Arduino Day

Announcing Arduino Day,29TH MARCH A worldwide event bringing together Arduino people and projects. Share the experience!

Lets celebrate arduino too. Time: 10 am. Venue: Environmental complex,GK. Inquiries: 07032037659. Thanks.

An introduction to Robotics

ROBOTICS

Introduction

A robot is a machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically.
A robot is also a machine resembling a human being and able to replicate certain human movements and functions.
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica a robot is "any automatically operated machine that replaces human effort, though it may not resemble human beings in appearance or perform functions in a humanlike manner."

Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots, as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback, and information processing.

The laws of robotics

The laws of robotics are named after Isaac Asimov. The Three Laws of Robotics are;
1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
4. There is also a fourth, or zeroth law, to precede the others: A robot may not harm humanity, or, by inaction, allow humanity to come to harm.

Forms of robot
Cartesian robot /Gantry robot: Used for pick and place work, application of sealant, assembly operations, handling machine tools and arc welding. It's a robot whose arm has three prismatic
joints, whose axes are coincident with a Cartesian coordinator.
Cylindrical robot: Used for assembly operations, handling at machine tools, spot welding, and handling at die-casting machines. It's a robot whose axes form a cylindrical coordinate system.
Spherical/Polar robot: Used for handling at machine tools, spot welding, die-casting, fettling machines, gas welding and arc welding. It's a robot whose axes form a polar coordinate system.
SCARA robot: Used for pick and place work, application of sealant, assembly operations and handling machine tools. It's a robot which has two parallel rotary joints to provide compliance in a plane.
Articulated robot: Used for assembly operations, die-casting, fettling machines, gas welding, arc welding and spray painting. It's a robot whose arm has at least three rotary joints.
Parallel robot: One use is a mobile platform handling cockpit flight simulators. It's a robot whose arms have concurrent prismatic or rotary joints.

Types of robots
1. Humanoids
2. Industrial robots
3. Microscopic nano robots
4. Telerobots
5. Service robots
6. Space probes
7. Mining robots
8. Domestic robots
9. Rescue robots
10. Medical bots
11. School bots
12. Mobile factory robots
13. Reconfigurable robots

Robots can be integrated into control software and hardware such as AC and DC motors, encoders, amplifiers e.t.c. Robots can also be integrated into part delivery systems such as conveyors. They can be integrated with application software, interface software, real time operating systems, communication protocols/networks and programmable logic controllers.

Programming languages
Robotics could involve modification of known programming languages like BASIC, Paschal or C.

 Advantages and disadvantages of robotics.

Advantages.
1. No theft (robots do not steal)
2. Robots are precise and faster than humans
3. Robots make limited mistakes if programmed with quality control.
4. Robots perform dangerous jobs e.g cleaning radioactive waste or
manipulating explosive material.

Disadvantages.
1. Massive job losses and unemployment
2. Robots perform limited duties and can't act on impulse except if
they are programmed
3. Robots are expensive to build and maintain.
4. Robots require training crews always to fix them if anything wrong happens.
5. Robots cannot recharge themselves.

Degree of motion
The six degrees of freedom: forward/back, up/down, left/right, pitch, yaw, roll.
Six degrees of freedom (6DoF) refers to the freedom of movement of a rigid body in three-dimensional space.
Specifically, the body is free to move forward/backward, up/down, left/right (translation in three perpendicular axes) combined with rotation about three perpendicular axes, often termed pitch, yaw, and roll.
An example of six degree of freedom movement is the motion of a ship at sea.
It is described as:
Translation:
1. Moving up and down (heaving)
2. Moving left and right (swaying)
3. Moving forward and backward (surging)
Rotation
1. Tilting forward and backward (pitching)
2. Turning left and right (yawing)
3. Tilting side to side (rolling).


Written by:-
Chukwujekwu Johnpaul
Telecommunication Engineer.

Links:
1. www.auburn.edu/~vestmon/robotics.html
2. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Laws_of_Robotics
3. www.openculture.com/2012/10/isaac_asimov_explains_his_three_laws_of_robotics.html
4. asimov.wikia.com/wiki/Zeroth_Law_of_Robotics
5. singularityhub.com/2011/05/10/the-myth-of-the-three-laws-of-robotics-why-we-cant-control-intelligence/
6. botsinc.com/types-of-robots/

2013 ICC Week 1 Meeting Report

Report on ICC Lab meeting held on Wednesday, 5th June, 2013
Main Activities:
1. Club Introduction
This section gave overview of what the club is about, its aims,objectives and approach to achieving goals.
Club origin and short history as well as registration/recognition status was also discussed.
2. Club's New features/ Questions and answers
This section introduced the concept of Learning hub's so that members will be able to concentrate and specialize.
3. Hub's accreditation:
Members registered for the hubs they were interested in. Some of the hubs members indicated interests for include:
- Web development & Graphics
- Software development
- Ethical Hacking
- Networking
- Embedded Systems and Robotics
4. Announcements:
-All intending members ate expected to fill the club membership form for free
-All members are expected to follow,like and join our various media outlets
-The media outlets are:
       Blog: www.iccfutminna.blogspot.com
       Email: iccfutminna@gmail.com
       Facebook Group: Innovation and Creativity Club, FUTMinna
- All club Members are expected to participate in the Task of Honours
- Attendees were also encouraged to send in comments, suggestions, and criticism to our club e-mail.
5. Task of Honours
The task of honours program was introduced as a way of learning to participate in open collaborations and also help Club growth and development. Each week, new tasks will be listed and all members are expected to complete the tasks to the best of their abilities. At the end of the week, all submission will be rated jointly and the best will be selected. Winners will also be announced.
Task of Honours for Week 1:
- Design of ICC Wallpapers
- Design of ICC Logo
- Individual publicity through social media and Word-of-Mouth
6. Vote of Thanks/Closing Remarks
Attendance: 19
General Remark: Successful
Date of Next meeting: Wednesday 12th June,2013
Venue of Next meeting: SICT Lecture Theatre

Yours in Progress:
Avazi Ebenezer
Green Onyeji
Ibrahim Rasheed
For ICC.

Membership Registration Form

Please, intending club members should kindly fill this form for free. Thanks.

ICC Membership Form.

Welcome.

Welcome to Innovation and Creativity Club

Dear, innovation and technology enthusiast, it is our joy to welcome you to our new blog, while we put together an effective media team to effectively develop and manage our contents, we wish you a most inspiring and equipping time with our club. Follow our blog, the facebook and twitter pages to get informed of our activities. For suggestions and enquires, please email us at: iccfutminna@gmail.com. Enjoy.
................................................. Avazi Ebenezer