International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)

Volume 6 Issue 7, November-December 2022 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470

A Primer on Robotics
Matthew N. O. Sadiku , Uwakwe C. Chukwu2, Abayomi Ajayi-Majebi3, Sarhan M. Musa1
1

1
Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, USA
2
Department of Engineering Technology, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC, USA
3
Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Central State University, Wilberforce, OH

ABSTRACT How to cite this paper: Matthew N. O.

Robotics is the discipline of designing and constructing machines, Sadiku | Uwakwe C. Chukwu | Abayomi
called robots. Ajayi-Majebi | Sarhan M. Musa "A
Primer on Robotics" Published in
A robot is an autonomous mechanical device that is designed to sense International
its environment, carry out computations to make decisions, and Journal of Trend in
perform actions like humans in the real world. It is a system that Scientific Research
contains sensors, control systems, power supplies, and software, all and Development
working together to perform a task. Robotics is a relatively young (ijtsrd), ISSN:
field with highly ambitious goals. It is producing a huge range of 2456-6470,
Volume-6 | Issue-7, IJTSRD52399
devices, from autonomous vacuum cleaners to military drones. This
December 2022,
paper is a primer of robotics and robots.
pp.614-621, URL:
KEYWORDS: robots, robotics, artificial intelligence, applications www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd52399.pdf

Copyright © 2022 by author (s) and

International Journal of Trend in
Scientific Research and Development
Journal. This is an
Open Access article
distributed under the
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Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)

INTRODUCTION
Popular interest in robotics has increased in recent term “robotics” in 1942 and came up with three rules
years. Robots are already a part of our lives. They are to guide the behavior of robots and later added the
becoming more and more common in our society and zeroth law [3]:
more integrated into our lives. This is due to the fact Law 0: A robot may not injure humanity or
that they are becoming smarter, smaller, cheaper, through inaction, allow humanity to come to
faster, more flexible, and more autonomous than ever harm.
before, largely due in part by incorporating artificial Law 1: Robots must never harm human beings,
intelligence. Robotics technology has been Law 2: Robots must follow instructions from
implemented in a variety of fields including medicine, humans without violating rule 1,
elderly care, rehabilitation, education, home Law3: Robots must protect themselves without
appliances, search and rescue, car industry and more. violating the other rules.
Robotics constitutes one of the most exciting fields of
Robots are becoming increasingly prevalent in almost
technology today, presenting new applications for
every industry, from healthcare to manufacturing.
autonomous systems that can impact everyday life. Figure 1 indicates that robotics is one of the branches
Today, there are robots that can autonomously sense,
of artificial intelligence.
reason, plan, act, move, communicate, and
collaborate with other robots. The robotics revolution Although there are many types of robots designed for
is going to change us as humans [1,2]. different environments and for different
purposes/applications, they all share four basic
WHAT ARE ROBOTS? similarities [4]: (1) All robots have some form of
The word “robot” was coined by Czechriter Karel mechanical construction designed to achieve a
Čapek in his play in 1920. Isaac Asimov coined the
particular task; (2) They have electrical components

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which power and control the machinery; (3) All Chatbots: These robots carry out simple
robots must be able to sense its surroundings; a robot conversations such as in a customer service
may have light sensors (eyes), touch and pressure setting. Chatbots have empowered the banks and
sensors (hands), chemical sensors (nose), hearing and other financial institutions by simplifying the
sonar sensors (ears), etc. (4) All robots contain some complex processes. We interact with Facebook
level of computer programming code. Programs are Messenger bots all the time. Messenger bots are
the core essence of a robot since they provide revolutionizing the small business world.
intelligence. There are three different types of robotic Messenger bots can answer customers’ questions,
programs: remote control, artificial intelligence, and collect user’s info, organize meetings, reduce
hybrid. Some robots are programmed to faithfully overhead costs, and engage in other business
carry out specific actions over and over again tasks. Big companies like Walmart, Alibaba, and
(repetitive actions) without variation and with a high Amazon have been benefitting the help of bots.
degree of accuracy.
Industrial Robots: The most common use of
TYPES OF ROBOTICS robots in industry is for simple and repetitive
Robotics can take on a number of forms, leading to tasks. The role of robots is becoming substantial
many types of robots. They are designed for different for industrial applications. Examples of industrial
environments and various applications. The robots include assembly line processes, picking
commonly used types of robots are the following [4- and packing, welding, and similar functions.
6]: Robots can reduce risk of injury to humans in
dangerous work environments.
Humanoid Robots: These are robots that mimic
human behavior. They usually perform human- Military Robots: In the military sectors, robotic
like activities (like walking, running, jumping, technology is being applied in many areas. More
and carrying objects). recent developments mean that military forces
worldwide use robots in areas such as UAVs
Autonomous Robots: These operate independently
(Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), UGVs (Unmanned
of human operators. They require no human
Ground Vehicle), drones, and surveillance.
supervision. An example of an autonomous robot
Military drones flying over areas of war and
is the vacuum cleaner, shown in Figure 2 [7].
conflict, in hostage situations, and for natural and
Teleoperated Robots: These are semi-autonomous manmade disasters. The military also employs
bots that allow human control from a safe robots to (1) locate and destroy mines on land and
distance using wireless networks. in water, (2) enter enemy bases to gather
Collaborative Robots: These robots (known as information, and (3) spy on enemy troops.
cobots) are flexible and easily reprogrammable on Exploration Robots: Robots are often used to
the fly. They can learn complex tasks and then act reach hostile or inaccessible areas. A good
as a collaborator with the skilled workers. They example of exploratory robots is in space
are capable of avoiding unwanted collisions and exploration. Robots can go to the planets. They
they can recognize when they have bumped into can be used to explore space.
something. Collaborative robots may be regarded
as the friendly face of workplace automation. Entertainment Robots: Robots can be used in
entertaining audiences. Increasingly (particularly
Drones: DRONE (Dynamic Remotely Operated during the pandemic), people are buying robots
Navigation Equipment) is commonly referred as for enjoyment. There are several popular toy
unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Drones are robots, and there are even robot restaurants and
equipped with all the software, sensors, and giant robot statues.
hardware that a farmer will need to check the
Other types include manipulators, medical robots,
health of crop and survey farmland. A drone
agriculture robots, nanorobots, construction robots,
typically consists of propulsion and navigation
swarm robots, domestic robots, educational robots,
systems, GPS, sensors, infrared cameras,
mobile robots, fixed robots, service robots, social
software, and programmable controllers. Drones
robots, rehabilitation robots, underwater robots, field
are flying robots, a type of robots, that are poised
robots, self-driving vehicles, cloud robots, police
to proliferate in certain commercial sectors.
robots, officer robots, space robots, personal robots,
Drones can help utility crews after a storm by
and sailboat robots [8].
quickly and safely identifying areas in need of
repair. Drones can also help with maintenance
tasks, such as surveying solar panels for damage.

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HISTORY OF ROBOTICS responsible for designing, testing, and building robots
The history of robotics is a history rich with that are productive, safe, and economical to purchase
cinematic creativity, scientific ingenuity, and and maintain [9]. They create robots and systems to
entrepreneurial vision. The advent of motion pictures improve the efficiency, output, and safety of a wide
brought to life many mythical creatures. The field of range of tasks. Figure 3 shows a robot engineer at
robotics has evolved over several millennia, without work [10].
reference to the word robot until the early 20th Like any engineering discipline, robotics engineering
Century. Leonardo da Vinci created many human-
requires being strong in math and sciences. This
inspired, robot-like sketches, designs, and models in discipline has a vast range of job opportunities for
the 1500s.
graduates in robotics engineering. Robotic engineers
The word “robot” was coined by a Czechoslovakian can take jobs in manufacturing, maintenance, research
playwright, Karel Čapek in his play in 1920. Isaac of nuclear power plants, space exploration, power
Asimov coined the term “robotics” in 1942 and came plant, maintenance, automobile industry, petroleum
up with three rules to guide the behavior of robots. He exploring places, and many other areas. Reasons for
popularized the term robotics through many science- becoming a robotics engineer include using your
fiction novels and short stories. In 1954, Joseph creativity, collaboration, and high-paying job.
Engleberger and George Devoe created the first robot.
APPLICATIONS
They were the fathers of industrial robots. Their
More and more robots are designed for specific
company, Unimation, built the first industrial robot,
applications. Today, robots perform vital functions in
the PUMA (Programmable Universal Manipulator
manufacturing, homes, industries, entertainment,
Arm) in 1961. From 1966 to 1972 Shakey, the Robot, education, healthcare, business, customer service,
was developed at the AIC by Charles Rosen and his
security, agriculture, outer space, hospitals, and on
team. Shakey was the first mobile robot to reason its
military instillations. Common applications of
way about its surroundings and had a far-reaching
robotics are presented as follows [11-13]
influence on AI and robotics. In 1981 Japanese
created Scara arm which is especially designed for Automation: Most robots are used in
product assembly. The idea of this robot is to do what automobile industries to perform repetitive
human does and sony walk man was the first robot tasks. Rapid advances in technology have led to
assembly. The International Space Station (ISS), an interest in automation and robotics. Robotic
coordinated by Boeing and involving nations from automation has become one of the key areas for
around the globe, is the largest and most expensive modern manufacturing systems. Robotic
space mission ever undertaken. In 2001, the Space automation is applicable to virtually any industry
Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), built imaginable, just as automotive, electronics, food,
by MD Robotics of Canada, was successfully and manufacturing. It is used in manufacturing to
launched to complete the assembly operations of the change the industry landscape by increasing
ISS. In 2002, a Predator UAV( unmanned aerial productivity, repeatability, and precision while
vehicle or drone) fired a Hellfire missile to destroy a protecting employees from unsafe working
car carrying six suspected al Qaeda operatives. This environments. Several economists believe
strike marked a milestone in the use of robotics in employment in routine occupations has declined
military settings. At Sandia National Laboratory’s and automation is a wave of technological change
Intelligent Systems and Robotics Center, there is an that could lead to a structural shift in the labor
ongoing development of robotic sentries, under market and lead to “job polarization.”
funding from DARPA [9]. Manufacturing: The manufacturing sector
ROBOTICS ENGINEER represents the largest private industry in the
Although the robotic revolution is just beginning, new United States. It is well known to be a major
applications for robots are being discovered every contributor in both economic good times and
day. As a result of this, there is a considerable need economic recessions. To boost productivity,
for skilled robotics engineers. Robotics engineering is manufacturing companies turn to advanced
a developing field that combines data analysis, technology such as robotic automation.
engineering, and computer science. If you love Automation refers to any technology that reduces
working with machines and are fascinated by robots, the need for human assistance. It essentially
then you may consider becoming a robotics engineer. describes mechanization, machines replacing
Robotics engineer deal with the conception, design, human labor or human decision-making. It can
manufacture, and operation of robots. They are have far-reaching consequences in manufacturing.
Automotive industry is the largest user of robots

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in advanced nations around the world. In major healthcare issues in surgery, diagnostics,
particular, it is the largest customer of industrial prosthetics, physical and mental therapy,
robots. Robots are used in almost every aspect of monitoring, and support. Robots can support,
automotive manufacturing. Robots are more assist, and extend the services of healthcare
efficient, accurate, flexible, and dependable on professionals. In jobs with repetitive and
production lines. monotonous functions they might even
completely replace humans. Robots have the
Education: There are many robots available with
potential to provide assistance to healthcare
some keys to promoting robotics learning in the
providers in daily caregiving tasks. Transport,
classroom. These are known as educational
telemedicine, and service robots in healthcare
robots. Educational robots (also known as
promise to create a new level of quality healthcare
pedagogical robots) teaches the design, analysis,
by providing experts to patients. A specific
application, and operation of robots. Educational
application using the da Vinci robot for surgery is
robotics can be taught from elementary school to
shown in Figure 5 [15].
graduate programs. They are used to allow
students to pick up skills in a range of Science, Business: Advances in automation, robotics, and
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics artificial intelligence are revolutionizing how
(STEM) disciplines. Educational robotics is businesses are run. Modern robots are far more
considered as a means of forming the engineering capable than their early predecessors. They have
thinking and creativity in schoolchildren. transitioned beyond the production line to see
Educational robots enable students of all ages to widespread use in homes, restaurants, hotels,
become familiar with and deepen their knowledge offices, retail outlets, and hospitals. Small,
of robotics and programming. The robots medium, and large businesses have integrated
facilitate learning and introduce students to robotics in order to achieve higher levels of
robotics at a young age. As students grow older, efficiency and productivity. Businesses are
more advanced robots can be used that can increasingly adopting robots to meet different
perform more complex tasks and are more operational challenges brought about by new
complicated to program. technologies. More and more businesses are
Agriculture: A farming robot revolution is turning to robots to help with various tasks.
imminent, with robots ready to roll into the fields Businesses around the world are increasing their
and start replacing human workers. Robots are use of robots.
already roaming the fields amid farmers, Space: Commercial space robots have been
performing a variety of tasks from crop- designed for servicing satellites and performing
harvesting to risk management. Automation in construction on the moon. The goal is to allow for
agriculture can provide greater and smarter space-based manufacturing, which will reduce the
control to the farmers. An increasing number of complexity and cost of building large structures
companies are working on robotics innovation to that can support human life. Some robots will
develop drones, autonomous tractors, robotic effectively eliminate some of the problems that
harvesters, automatic watering, and seeding have limited our exploration of space. Robots
robots. Robots have many fields of application in would enable the repair and construction of
agriculture. Drones can provide sustainable simple structures being built in space. NASA’s
farming, improve yield, and increase farm Johnson Space Center is designing the next
productivity, and profitability. Drone technology generation of autonomous robots that will help
is currently being used for a variety of humans explore the solar system. While
applications such as monitoring, mapping, autonomous robots have conducted scientific
irrigation, crop inspection, spraying, and missions in the past, NASA’s team is focused on
surveying entire fields. Figure 4 shows farming advancing human space exploration. The goal is
automation [14]. to enable human beings to visit other planets and
do meaningful work there.
Healthcare: Robots have moved from science
fiction to your local hospital, where they are BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES
changing healthcare. Robots play an important Robotics is the design, repair, and maintenance of
role in healthcare as they can improve diagnosis, robots. Robots are machines designed to perform
lower the number of medical errors, and improve tasks done traditionally by human beings. There are
the overall quality and effectiveness of healthcare signs all around us indicating that the field of robotics
delivery. They hold the promise of addressing is going through a major transformation

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The field of robotics is facing many challenges based books in [8,17-32] and the following related journals
on its hardware and software capabilities. These devoted to robotics:
challenges have to do with autonomy, navigation, Robotica
new materials, applications, and social interactions. Robotics
As robots become increasingly integrated into Robitics and Autonomous
society, ethics and security will become important. Robotics and Computer-Integrated
Manufacturing,
FUTURE OF ROBOTS
Advanced Robotics
Robotics is a diverse industry with many variables. Its
future is filled with uncertainty: nobody can predict Autonomous Robots
which way. While robotic workers are now Journal of Robotics
Journal of Robotic Systems
commonplace in manufacturing, the future should see
Journal of Robotic Surgery
increasingly adoption across food production, retail,
Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics
business, construction, entertainment, hospitality,
Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems
healthcare, and distribution operations.
Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics-
There is no doubt that robots will play a major role in Transactions of the ASME
the future of the economy, both local and global. Journal of Automation, Mobile Robotics and
However, it is hard to predict how prevalent robots Intelligent Systems
will be in upcoming years. Understanding where the Journal of Future Robot Life
field of robotics is heading is basically using our IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters
insights on the impact robots might make in the near IEEE Transactions on Robotics
future. Due to the incredible potential of robotic International Journal of Medical Robotics and
technology, application opportunities are limitless in Computer Assisted Surgery
the future. Current trends lead many people to believe International Journal of Robotics Research
they will take over the workforce in many sectors and International Journal of Social Robotics
there will be increase in demand for automation [16]. International Journal of Humanoid Robotics
The robotics industry worldwide keeps innovating, International Journal of Advanced Robotic
combining artificial intelligence and vision and other Systems
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Figure 1 Robotics is one of the branches of artificial intelligence.

Figure 2 An autonomous robot is a vacuum cleaner [7].

Figure 3 A robot engineer at work [10].

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Figure 4 Farming automation [14].

Figure 5 Using the da Vinci robot for surgery [15].

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