Robotics

2026 Syllabus Objectives

By the end of these notes, you should be able to:

  1. Understand what is meant by robotics
  2. Describe the characteristics of a robot
  3. Understand the roles that robots can perform and describe the advantages and disadvantages of their use

What is Robotics?

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Robotics is a branch of computer science that deals with the design, construction, and operation of robots.

In simple terms, robotics is all about creating machines (robots) that can perform tasks, and then programming them to actually do those tasks.

Examples of Robots

Robots are used in many different places:

  • Factory equipment – Machines on assembly lines that build cars, package products, or inspect items for quality
  • Domestic robots – Household devices like robotic vacuum cleaners or lawn mowers that help with chores
  • Drones – Flying robots that can deliver packages, take photographs, or survey farmland

How Robots Work

Robots carry out tasks by following a precise set of programmed instructions. This means someone has written detailed computer code that tells the robot exactly what to do, step by step. The robot then follows these instructions very carefully to complete its job.

Characteristics of a Robot

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All robots share three main characteristics (features) that make them robots:

1. Mechanical Structure or Framework

This is the robot's physical body – the parts you can see and touch.

  • The mechanical structure allows the robot to move and interact with its environment
  • It might include wheels, arms, grippers, or other moving parts
  • For example, a robot arm in a factory has joints that bend like a human arm, allowing it to reach different positions

2. Electrical Components

Robots contain various electronic parts that help them sense the world and take action:

  • Sensors – These detect information from the surroundings (like cameras that "see", microphones that "hear", or touch sensors that detect when the robot bumps into something)
  • Microprocessors – These are tiny computers inside the robot that process information and make decisions based on the program
  • Actuators – These are components that create movement (like motors that spin wheels or move robot arms)

Think of it this way: sensors are like the robot's senses, the microprocessor is like its brain, and actuators are like its muscles.

3. Programmable

Robots are designed to follow instructions written in computer code.

  • A programmer writes a set of precise instructions (a program) that tells the robot what to do
  • The robot follows these instructions exactly
  • The program can be changed or updated to make the robot do different tasks

For example, you could program a robot vacuum cleaner to clean at 3 PM every day, or change the program so it cleans at 10 AM instead.

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