Lets start Robotics

Hello everyone!

So you guys might be anxious and willing to develop your own bot being inspired by the knowledge about or interest for the robotics. But we do also know that the fact that "Little Knowledge is Dangerous" but also thinking that "Something is better than nothing" I would like to share about starting Robotics. So lets take that initial step, shall we!

This is the 21st century, age of science and technology where most of us have been using and being addicted to these technology while many are working for the overall development of the technologies. Most us know that what the ROBOT is and what it is capable of along with its implementation in the different sectors. We have been viewing many movies such as Transformers, Terminator, I.Robot, Robot, Ra-One, Chappie, and the list goes on where we can see what the robot is capable of and what is robotics. Not only this the few thing we are using such as Digger, Road Roller, etc can also be termed as Robots since Robot itself does not have a specific definition but robot comes from the word robota meaning "self labor" and figuratively "drudgery" or "hard-work" in Czech and Slovak. 

So, the most common question is "How to get involved in robotics?". Here you have your answer. There is no shortcut and alternatives for getting in robotics either as a hobbyist or as a technical person too. Hard-work and dedication with skills in hand is the only way to get in. If you are thinking where to get these skills from then I would just say this is technical era. Its all about enthusiasm and matter of interest. That is not a big deal, is it?

Not all the robots are automated. Manual robots can be made even without using a piece of code with the few electronics and mechanical skills. The skills that are necessary for the stepping on robotics are over here but you might not require all if you are working as a team.

• Mechanical

              To know the basic skills like cutting, riveting, drilling, welding, designing a stable prototype, motion tracking, gear development, etc.

• Electronics

               Skills on interfacing sensors and using various available components to make some another necessary components is also required. A vision and imagination is the most.

               Not only this, there always remains several switching circuits and control circuits in robots. For this job knowledge of core electronics is always needed. The basic skills such as soldering, routing components knowledge, circuit design tricks, routing and signal knowledge. These are quite useful.

• Computing

                    Computing is only required for automated robots or for few manuals too. Different languages are used to program the bot but C and Assembly language programs are most commonly used. There are different types of micro controllers (8051, arduino, AVR, etc) and different ways of programming these too. So, you must be playing with the logic to make a bot.

Now after knowing how to get involved now let me share about designing a robot.

As mentioned earlier, robotics require a great combination of Electronics,Mechanical and Computing. Although the appearance and capabilities of robots vary vastly, all robots share the features of mechanical, movable structure under  some form of autonomous control. The structure of robot is mostly mechanical and can be called a kinetic chain ( its functionality being similar to the skeleton of human body). The control system of robot are prepared by electronics components and automatic control is programmed. This should produce a robot performing based on hardware configuration.

Designing a robot is just a systematic process. These process if not followed then may result in malfunctioned robot. The steps involved are as follows:

• Concept development

          This is the phase where the research are conducted in order to know ones idea and know about what you are going to develop. The requirements as well as technologies are to be noted down that are going to be implemented. In case of ordered products, the clients requirement are must to be considered.

• Material Collection

          After being clear about the concepts and the requirements all you need to do is find out whether the required components are available or not. If not then the alternative should be discovered.

• Designing

          Now you need to design the required frame of robot (chassis), circuitry necessary and various other blocks and mechanisms such as gears, wheels,etc.

• Testing

          All the designs you have made must be thoroughly tested in each and every condition that your bot is going to be used on. If no such environment is available artificial environment is necessary to be created and must be tested.

• Implementation

          After all the tests are succeed and verified the bot is implemented for the market. So, the perfect finishing and the placement of components have the major importance during implementation.

• Final test and debugging

         Once the final product is ready the final test is performed and debugged so that the bot meets the specifications that it is provided with.

More are to be posted very soon. So, keep patience.

Hope you enjoyed, learned and soon start robotics. Do share among your friends too because it is said that "Knowledge is the only thing that increases on Sharing".