Robotics

Robotics is defined as the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots. A robot is a machine that can perform complex actions automatically. Robotics also deals with the computer systems that have the capability to control the robots through programming. Mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, and computer science are all incorporated in robotics. The use of robotics has proved to be extremely helpful to humans over the past years because robots have been made that have the capability of performing important and or hazardous jobs. The programming (explained in the post titled "Programming,") of algorithms is what enables robots to perform the functions that they do. In order for these robots to function automatically, they must be fueled by a source of power. A few of the various sources of power that allow robots to work are batteries, hydraulics, and even complex power sources such as organic garbage (through anaerobic digestion). Robotics is an extremely intricate and complicated branch of technology that will surely be beneficial to humans as we discover more about it.

Programming

Computer programming is defined as the creating of a sequence of instructions that enables the computer to perform the desired action. When programming, it is necessary to understand and analyze what action or procedure is desired from the computer before beginning the actual program. In order to create a message that tells the computer what actions it should perform and that can be understood by the computer, an algorithm has to be created. An algorithm is more or less an illustration of logic written in software that expresses what actions the computer should perform in a logical order.

This is an example algorithm

Programming is not only used to tell computers to perform various actions, but also in robots. When building my robot with my group, we performed very basic programming by creating a very small algorithm. Our algorithm instructed our robot to perform very simple tasks. The most complex of which was to order the robot to continue to move until within a certain distance of a colored brick, and then to drag the brick as the robot moved backwards. In order to perform programming, one must possess a great amount of logic.

My Group's Robot

My group consisted of three students: Louise, Juiliette, and myself. My group attempted to build the "gyro boy," robot. However, we did not fully complete building the lego structure that would have made up our robot. Our group was most likely unable to finish building the robot as a result of our lack of experience in building legos in the past. A few errors were made in the construction of the robot that caused us to waste portions of our building time. In addition, our group also encountered difficulty when we attempted to program our robot in the beginning stages. This time of difficulty also accounted for time that could have been spent completing the robot. Although our group was not able to complete the robot I had fun working on this project and learned some of the basics of programming and robotics.

What my group's robot would have appeared like if it were fully completed.