How do Robots Work?
Robots doing battle on Earth, robots helping humans to fight evil, or a robot which has committed murder – these are just some of the ways in which robots have been featured in Hollywood films in recent years.
We are all obsessed with robots. What they can do and how they can benefit humans, the possibilities are limitless. Let's find out how robots do what they do.
At the very basic level, robots are very much like humans. They are made up of five basic components:
1) A body structure
2) A muscle system which enables it to move
3) A sensory system that receives information about its body and from its surroundings
4) A power source that activates the muscle and sensory systems
5) A brain system that processes sensory information and tells the body what to do.
The Body Structure
Most robots have a movable body. Some of them come in the form of motorized wheels, while other robots have dozens of movable parts. The bodies of robots are usually made of plastic or metal. The different parts of the robot's body are held together with joints, much like the bones in our bodies.
The Muscle System
Robots can spin wheels or move their arms, feet and other parts of their bodies because of the use of an actuator . An actuator is simply a mechanism that enables the robot to move. In other words, the actuator of a robot is much like our muscles, which enables us to move our bodies parts.
The Power Source
However, while robots may have muscles and body parts, they still cannot move them without a power source. The power source can be likened to food, which gives us strength to move and play. Without food, we will feel very weak and may even be unable to move. Similarly, robots need a power source before it can move its body. Most robots use batteries as their power source. Other robots are plugged into the wall.
The Sensory System
Not all robots have sensory systems. Very few robots are able to see, hear, speak and taste, but most of them have the sense of movement. That means the robot is able to monitor its own movement. Robots do this by light sensors.
The Brain System
The robot's computer is its brain. The robot's brain controls everything that the robot does. For example, to move the robot, the computer turns on all the necessary motors and valves to enable the robot to move.
Most robots are reprogrammable. That means that we can change the way a robot behaves. To do so, all we have to do is write a new program for its computer.
Make Your Very Own Remote Boat
This activity is kindly supported by Learning Project
Make sure you get your parents' help on this one!
You will need:
1) 2 battery pads
2) Masking tape
3) A D cell battery (1.5 V)
4) A small elastic band
5) A DC motor (1.5 V, no wider than 22 mm)
6) Glue
7) Scissors
8) Wire (24 gauge, double strand)
9) An empty 2 litre (2L) plastic drink bottle
10) A utility knife
11) A bottle cork
12) A Popsicle stick (Ice cream stick)
Instructions:
1. Get your parents to cut a hole in the side of the 2L plastic drink bottle. Make sure it is big enough for the battery and motor to fit through. Cover the rough edges with tape. Place the battery and motor inside the bottle. Glue the battery in place.
2. Slide the motor inside the neck of the bottle. The narrow end of the motor must point out. Put some glue around the outside of the motor to hold it in place. Don't apply glue on the narrow end of the motor, or it will not spin.
3. Cut a slice of bottle cork 1 cm thick and push it onto the shaft of the motor.
4. Glue the Popsicle stick onto the cork. Leave the glue to dry. The stick will act as the propeller. If the boat bounces, trim the Popsicle stick.
5. Now you have your very own Remote Boat!