What is Robotics engineering: Definition and 11 Discussions

Robotics is an interdisciplinary field that integrates computer science and engineering. Robotics involves design, construction, operation, and use of robots. The goal of robotics is to design machines that can help and assist humans. Robotics integrates fields of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, information engineering, mechatronics, electronics, bioengineering, computer engineering, control engineering, software engineering, mathematics, among others.
Robotics develops machines that can substitute for humans and replicate human actions. Robots can be used in many situations and for many purposes, but today many are used in dangerous environments (including inspection of radioactive materials, bomb detection and deactivation), manufacturing processes, or where humans cannot survive (e.g. in space, underwater, in high heat, and clean up and containment of hazardous materials and radiation). Robots can take on any form but some are made to resemble humans in appearance. This is said to help in the acceptance of a robot in certain replicative behaviors usually performed by people. Such robots attempt to replicate walking, lifting, speech, cognition, or any other human activity. Many of today's robots are inspired by nature, contributing to the field of bio-inspired robotics.
Certain robots require user input to operate while other robots function autonomously. The concept of creating robots that can operate autonomously dates back to classical times, but research into the functionality and potential uses of robots did not grow substantially until the 20th century. Throughout history, it has been frequently assumed by various scholars, inventors, engineers, and technicians that robots will one day be able to mimic human behavior and manage tasks in a human-like fashion. Today, robotics is a rapidly growing field, as technological advances continue; researching, designing, and building new robots serve various practical purposes, whether domestically, commercially, or militarily. Many robots are built to do jobs that are hazardous to people, such as defusing bombs, finding survivors in unstable ruins, and exploring mines and shipwrecks. Robotics is also used in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) as a teaching aid.

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  1. RodriRego

    Inverse Kinematics of a 6 DOF Robotic Arm

    Homework Statement Hello. My colleague and I have been struggling with this assignment where we have to: - Given the position and orientation of the end-effector of a robotic arm with 6 degrees of freedom get the joint angle values (inverse kinematics). The robotic arm in question is the...
  2. V

    How to develop a proper base to pursue an MS in Robotics?

    Hello Guys, I'm currently entering my final month of my Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. I've always wanted to learn more about robotics and Artificial Intelligence ,But never really put the time into it during my bachelors. I'm considering taking a break next year and applying for an MS...
  3. The_Inventor

    Programs Is it worth it to get a second Bachelor's in Engineering?

    Ever since high school I have always been interested in technology and hoped that one day I would be working in a field where I would get to build new gadgets and technologies (I had a particular interest in robotics). When it came time for college I was told by my teacher that physics was a...
  4. Erik Bethke

    Optimizing Robot Design: Heuristics for Efficient Performance

    Hello all, I am designing a lay-person-facing simulation that includes robots performing a broad array of tasks. I do not want to create magical can-do-anything robots that collapse all work to be performed to a simple abstraction. Rather, I would like to have relatively dedicated and...
  5. B

    Force needed turn robot wheel in stationary position

    How much force is required to turn the front wheel of a 4 wheel robot that weighs 200lb. Assume the wheel is 6inches wide, has a diameter of 12 inches (rubber). I would like to know how much force is required to turn a single wheel left or right when it is in stationary (non-moving) position...
  6. A

    MS vs PhD in Robotics:Which Program is Best for You?

    Hello everyone, To start, I found this forum incredibly helpful throughout my college education thus far. This forum has helped me pick my major in undergrad back in 2011, helped me narrow down which graduate program to gravitate toward upon graduation in 2015, and now I have a continued...
  7. vtechno1729

    Automotive What is a good linear actuator that has force feedback?

    Where can I find one of these? That is, are there linear actuators where I can specify the force it should apply and it gives me back exactly how much force was applied? Are there any linear actuators that can do this and also give me position feedback, i.e., where my object is after it has been...
  8. C

    Active Var. Compliance in Humanoid Robot Research

    I'm trying to do research on how active variable compliance can be achieve in a humanoid robot. Can anybody point me towards papers/patients that have already looked at this problem ?
  9. Harsh Yadav

    Electrical/Electronics Engineering VS Robotics Engineering

    Hi, I'm Harsh Yadav, from India. I am a 16 year old student. I love electronics, whenever I look at an electronic device I feel like I should open it. I am a bit confused regarding the course I should opt for (in my future studies). Should I pursue Electrical Engineering or...
  10. A

    Need Help Pursuing Career in Robotics

    Hello Everyone, I posted in Physics Forums back in 2011 trying to figure out what undergraduate Major to choose based off my interests. I had received very positive feedback then and am seeking more advice now that I am further along in my career. I am a recent undergrad graduate with a major...
  11. C

    Programs Should I double major in robotics engineering and physics?

    I'm going to be a freshman this year at UCSC. My initial plan was to double major in physics and pure mathematics, but I recently changed my mind after realizing that I want to obtain an education applicable to the real world (creating things and doing research on energy). Once I switched to...
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