Robotics Course Outline    @Circadea  ~Eric L. Jacobson   Contact 

   

Welcome, aspiring roboticists!

This course is your gateway into the fascinating and ever-evolving world of robotics. We're about to embark on a journey that will take us from the fundamental principles to the exciting applications of robots in our daily lives and beyond.

Full disclosure, if you are seeking to implement robotics in an advanced manner using conventional technology you may be looking at days to weeks to even months to assemble, debug, establish safety  and optimize performance. The fastest way to implement is via cobots which can be trained via a teaching pendant  or direct manipulation of the arms however you will be looking at substantially higher hardware and software costs.  By current observations approximately 3 times the price for the hardware.

Robotics is an interdisciplinary field, drawing from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence. It's about more than just building machines; it's about creating intelligent systems that can interact with the world around them, solve complex problems, and enhance human capabilities.

The most readily accessible robotics associated work is in maintenance and inspection.
Robotics maintenance tool kit.

Orientation Video
In this course, we will explore: 

• The History and Evolution of Robotics: From early automata to modern intelligent systems, we'll trace the fascinating development of robots.
• Fundamental Concepts: We'll delve into the core principles of robotics, including:
  • Kinematics: Understanding the motion and position of robot arms and mechanisms.
  • Dynamics: Analyzing the forces and torques that govern robot movement.
  • Sensors and Actuators: Learning how robots perceive their environment and interact with it.
  • Control Systems: Designing algorithms that enable robots to perform tasks autonomously.
  • Ethics:Navigating the Moral Landscape
• Programming and Software: We'll explore the languages and tools used to program robots, including concepts like:
  • Robot Operating System (ROS): a flexible framework for writing robot software. Moveit
    
  • Programming Languages: Python  (Python and ROS) and possibly others, as used in robotic applications.
• Artificial Intelligence in Robotics: We'll touch upon the role of AI in enabling robots to learn, adapt, and make intelligent decisions, including:
  • Machine Learning: Algorithms that allow robots to learn from data.
  • Computer Vision: Enabling robots to "see" and interpret images.
• Applications of Robotics: We'll examine the diverse applications of robots in various fields, including:
  • Manufacturing
  • 3D printing
  • Laser Engraving
    
  • Healthcare
  • Exploration
  • Cinematography
    
  • Service industries
  • Autonomous vehicles.
  Machines
• Parts
  
• Maintenance schedule and nature of service
  
• Beginning System Path
  

This course is designed to provide you with a solid foundation in robotics, equipping you with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue further studies or careers in this exciting field. Whether you're interested in designing robots for space exploration, developing autonomous vehicles, or creating robots that assist in healthcare, this course will be your starting point.

Get ready to think creatively, solve challenging problems, and bring your robotic visions to life! Let's begin!

Proper controllers take quite a bit of speed on the control bus in order to achieve maximum efficiency.
The processing loads increase as kinematics increase in  mass and the need for feedback from encoders
or visual interpretation comes into play.

Ar4 software on linux computer

Stepper controller
Power Supply
Stepper motor
Stepper driver
Teensy board
Enclosure
Camera slide
Gates Belt
Robot Arm

When considering the applications of arm-style robots in a specific local area like Whatcom County, it's important to factor in the region's prevalent industries and needs. Here's a breakdown of probable applications:

1. Manufacturing and Production:

• Local Industries:
  • Whatcom County has manufacturing related to marine industries, food processing, and some aerospace component work.
  • Robotic arms could automate tasks like:
    • Assembly line work (e.g., component placement, welding, and fastening).
    • Packaging and palletizing in food processing plants.
    • Precision tasks in aerospace component manufacturing.
• Benefits: Increased efficiency, consistent quality, and reduced labor costs.

2. Marine Industry Applications:

• Boat Building and Repair:
  • Robotic arms can perform tasks like sanding, painting, and welding on boat hulls and components.
  • This can improve consistency and reduce exposure to hazardous materials.
• Port Operations:
  • Robots could assist with cargo handling, loading, and unloading.

3. Agriculture and Food Processing:

• Local Importance:
  • Whatcom County has a strong agricultural sector, including berry farming and dairy production.
  • Robotic arms could be used for:
    • Automated harvesting of delicate crops.
    • Sorting and packaging produce.
    • Automated tasks within dairy processing facilities.
• Benefits: Addressing labor shortages and improving efficiency in agricultural processes.

4. Healthcare:

• Robotic-Assisted Surgery:
  • Hospitals like PeaceHealth in the region already utilize robotic surgical systems.
  • This technology can improve surgical precision and patient outcomes.
• Pharmaceutical Handling:
  • Robotic arms can automate the handling and dispensing of medications in pharmacies.
  • This can improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Laboratory Automation:
  • Robots can be used for the handling of medical samples.

5. Local Business and Logistics:

• Warehousing and Distribution:
  • Robotic arms can automate picking, packing, and sorting in warehouses.
  • This can improve order fulfillment speed and accuracy.
• Small Business Automation:
  • Even smaller local businesses could begin to use robotic arms for tasks such as the precise dispensing of products, or the automated handling of materials.

Key Considerations for Whatcom County:

• The adaptability of robotic systems to the specific needs of the region's industries will be crucial.
• Training and workforce development will be necessary to support the adoption of these technologies.
• The proximity to the Canadian boarder, may also increase the need for efficient logistics, that arm style robots could help to achieve.

I hope this information is helpful.

R

Raspberry Pi’s have a steeper learning curve and are more expensive than the Arduino (the chances of frying one or more are quite realistic). However, it is way more capable.

Since you’re in the early stages of a project I would say start off with an Arduino (or preferably a more powerful microcontroller like the ESP32 or a Teensy 4). Your laptop could possibly also do part of the controlling and send commands to the Arduino which then only has to get the motor to the right position.