Introduction to robotics

Robotics is a broad topic which can include mechanical devices, sometimes resembling humans, or software entities. Generally such ‘robots’ can be set to perform one or more specific tasks.

In this brief video Richard introduces the key concept of feedback control and explains how it underpins every aspect of robotics. The core principles of robotics rely on related subjects: computing, artificial intelligence, electronics, control or cybernetics and mechanical engineering.

This course will focus on mobile robots, approached from a cybernetic perspective.

Various aspects include:

• The physical robot – the mechanics, electronics and computer
• Its sensors which allow it to perceive its surroundings
• Its behaviour: how its movement is specified in terms of what it perceives – is this determined by humans – or can the robot learn?
• Its means of movement and is the desired movement achieved?
• How it interacts with other robots or humans

But what is a robot? Find out more in the following Step.