| When you think of "robot," what do you envision? | | | | need to look to physics, science, math and engineering. |
| Does your robot walk upright like "C3PO" or roll like | | | | One of the primary components used in robotic |
| "R2D2?" Does your robot have a rigid mechanical | | | | automation is the actuator, which converts stored |
| face or an expressionistic soft face? Does it pick up | | | | energy into movement. Most actuators are electric |
| objects or does it function as a robotic vacuum? | | | | motors (brushed and brushless DC motors, to be |
| Perhaps your intelligent system works in the medical | | | | exact), although chemical and compressed air |
| field or in robotic welding. | | | | actuators exist as well. Stepper motors rotate in |
| Since there are a number of different uses for | | | | easy-to-control motions, commanded by a controller |
| robotics and automation, it's reasonable to assume | | | | rather than a sensor. Piezo or Ultrasonic motors use |
| there are many, many robot design options. To begin | | | | rapidly vibrating piezo-ceramic elements, which |
| thinking about how these complex machines move, we | | | | ultimately cause motion. |