Robot Technology

Robotics is now a well established field of endeavour both in industry and research laboratories. There is a danger that the word may be widely in areas where it is inappropriate, so knowing precisely what used even a robot is, how it is controlled and how it may be used in specific applications is of the highest importance. The authors are not only innovators in the development of robots but also highly respected educators. This book has been carefully com piled to crystallize, for the reader, the fundamentals of robot operation and application. The material carefully treads its path between achieving broad coverage and depth where it is needed. Industrialists, teachers and students alike will benefit from the book. Igor Aleksander July 1983 Chapter 1 Robotics: an introduction As a result of the great advances of the last few years many industrial processes have become largely automated, with the human operator playing an ever decreasing role. The fully automated and unmanned factory is probably now only a few decades away.

Methods of contro1151 Mechanical master-slave telemanipulators 151 Powered telemanipulators 152 Servo control of unilateral telemanipulators 152 Bilateral servo manipulators 155 Special characteristics of teleoperators 158 Design criteria for teleoperators 159 Vehicles and transporters 160 Applications of teleoperators 161 Remote handling of radioactive materials 161 Remote handling of explosive and toxic materials 161 Telemanipulation of heavy objects 163 Underwater teleoperation 163 Teleoperation in space and planetary exploration 164 Telemanipulators for the disabled 164 Computer assisted teleoperation 166 Bibliographic notes 170 Chapter 9: Mobile robots 171 Introduction 171 Land surface robots 171 Arrangements of wheels and tracks 171 Unusual wheel and track arrangements 172 Navigation for land vehicles 174 Teleoperation 174 Dead reckoning 175 Inertial navigation 175 Tracking from a fixed base; beacons 175 Satellite navigation 175 Map matching 175 Wall following 176 Route planning 176 Control and communication 176 Sensors for mobile robots 177 Body orientation and angular rates 1 77 Body position, speed and acceleration 177 Terrain scanning 178 Types and applications of mobile robots 179 Education and research 179 Remote handling 183 Military mobile robots 183 Fire-fighting and rescue 187 Construction 188 Mining 188 Planetary exploration 188 Legged robots 188 Comparison of legs and wheels 189 Leg number and arrangement 189 Leg number 189 Leg disposition 190 Relative leg length 190 Leg construction 190 Control 191 Climbing robots 195 Robot submersibles 196 Uses of submersible robots 199 Robots in air and space 201 Space 202 Bibliographic notes 204 Chapter 10: Automated guided vehicles 205

Introduces designers to hardware and software tools necessary for planning, laying out, and building advanced robot-based manufacturing cells surveying the available technology for creating innovative machines suitable to individual needs. Considers assembly system simulation, task-oriented programm

Readers get acquainted with the people behind today's most cutting-edge technologies in the robotics field--from bright ideas to cool new products--and inspires readers to consider a high-tech future career. Careers in Robot Technology introduces six exciting careers and features sidebar activities that invite readers to Imagine That! and Dig Deeper! Includes table of contents, glossary, index, and supplementary backmatter.

Robot Technology looks at robots that are used in space exploration, and developments that may happen in the future, for example, landing on Mars. It looks at robot explorers that go to places humans cannot reach, such as the sea bed, and into the craters of volcanoes. The title explores military machines, and discusses the possibility of humanoid robots. It also asks important questions about whether advances in robot technology could threaten humans. New Technology is an exciting, up-to-date look at new technology and the effect it is having on the world. Each title looks forward to likely future technological advances that will affect our everyday lives.

The authors and editors of this Handbook have attempted to fill a serious gap in the professional literature on industrial automation. Much past attention has been directed to the general concepts and philosophy of automation as a way to convince owners and managers of manufacturing facilities that automation is indeed one of the few avenues available to increase productivity and improve competitive position. Seventy-three contributors share their knowledge in this Handbook. Less attention has been given to the "What" and "How" of automation. To the extent feasible and practical within the confines of the pages allowed, this Handbook concentrates on the implementation of automation. Once the "Go" signal has been given by management, concrete details-not broad definitions and philosophical discussions-are required. To be found in this distinctly different book in the field are detailed parameters for designing and specifying equipment, the options available with an evaluation of their relative advantages and limitations, and insights for engineers and production managers on the operation and capabilities of present-generation automation system components, subsystems, and total systems. In a number of instances, the logical extension of current technology into the future is given. A total of 445 diagrams and photos and 57 tables augments detailed discussions. In addition to its use as a ready reference for technical and management personnel, the book has wide potential for training and group discussions at the college and university level and for special education programs as may be provided by consultants or by "in-house" training personnel.