Intelligent Machines and the Networked World
Electronic networks allow both people and machines to communicate.
An increasing number of machines are equipped with sophisticated artificial intelligence and can be programmed to handle many types of work, while computers may be utilized even within seemingly simple and everyday objects.
Physics and Technology – Technology – Intelligent Machines
Robots assist people by carrying out complex, monotonous, or dangerous work, but they still lack the judgment and versatility of human beings.
Robots are computer-controlled machines designed to complete specific tasks, such as industrial robots used for welding and assembly. However, their programming only allows them to complete particular tasks within a specific work environment. If there are any changes in the work procedures, they must be reprogrammed.
This is often done using a “teach-in” method: a human operator takes the robot through the steps of the process, which are then stored by the robot. Robots that are autonomously mobile are more independent-they are able to walk, drive, swim, fly, and react to sudden events.
They can currently handle work such as providing building security, serving meals, guiding visitors through an exhibit, or exploring distant planets.
A robot receives data about its environment and components through inbuilt sensors. For example, the distance to an obstacle can be determined by measuring the time taken for an ultrasound signal to bounce off the object and return, or detailed data about the environment may be provided by a camera.
A voltmeter is used to measure the remaining charge in a battery, and an internal protractor is able to register the position of a robot’s gripper arm. A robot can monitor its own location by using a GPS unit or with the help of special markers in its vicinity. Robots move using actuators, which may be legs, wheels, gripper arms, or tools—all driven by electric motors.
The more complex the robot’s equipment the greater skill it will have; however, programming it becomes increasingly difficult.
Programming a robot
A robot’s computer program is designed to use sensory data to evaluate the environment and its own physical elements, as well as to account for the possibility of faulty data. For example, a robot may calculate the distance it has traveled from the number of rotations of its wheels, but even a simple malfunction, such as a slipping wheel, will produce errors.
In this case, the robot could be designed to be able to recognize the problem and compensate using additional sensor data. Depending on the robot’s mission, its program determines which actuators should be used and how. The robot must be able to combine different actions appropriately; for instance, it may move toward a target while simultaneously avoiding obstacles.
To help with these complex actions, programmers use artificial intelligence technology
THEROBOCUP
This international competition presents a playful challenge, inspiring creativity among students and scientists and promoting innovative research.
The vision is to create a team of fully autonomous humanoid robots capable of defeating the human World Cup soccer champions by 2050.