Robot Kits

By: Deven



Fascinated with electronics, then you will be doubly fascinated with the robots. And if you are indeed, then get yourself the robot kits so that you can have an amazing learning experience at your home. With the robot kits not only you will be able to understand and implement the knowledge of electronics, but after completion of the task you can have the ultimate robotic companion. But for the beginners, let us understand what is a robotic kit? Technically a robot kit is a special construction kit, which is used for building robots, especially autonomous mobile robots. In all, the robot kits are a great educational tool that keeps you involved and informed at the same time.

The robot kits are available for all the age groups and there can be many options while selecting it. Beginners can start with the entry level robot kits to venture in this field. Remember it is always better to understand the complete process and technique involved before you start with a costly robot kit. This is just to avoid any accidents in the process. The robot kits typically consist of structural elements, mechanical elements, motors (or other actuators), sensors and a controller board that controls the inputs and outputs of the robot. Some advanced robot kits are also available without electronics so as to provide you the opportunity to use your won designed electronics controllers and other circuits.
There are many manufacturers and designers of robot kits who provide a wide array of mechanical, programmable and various other multifunction robot kits. The general robot kits are a combination of mechanical and electronics process with a programmable chipset and can be used widely as great educational tool, whereas the high-end robot kits are similar, and the only difference being much complexity that can be a product of artificial intelligence, which is incorporated in the robots. These high-end robots take a great length of time to complete and can be taken as a group task, rather than an individual activity.

One of the popular robot kits are qfix robot kits. The qfix robot kits are an excellent educational tool for purpose of teaching robotics. They are widely popular and are commonly used in schools, high schools and mechatronics training in companies. Apart from this hobby robot builders commonly use the robot kits. Another popular robot kit is manufactured by the legendry Lego Mindstorms and consists of mechanical parts, a advanced controller, various sensors and actuators, and a software environment in order to program the constructed robot. In the qfix robot kits the mechanical parts are made of aluminum and all elements are industry standard. The mechanical elements in the robot kits include bars and plates, holders for motors and sensors, axes and wheels. Generally, Atmel controllers are used as electronics components.

Mastering this activity can lead you to the competitions that are held at various levels for robot building. This can be the most rewarding experience for any participant to present and display his or her robot.

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Fun And Easy Robot Building With Lego Mindstorm NXT

By: Jonathan Brunet

Robot hobbyists, come aboard. Lego has come up with the next generation Lego Mindstorm, NXT. The real easy way of forming, programming, and manipulating your very own robotic Lego creation. Don’t be intimidated. You need not be a true blue robotics expert to enjoy the Lego Mindstorm NXT. Amateurs and professionals, kids and adults alike would definitely enjoy the collection spontaneously.

The same concept in Lego building is followed. You need to have the usual Lego building blocks that come with the kit. The kit includes about 519 parts that you piece together. You can either follow the instructions on the guide that comes with it or add your creativity and construct your own robot creation The Lego Mindstorm NXT guide contains easy to follow guides and pictures. You can deviate from the design as you wish. Since it’s easy to follow, kids will find it simple and enjoyable to do. Big kids would look forward to the programming part of the Lego Mindstorm.

The Lego Mindstorm’s robotic ability to execute commands is because of the NXT main data controller named the "intelligent brick". There it contains the firmware, the memory and the program needed for it to work. This is the big yellow Lego brick that you’d construct the robot on. You’ll build around this piece. The heart of the new system is the NXT brick, an autonomous 32-bit LEGO microprocessor that can be programmed using a PC, or for the first time in the retail offering, a Mac. After building their robots, users create a program within easy-to-use yet feature-rich software, powered by LabVIEW from National Instruments.

The Lego Mindstorms NXT Set
1. Brick and sensors
2. Curved beams
3. Straight beams
4. Miscellaneous parts
5. Connectors
6. Angled connectors
7. Axles
8. Gears
9. Wheels
10. Wire

The addition of sensors to the Lego Mindstorm NXT give user's creations a whole new level of awareness. Ultrasonic sensors allow robots to "see", sound sensors enable robots to react to sound commands including sound pattern and tone recognition. Improved light and touch sensors allow your robot to see colors and feel or touch objects.

When it comes to programming, this will be the fun part. Programming gurus would definitely have a kick out of it. Novices will find it simple and easy. There’s a series of commands that you can select, drag and drop into your set of commands. Click a button and watch your creation perform the task.

You can select a series of preset commands in there. This means that no programming knowledge is required whatsoever. Codes are already in there, ready for you to select and activate. Good for newbies. The robot can go different directions, reverse, or roll over. There’s also an option to create your own chain of program codes which professionals will find appealing. The robot can do plain or complicated tasks depending on the user.

This program will then be beamed from the computer via Bluetooth or the included USB 2.0 cable to your Lego Mindstorm NXT robot. Then just sit back and watch your Lego Mindstorm NXT robot execute your commands. The Lego Mindstorm is simply not just a toy. It is actually used by universities teaching robotics. The simple robotic logic and design will be good for students to understand the basics of robotics. Lego Mindstorm NXT will enhance your creativity, skills, and technical background. Highly recommended to hobbyists out there. It’s very technical yet simple. Right on for anyone’s taste.

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Robotics In Health Care

By: ForProcessAutomation.com

Medical robotics is a remarkable technology that can provide health care to geographic areas that have limited access to medical specialists using tele-robotic surgery.

We haven’t quite reached the Jetson age of personal robots to do all of our work around the house. There are still quite a few developments in robotics, however, that affect humans in our day to day lives, although we might not recognize them as such. The robots in real life are not generally manufactured to look like people, but they nevertheless carry out many functions that would be dangerous or difficult for a human to do.

One area where the use of robotics has advanced considerably is that of healthcare. Robotics are now used in many areas of healthcare, including surgery, home care, and hospital processes.

In surgery, the advancement of robotics has made the surgical process easier on both the patient and the surgeon. Robotic intelligence and precision have combined to eliminate human limitations. Robotic surgery allows a surgeon to navigate to the area of operation with minimal cutting, ensuring both a less invasive procedure and a faster recuperation time. Robotic surgery also allows for more precise placement of tools within the surgical area, minimizing the risks of slippage or error.

In home healthcare, the current focus is largely on human labor. The aging population of baby boomers has already put a strain on the home health care situation which is only going to increase in the next ten to twenty years. Already, many home health care providers are feeling the strain of an industry that is increasingly becoming an employees market, where the supply of qualified health providers simply does not meet the demand.

In order to fill this void, there are many research projects underway in the field of home health care robotics. Some of the areas include telenursing for those in need of remote home care, mobile health status monitoring, home health diagnosis equipment, mobility assistance for bedridden patients, and auditory and visual assistance for the elderly (http://web.mit.edu/afs/athena.mit.edu/user/a/s/asada/www/workshop.html). The completion and implementation of these ideas will revolutionize the home health care industry, both in terms of individual capacity and in expense.

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There's a Robot in Our House!

By: James Monahan

"AI." "Bicentennial Man." "The Jetsons." "Richie Rich." "I, Robot." These films and TV programs may have elicited various emotions and opinions from the viewers.

Indeed, these movies and shows have unveiled the different sides of robots. However, they still point out a certain fact --- that robots, or robotic devices, are smart, fast, and hardworking. They perform according to their assigned purpose or duty. And they can be the most reliable members of your household. Yes, your very own household!

From vacuum cleaners and surveillance systems to pets and leisure gadgets, robotic devices are definitely "invading" our homes.

In fact, a study released last year by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe revealed that more than 600,000 consumer robots or household robotic devices were used all over the world in 2003. The Commission also predicted that an additional four million units would be used in the next three years.

More and more consumers are joining the "robotics bandwagon" --- purchasing devices basically to make their lives easier and less complicated. These people have discovered that their lifestyles should be attuned with the modern, fast-paced times.

Are you one of them? Why should YOU use robotic devices in your home? Here's a list of some of the numerous benefits that such technological gadgets can give you:

1) They make work --- and life --- easier for you.

The Scooba is a household, robotic floor cleaner designed for hard floors made of materials such as tile and linoleum. It vacuums up loose particles and applies cleaner to soak up dirt, then dries the floor, which also makes it safe for wood.

Household robotic gadgets willingly, and literally, do the dirty work for you. Consider the robot vacuum cleaner which can do the following:

It cleans effectively and efficiently. Since it cleans more dirt in a single sweep as compared to standard upright vacuums, the robot vacuum cleaner actually saves 50% of your time.

It cleans a whole area. Because of its compact shape, the robot vacuum cleaner can completely clean the area under your bed or other furniture.

It detects areas that need the most cleaning. With its specially designed robotic intelligence system, the robot vacuum cleaner can sense the dirtier areas.

It avoids stairs and cliffs. Again, its robotic intelligence system enables it to sense "dangerous areas" and prevents it from falling off.

It recharges automatically. After a cleaning mission or upon sensing that its battery is low, the smart cleaner automatically returns to its "home base" and recharges, making itself ready for its next duty.

Truly a popular robot helper, the robot vacuum cleaner has been making life easier --- and cleaner! --- for at least 570,000 households around the globe.

2) They provide work safety.

Specially designed robots are specifically created to do dangerous chores such as cleaning windows of high-rise buildings or disposing of toxic materials.

3) They can provide unique and educational entertainment.

In 2003 alone, the sales of entertainment and leisure robotic gadgets went up to 691,000. Such devices can provide the following benefits:

Computer-based toys and games (such as an "educational laptop") can give children a modern way of learning and having fun at the same time.

The above robotic Dog can dance, lie down and do Kung-Fu.

People can test their various skills by playing interactive computer games and competing with "robot opponents" that use artificial intelligence. Such games can really be challenging. In fact, "Deep Blue" (IBM's "chess computer") was able to beat chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov in 1996 and 1997.

Robotic devices offer a wide array of entertainment and leisure activities in the fields of music, video, graphics, animation, et al.

4) They give accurate results.

Since robotic devices perform the very specific duty that they were designed to do, they produce amazing results. They can compute large numbers, draw perfect shapes and figures, detect identifying marks --- all in mere seconds.

5) They can help save lives.

There is no question about how high-tech gadgets help in the field of medicine. But robotic devices are giving this fact a few more notches up. Here are some evidences:

A California-based company has invented a unique patch, which when applied to the skin, can monitor and record a person's blood pressure, heartbeat rate, and other such vital signs. The said gadget is also able to automatically send such useful information to the doctor's computer.

An Automatic Resuscitator can give treatment to a heart attack patient and save his life. The gadget can perform faster and leaves the medical professionals with more time, thereby increasing the survival chances of the patient.

Therapeutic robots have been helping sick patients recuperate faster.

Indeed, people may have different views about technology and modern gadgets. In the end, however, the choice is really ours. Should we look at and treat technology as a crutch that hinders our journey towards the future? Or should we see it as a tool that will help us take great leaps and get nearer to our destination?

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