Robot Designing
Robotics is the intersection of science, technology, and engineering that creates machines called robots. A robot is a programmable machine that can assist humans or mimic human actions. Robots were initially built to handle monotonous tasks such as making cars on an assembly line but have since expanded beyond their initial uses to perform tasks like fighting fires, cleaning homes, and assisting with intricate surgeries. Robots have different levels of autonomy, from human-controlled bots that carry out tasks that a human has complete control over to fully autonomous bots that perform tasks without any external influences.
As technology advances, so does the scope of what is considered robotics. For example, in 2005, 90% of all robots could be found assembling cars in automotive factories. These robots are mainly just mechanical arms tasked with welding or screwing on certain parts of a car. Today, there is an evolved and expanded definition of robotics.
Robot Characteristics
While the world of robotics is growing, each robot has some consistent characteristics. For example, robots all have some mechanical construction or mechanisms. The mechanical aspect of a robot lets it complete tasks in the environment for which it’s designed.
Robots need electrical components that control and power the machinery. Essentially, an electric current, such as a battery, is required to power most robots.
Robots contain at least some level of computer programming. Without a set of code telling it what to do, a robot would be a piece of simple machinery. The coding robot gives it the ability to know when and how to carry out a task.
Mechanisms
Since robots have to be able to move,  designing the mechanisms that facilitate this movement, or the mechanical engineering aspect, is crucial. While mechanical engineering is more broadly machine design, roots designers specifically focus on motors and gears to allow the motion desired from their robots.
The mechanical aspect usually involves prototyping individual moving parts before putting the whole robot together. The level of complexity depends on the intended robot and how it moves.
Electronics
Another essential skill required for building robots is circuit design or the electronics of the robot. Understanding electronics and microcontrollers allows for the suitable motors, components, and power choices for the robot being designed. In addition, the functionality and physicality of the parts must be considered.
A rudimentary understanding of circuits allows engineers to build a simple robot using online support, documentation, and kits available from the robot maker community.
Programming
.Once the design has an electrically sound circuit and mechanisms that are ready to move, the microcontrollers used in the circuit can be programmed. The microcontroller acts as the robot’s brain, which needs instructions. The microcontroller chosen dictates the programming language used and how that program is uploaded to the microcontroller.
Fabrication
The fabrication is the final step in building. This step is when the components are put together into the body or enclosure made for the robot. With the rise of accessible digital fabrication tools such as laser cutters, CNC mills, and 3D printers, amateur robot designers can make refined enclosures that look professional without the expensive overhead costs of large manufacturing operations.
The robot enclosure design and chosen materials depend on the kind of robot being made and its purpose. While enclosures are practical for covering the mechanisms and protecting the precious electronics found inside, engineers can also use the robots’ bodies to give it personality, express the intended interaction, and offer feedback on using the robot.
Robot Design Considerations
Robot design considerations include anything that impacts the design of the robot, such as the environment traverses, the power needed for it to move, the senses it needs to perform desired tasks, the materials used to make the chassis, and the desired aesthetics.
Environment
If the robot is moving, the terrain it will navigate is an important consideration. It may need to withstand dust or water, or outdoor elements. The possibilities impact the choice of materials, the design of robot mechanisms, and the shape of the enclosure.
Power
The way the robot is powered can be affected by its purpose. For example, batteries offer more freedom of movement, but a power cord may be more efficient if the robot doesn’t need to move far. Every motor, sensor, processor, etc., needs some amount of power, so it must be determined how much energy each component draws and how long the robot must be operational to factor power requirements into the overall design. Too little electricity and the parts won’t work, while too much electricity might fry delicate components.
Materials
Material considerations include such questions as: how much will the robot weigh? Are there practical attachment points for sensors? How secure is the battery, and can it be easily accessed? The robot’s body can be as simple or complex as needed, but arguably the best robot designs allow flexibility, facilitating agile prototyping and building.
Senses
If a robot needs to avoid collisions, it must have a proximity sensor. Others may need other sensors such as photocells to follow the sun or motion sensors to turn it on when someone is nearby. Countless sensors can interface with a robot. All the information the robot needs to obtain from the physical environment and how this data is used to make the robot move as intended must be considered.
Style
Once all of the utilitarian requirements are covered, style can be considered. Many robot designers add a personal flair to their creations. Potential users or customers may prefer a more humanoid robot or a cuter robot. It all depends on the purpose of the robot.
