What are types of robots?

Hi Justin,

The fundamental challenge of all robotics is this: It is impossible to ever know the true state of the environment. A robot can only guess the state of the real world based on measurements returned by its sensors. It can only attempt to change the state of the real world through the application of its control signals.

Thus, one of the first steps in control design is to come up with an abstraction of the real world, known as a model, with which to interpret our sensor readings and make decisions. As long as the real world behaves according to the assumptions of the model, we can make good guesses and exert control. As soon as the real world deviates from these assumptions, however, we will no longer be able to make good guesses, and control will be lost. Often, control once lost can never be regained.

Every robot comes with different capabilities and control concerns. Let’s get familiar with our simulated robot.

The first thing to note is that, in this guide, our robot will be an autonomous mobile robot. This means that it will move around in space freely, and that it will do so under its own control. This is in contrast to, say, an RC robot (which is not autonomous) or a factory robot arm (which is not mobile). Our robot must figure out for itself how to achieve it’s goals and survive in its environment, which proves to be a surprisingly difficult challenge for a novice robotics programmer.

Control Inputs - Sensors

There are many different ways a robot may be equipped to monitor its environment. These can include anything from proximity sensors, light sensors, bumpers, cameras, and so forth. In addition, robots may communicate with external sensors that give it information the robot itself cannot directly observe.

Our robot is equipped with 9 infrared proximity sensors arranged in a “skirt” in every direction. There are more sensors facing the front of the robot than the back, because it is usually more important for the robot to know what is in front of it than what is behind it.

Control Outputs - Mobility

Some robots move around on legs. Some roll like a ball. Some even slither like a snake.

Our robot is a differential drive robot, meaning that it rolls around on two wheels. When both wheels turn at the same speed, the robot moves in a straight line. When the wheels move at different speeds, the robot turns. Thus, controlling movement of this robot comes down to properly controlling the rates at which each of these two wheels turn.

The Goal

Robots, like people, need purpose in life. The goal of programming this robot will be very simple: it will attempt to make its way to a predetermined goal point. The coordinates of the goal are programmed into the control software before the robot is activated.

However, to complicate matters, the environment of the robot may be strewn with obstacles. The robot MAY NOT collide with an obstacle on its way to the goal. Therefore, if the robot encounters an obstacle, it will have to find its way around so that it can continue on its way to the goal.

Read all the article ( written by a professional software engineer ) with many types of robots, in:

http://www.toptal.com/robotics/programming-a-robot-an-introductory-tutorial

All the Best!!