s operation. Automatic control systems are also more complex, as they are designed to handle complicated robot tasks, which makes their design, programming, and maintenance more difficult. In addition, such systems require constant feedback and computing capability to function correctly.

What would happen if there was no concept of gears?

Answer

If there were no concept of gears, robots would not be able to transmit motion and power effectively from one component to another. The amplification of force and adjustment of speed and torque would not be possible, which would affect robotic joints, mobility, and lifting mechanisms. Robots would face difficulty in achieving smooth, accurate movement, precise control, and the ability to carry heavy loads. Applications such as robotic mobility, lifting mechanisms, and accurate positioning would be severely limited without gears.

What components would be required in an obstacle avoiding wheeled robot?

Answer

An obstacle avoiding wheeled robot would require the following components:

1. Sensors
2. Controller
3. Actuators
4. Gears / Gearbox
5. Feedback system