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Applications and Future scope of Robotics-A Review

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 International Journal of Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Volume 3 Issue 1

Applications and Future scope of Robotics-A Review

Baskaran Sa1, Ramesh Kumar Tb2, Karrthik R Sc3

Assistant Professor1, 2, Associate Professor3
Department of Mechatronics
Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Erode, India
Corresponding Authors’ email id: baskaran@bitsathy.ac.in

Abstract
Robotics is the confluence of engineering and science that includes
mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science also it is
no more an emerging field as it has evolved so much in the last 10 years
and it is nearing an apex point .It is an ever growing field and many
avenues have opened up in recent past. The promise of robotics is easy to
describe but hard for the mind to grasp. A robot is a mechanical or virtual
intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance,
typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-
mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic
programming. Robots hold the promise of moving and transforming
materials with the same ease as a computer program transforms data. But
the grey spot remains wide when it comes to Research awareness in the
field of Robotics and Automation. Sooner or later Robotics and automation
will find its application in every facet of human life. The advancement in
technology would bring a day of robots omnipresence. They will soon
sneak everywhere from gadgets to apparels and to our very own bodies.
Hence it is the responsibility of engineering community to disseminate the
knowledge about the future scope and application of Robotics.

Keywords: Confluence, Research awareness, Omnipresence

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 International Journal of Robotics and Autonomous Systems
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INTRODUCTION Portable music player, cell phones are all

What are Robots? examples of embedded systems which
The term robot is derived from Czech have a controller built in to perform
word “robota” which means forced labor. specific activities.
Nobody has ever given a precise
explanation of what a robot is, although Robots: Robots are theoretically different
each of those definitions more or less in that they are equipped with sensors to
means the same. To make things simpler, perceive their environment and actuators
“Robot is a combination of electronics, to perform particular tasks and can take
mechanics and programming which senses intelligent decisions.
it’s surrounding through its sensors
processes the sensor information and does Although robots and embedded systems
something in response”. The response can seem like two extremes of engineering
be locomotion or manipulation, like world, the gap between them is reducing.
turning on a LED, rotating a wheel, We already know that washing machines
moving an arm, raising an alarm and so can sense dirt in cloths and takes
on. The branch of computer science and intelligent decisions. Air conditioners can
engineering which deals with robot design, sense outside temperature and adjust
construction, application and operation is internal room temperature. These are
called Robotics with applications in intelligent embedded systems built inside
computer science, physics, engineering, another bigger system which perceives it
defense and even many household devices. environment through its sensors and takes
corrective actions, thereby controlling the
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ROBOTS bigger system.
AND EMBEDDED SYSTEMS
Embedded System: Embedded system is Applications:
a combination of various electronic and Currently, robots perform a number of
mechanical parts which are designed to different jobs in numerous fields and the
perform a particular task (or a set of few amount of tasks delegated to robots is
tasks) in real time with high efficiency and rising progressively. The best way to split
performance. These systems are used in robots into types is a partition by their
various consumer electronics, medical application.
systems, military applications, etc.

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 International Journal of Robotics and Autonomous Systems
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Industrial robots – These robots bring delivering medical supplies and

into play in an industrialized equipment, including medications.
manufacturing atmosphere. Typically
these are articulated arms particularly Below are six top uses for robots in the
created for applications like- material field of medicine today.
handling, painting, welding and others.
1. Telepresence: Physicians use robots to
Domestic or household robots – Robots help them examine and treat patients in
which are used at home this sort of robots rural or remote locations, giving them a
consists of numerous different gears for “telepresence” in the room. Specialists can
example- robotic pool cleaners, robotic be on call, via the robot, to answer
sweepers, robotic vacuum cleaners, robotic questions and guide therapy from remote
sewer cleaners and other robots that can locations; the key features of these robotic
perform different household tasks. devices include navigation capability
within the Emergency Room(ER) and
Medical robots: Existing technologies are sophisticated cameras for the physical
being combined in new ways to streamline examination.
the efficiency of healthcare operations. As
a result, a wide range of robots is being 2. Surgical Assistants: These remote-
developed to serve in a variety of roles controlled robots assist surgeons with
within the medical environment. Robots performing operations, typically minimally
specializing in human treatment include invasive procedures. “The ability to
surgical robots and rehabilitation robots. manipulate a highly sophisticated robotic
The field of assistive and therapeutic arm by operating controls, seated at a
robotic devices is also expanding rapidly. workstation out of the operating room, is
These include robots that help patients the hallmark of surgical robots,”
rehabilitate from serious conditions like Additional applications for these surgical-
strokes, empathic robots that assist in the assistant robots are continually being
care of older or physically/mentally developed, as more advanced 3DHD
challenged individuals, and industrial technology gives surgeons the spatial
robots that take on a variety of routine references needed for highly complex
tasks, such as sterilizing rooms and surgery, including more enhanced natural

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 International Journal of Robotics and Autonomous Systems
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stereo visualization, combined with capabilities of transportation robots more

augmented reality. robust.”

3. Rehabilitation: 5. Sanitation:
These play a crucial role in the recovery of With the increase in antibiotic-resistant
people with disabilities, including bacteria and outbreaks of deadly infections
improved mobility, strength, coordination, like Ebola, more healthcare facilities are
and quality of life. These robots can be using robots to clean and disinfect
programmed to adapt to the condition of surfaces. “Currently, the primary methods
each patient as they recover from strokes, used for disinfection are UV light and
traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries, or hydrogen peroxide vapors,” says Sahi.
neurobehavioral or neuromuscular diseases “These robots can disinfect a room of any
such as multiple sclerosis. Virtual reality bacteria and viruses within minutes.”
integrated with rehabilitation robots can
also improve balance, walking, and other Military robots: Robots brought into play
motor functions. in military & armed forces. This sort of
robots consist of bomb discarding robots,
4. Medical: various shipping robots, exploration
Supplies, medications, and meals are drones. Often robots at the start produced
delivered to patients and staff by these for military and armed forces purposes can
robots, thereby optimizing communication be employed in law enforcement,
between doctors, hospital staff members, exploration and salvage and other
and patients. “Most of these machines associated fields.
have highly dedicated capabilities for self-
navigation throughout the facility,” states The military has always been at the cutting
ManojSahi, a research analyst with edge of technology, so it should come as
Tractica, a market intelligence firm that no surprise that the most advanced robots
specializes in technology. “There is, in the world are being built with military
however, a need for highly advanced and applications in mind. While the thought of
cost-effective indoor navigation systems autonomous machines carrying heavy
based on sensor fusion location technology armaments might make people a bit
in order to make the navigational nervous, they have the potential to
dramatically reduce loss of life, allowing

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 International Journal of Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Volume 3 Issue 1

soldiers to safely scout locations or breach modular design allows its controllers to
enemy locations. Many of them are even outfit it with a variety of armaments,
designed for support purposes, rather than ranging from non lethal lasers (designed to
eliminating threats. blind foes) to tear gas and even a grenade
launcher. The MAARS is a follow-up to
The MAARS (Modular Advanced Armed an earlier model of robot called SWORDS,
Robotic System) depicted in fig 1 fits a lot which saw deployment in Iraq a few years
of firepower into its diminutive frame. Its ago.

Fig 1: MAARS

Fig 2: Gladiator

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 International Journal of Robotics and Autonomous Systems
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Designed to assist the U.S. Marine Corps The Chinese-developed Anbot depicted in
in various operations, the Gladiator fig 3 is an armed police robot designed by
depicted in fig 2 Tactical Unmanned the country’s National Defense University.
Ground Vehicle looks like a small tank, Capable of reaching max speeds of 11
and can be outfitted with various modular mph, the machine is intended to patrol
tools and armaments depending on what areas and, in the case of danger, can
the situation calls for. Although it tops out deploy an “electrically charged riot control
at 10 miles per hour, the Gladiator trades tool.” Those worried about the Anbot’s
speed for toughness; it has an armored resemblance to a Dalek, take heart; no blue
hull, and users can mount machine guns police boxes have yet been seen in its
and grenade launchers directly onto its vicinity.
body.

Fig 3: Anbot

Fig 4: Black Hornet

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 International Journal of Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Volume 3 Issue 1

Another model of flying surveillance RoboBeedepicted in fig 5 is a tiny robot

robot, the Black Hornet depicted in fig 4 is capable of partially untethered flight,
made by Prox Dynamics, and looks like a developed by a research robotics team at
miniature helicopter. The machine Harvard University. The culmination of
contains cameras that can stream live twelve years of research, RoboBee solved
video to the user, allowing them to scout two key technical challenges of micro-
areas from a safe distance. Small, quiet, robotics. Engineers invented a process
and helpful on the battlefield, the Black inspired by pop-up books that allowed
Hornet is like a Mission Impossible gadget them to build on a sub-millimeter scale
in real life. The robot has already seen its precisely and efficiently. To achieve flight,
share of action, too. Speaking with UAS they created artificial muscles capable of
Vision, British Major Adam Foden said beating the wings 120 times per second.
that the military has already begun
deploying the Black Hornet inside The goal of the RoboBee project is to
compounds in an effort to clear routes make a fully autonomous swarm of flying
through enemy-held spaces. It’s worked robots for applications such as search and
well thus far, and frequently transmits rescue, surveillance and artificial
clear and concise images back to British pollination
forces.

Fig 5: Robobee

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 International Journal of Robotics and Autonomous Systems
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Another model of flying surveillance These toy robots can usually move around,
robot, the Black Hornet is made by Prox like the Aibo, Robo-sapien or the QRIO.
Dynamics, and looks like a miniature Entertainment robots are machines that are
helicopter. The machine contains cameras built to entertain (usually children) using
that can stream live video to the user, several different features.
allowing them to scout areas from a safe
distance. Small, quiet, and helpful on the
battlefield, the Black Hornet is like a
Mission Impossible gadget in real life.

The robot has already seen its share of

action, too. Speaking with UAS Vision,
British Major Adam Foden said that the
military has already begun deploying the
Black Hornet inside compounds in an
Fig 6: Robosapien
effort to clear routes through enemy-held
spaces. It’s worked well thus far, and
Robosapien depicted in fig 6 is a toy-like
frequently transmits clear and concise
biomorphic robot designed by Mark Tilden
images back to British forces.
and produced by WowWee toys. The
Robosapien is preprogrammed with
Entertainment robots: Entertainment
moves, and also can be controlled by an
Robots Entertainment robots perform
infrared remote control included with the
many different tasks, like singing and
toy, or by either a personal computer
dancing, but they all have one goal. To
equipped with an infrared PDA.
entertain humans these robots take the
place of comedians, parents, or even pets.
The toy's remote control unit has a total of
Entertainment robots can have
21 different buttons. With the help of two
conversations with people, serve sodas at
shift buttons, a total of 67 different robot-
restaurants, or even carry kids.
executable commands are accessible.

What do entertainment robots do?

QRIO ("Quest for cuRIOsity", originally
Entertainment robots are usually found in
named Sony Dream Robot or SDR) was a
households, acting as toys for children.

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 International Journal of Robotics and Autonomous Systems
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bipedal humanoid entertainment robot approximately 0.6 m (2 feet) tall and

developed and marketed (but never sold) weighed 7.3 kg (16 pounds). QRIO's
by Sony to follow up on the success of its slogan was "Makes life fun, makes you
AIBO entertainment robot. QRIO stood happy!"

Fig 7: QRIO

Fig 8: Aibo

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 International Journal of Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Volume 3 Issue 1

AIBO (Artificial Intelligence Robot) make scientific research measurements is

depicted in fig 8is an iconic series of often called a space probe. Many space
roboticpets designed and manufactured by missions are more suited to
Sony. Sony announced a prototype robot teleroboticrather than crewed operation,
in mid-1998. The first consumer model due to lower cost and lower risk factors
was introduced on May 11, 1999.New Robonaut is a joint DARPA–NASA
models were released every year until project designed to create a humanoid
2005. AIBOs were marketed for domestic robot which can function as an equivalent
use as "Entertainment Robots". They were to humans during extra-vehicular activity
also widely adopted by universities for (space walks) and exploration. The large
educational purposes (e.g. Robocup) and goal of the Robonaut project is to build a
research into robotics and human-robot robot with dexterity that exceeds that of a
interaction. AIBOs have been used in suited astronaut. Currently there are four
many movies, music videos and different robonauts with others in
advertising campaigns as futuristic icons development, this variety of robonauts
allows for the study of different stages of
Space Robots: Robots are most widely mobility and tasking for each situation. All
used in space research. It can easily work four versions of this robot use various
in harmful space where human being can’t locomotion methods. Some versions of the
perform. A robotic spacecraft designed to robot use the Segway HT for locomotion

Fig 9: Robonaut

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 International Journal of Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Volume 3 Issue 1

Robonaut uses telepresence and various hold 40 pounds of material. The little robot
levels of robotic autonomy. While not all will then drive to a processing plant where
human range of motion and sensitivity has the lunar soil could be chemically broken
been duplicated, the robot's hand has down and converted into rocket fuel, water
fourteen degrees of freedom and uses or breathing air for astronauts working on
touch sensors at the tips of its fingers. the moon and even possibly mars. In-situ
resource utilization of lunar soil for fuel
RASSOR: Pronounced “razor”, RASSOR could save the costs of launching a rocket
stands for Regolith Advanced Surface as 90% of the rockets weight consists of
Systems Operations Robot. It is a lunar propellants.
robot that will autonomously excavate soil
when it is near completion, with its small Underwater robotics:
tank like chassis with a Drum excavator Underwater robotics is a branch of
and either side mounted on arms which robotics. Underwater robots depicted in fig
can help the robot climb over obstacles 10 can be autonomous, or they can be
that may be in its way. With these arms the remotely operated. This is an emerging
robot can successfully right itself if it flips science, which has become more popular
over and lift itself off the ground the clear with evolving technology. There are many
its tracks of debris. applications of underwater robotics such as
scientific exploration, military use, and
With the drums positioned vertically hobbies.
RASSOR stands at about 2.5 ft. tall and
expected to weigh about 100 pounds. With Besides capability of swimming an
a top speed of about 4 centimeters per underwater robot also has multi DOF
second (nearly five times faster than the manipulators and end effectors on these
Curiosity rover on mars) the RASSOR will arms of various types to perform
work 16 hours a day for many years. In its underwater tasks such as construction,
design NASA has moved away from its salvage, rescue and repair. They can also
usual fragile and slow robot to design help in collecting items that are deeply
something more robust and hardy. submerged inside the sea, used by the
military and scientists mostly.
The 2 excavating drums are designed to
slowly remove soil into a hopper that can

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Fig 10: Under water Robots

Electric Mobility: Mobility as a term used developing a new class of biologically

in logistics usually refers to shipping, inspired robots that exhibit much greater
trucking, aviation, vehicle, and any robustness in performance in unstructured
transportation related states. Most cities environments than today's robots.It is
around the world currently face three about learning concepts from nature and
major transportation problems with the applying them to the design of real-world
foremost problem being the traffic engineered systems.
capacity overflow, meaning too many
automobilesto address thisrobotics More specifically, this field is about
applications are also involved in electric making robots that are inspired by
mobility to transport goods economically biologicalsystems. Biomimicry and bio-
and without polluting the environment. inspired design are sometimes confused.
Biomimicry is copying the nature while
Bio-inspired and Bio Mimicking bio-inspired design is learning from nature
Robots: Bio Mimicking robots or robots and making a mechanism that is simpler
which are designed based on some animals and more effective than the system
and creatures are so fascinating and observed in nature.
amazing that they are already being loved
for their designs and the amazing work
they offer.This research is aimed at

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 International Journal of Robotics and Autonomous Systems
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Fig 11: Bio Inspired Robots

Humanoid Robotics: A humanoid robot

is a robot with its body shape built to
resemble that of the human body. A
humanoid design might be for functional
purposes, such as interacting with human
tools and environments, for experimental
purposes, such as the study of bipedal
Fig 11: Humanoid Robot
locomotion, or for other purposes.

FUTURE OF ROBOTICS
In general, humanoid robots have a torso, a
There is no denying that Robotic
head, two arms, and two legs, though some
technologies are all set to change the way
forms of humanoid robots may model only
things are done in the industries in which
part of the body, for example, from the
they are being implemented. Entrepreneurs
waist up. Some humanoid robots may also
are voicing a similar sentiment and are
have heads designed to replicate human
clearly optimistic about the use of
facial features such as eyes and mouths.
Robotics in various industrial segments.
Androids are humanoid robots built to
Robotics is mainly capturing industries
aesthetically resemble humans. Japan ,
like manufacturing, pharmaceutical,
karelcapek invented the first humanoid
FMCG, packaging and inspection. A bit of
robot.
Robotics would also be seen in the
healthcare sector primarily in the form of
assistive and skill development

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 International Journal of Robotics and Autonomous Systems
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