2.1 Automation & Robotics

Being an Active Learner If you do your part to be an active learner by

Listening – mouth closed, ears, eyes, and minds open

Following directions Doing your work Working well with others

You will be able to declare the following

I can… Explain how engineers use automation &

robotics Recognize key terms related to automation &

robotics Explain the 3 stages of automation Summarize ways that robots are used in

today’s world and the impact of their use on society.

Describe positive and negative effects of automation and robotics on humans in terms of safety and economics. Explain the correlation between automation, robotics, and robots

Automation & Robotics Engineers use automation and robotics to

meet our needs and wants by making manufacturing more efficient,

productive, and safe performing jobs or to explore places that

humans cannot designing assistive tools for people with

disabilities providing equipment in hospitals to help with

surgery, to deliver food or to dispense medications.

Making household helpers, performing chores like vacuuming and mowing lawns

Before Automation

Looking back only 200 years ago, most products were produced by hand. This method provided a limited quantity for the masses. Typically, only the rich could afford to purchase these hand-made products.

Industrial Revolution – 1st Stage of Automation

Fast-forwarding to the middle of the 19th century, and to the middle of the Industrial Revolution, brings us to the time when machines were being invented. This change made it possible for one worker to produce ten times the quantity of product in the same amount of time. This lowered prices and made it possible for more people to purchase what they needed.

This is know as the 1st Stage of Automation

2nd Stage of Automation The advent of the computer in the 1960s

resulted in programmable, intelligent, machines that needed little human intervention – this is known as the 2nd Stage of Automation

3rd Stage of Automation The 3rd stage of automation occurred in the

1980s with the creation of powerful software.

Key Terms You may recognize some of these terms The following terms are explained thru the

world of an engineer

Automation

Controlling a process by electronic devices, reducing human intervention to a minimum.

Robotics Technology dealing with the design,

construction, and operation of robots in automation.

Robot A robot is a machine that performs

complicated tasks and is guided by controls or by a program.

Computer Program In robotics, a set of coded

instructions the robot must follow.

Algorithm Solving a problem in the least

amount of steps

Debug The process of detecting and

eliminating a device’s malfunctions.

Troubleshoot The process of locating trouble and

making repairs in machinery and technical equipment.

What is the Difference?Automation / Robotics / Robots

• Automation is replacing human input with electronic controls so minimum human intervention is needed.

• Robotics involves the design, construction, and operation of a robot.

• A robot is a machine that performs complicated tasks and is guided by controls or a program.

Robot – 1st Generations• First generation robots

were designed to perform factory work.

• Such robots performed simple tasks that were dangerous or unpleasant for people.

• Robots were used to weld, spray paint, move heavy objects, handle hot materials, etc.

1961 - The first industrial robot was online in a General Motors automobile factory in New Jersey. It was called UNIMATE. It was used to pick up and put down parts.

Robot – 2nd Generations

• Second generation Robots perform more complex tasks and simulate many human functions.

• Such robots move, sense surroundings, and respond to changes in their environment.

Today’s Robots

Industrial robots perform many factory jobs– Welding– Painting– Assembly

Today’s Robots

Medical Robots– Assist with surgery– Transport materials– Dispense medicine– Communicate

The mobile robot (left) can roll to a patient's bedside and enable two-way, real time communication between a physician and a patient, patient's family, other physicians, and nurses. Photo by Army Institute of Surgical Research, September 28, 2007.

Lt. Col. Charles Reilly performs laser eye surgery on Senior Airman John Paul Marsh Aug. 23 at the newly opened Defense Department Joint Warfighter Refractive Surgery Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

Today’s Robots

Explore– Space– Underwater– Military

Today’s Robots

Household Robots– Vacuum– Mow lawn– Clean

Today’s Robots

Assistive Robots– Eating – Walking– Cleaning– Grasping/reaching

EL-E The Robot