Journey of robotics

Journey of robotics from Da Vinci to the latest models

Did you know Leonardo da Vinci , artist of the famous Monalisa, also had a sketch of a robot in his notebook?

Let us take you through an impeccable journey of robotics from Da Vinci to the latest models. The Italian artist, who lived from 1452 to 1519, had a sketched out plan for building a robot. This robot, according to the analysis of its sketch, was able to perform the basic human movements. A few examples of the movements would be sitting up, moving its head and jaw and waving its arm. It was known as “Robotic Knight”.

But this was not the first instance of robotics in the history. Around 350 BC, the great Greek mathematician, Archytas of Tarentum built the first model airplane which was

nothing but a mechanical bird propelled by steam.

I know, many of you would be saying that airplane does not fall under robotics. So to clear it up, a robot is nothing but a mechanical device that is able to make “smart” decisions. This “smart” decision can be made either by a electronic circuit present in the machine, or a computer program that controls movements. In the above airplane’s case the movement was done with the help of steam. Now that is simply smart!

Since then, Robotics has grown leaps and bounds as an independent stream of studies. We are at the brink of developing even artificial emotive intelligence.  But did you know that most simple and everyday utility robots could be broadly classified on the basis of either application or their movement?

Journey of robotics

Journey of robotics

Let us first look at the Journey of robotics from Da Vinci to the latest models.

Industrial robots:

Used in manufacturing environment, have specifically well built arms used for welding, material handling, etc.

As you can see in the picture, this is a welding arm robot.

Journey of Robotics (Industrial Robots)

Journey of Robotics Industrial Robots

Domestic robots:

Doing household chores, these robots are mainly used for cleaning purposes or for surveillance purposes. Look at the vacuum cleaning robot of the first generation here.

Journey of robotics

Journey of robotics

Medical robots:

These are used in the hospitals and medicine industry. To state the advancement in robotics, some of these robots assist the doctors in surgery while many of them help for lifting different kinds of heavy material. Don’t believe me? Have a look at the below picture:

Military and Space robots:

Robotics has found its applications in critical fields like military also. In order to reduce human causality, robots are used for bomb disposals. Many of us hear about “drones” these days. Drones are nothing but robots that provide our soldiers with the aerial surveillance and data.

For collecting the data from Mars for research purposes, NASA had used a robot named as “Mars Rovers”.

Journey of robotics Military and Space robots

Journey of robotics Military and Space robots

 

Hobby and competition robots:

In order to generate interest in kids for robotics, many nations have started holding competitions of different levels. At early stages, these were just line following robots. Great way to learn, have fun and develop a healthy competitive spirit.

After looking at the classification of robots on the basis of the purpose they serve, let’s also look at some categories of robots based on their movement.

  1. Polar robot: It is used for many purposes, one of them being machine handling. It has a base that can rotate, and mounted on the base at certain height is the arm.
  2. Cylindrical robot: Designed for spot welding and assembling purpose. Arms are form a cylindrical co-ordinate system.
  3. Cartesian robot: It is built for pick and put work and helps in assembly of different heavy machinery parts. Its arms are designed to similar to Cartesian co-ordinate system and hence the name.
  4. Jointed arm: Two armed robot whose joints are free to rotate.
  5. SCARA robot: Its full form is Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm. As we can see in the picture, it is a four axis material handling robot.

A few of the top notch robots currently present in the world:

The current trend in robotics favors humanoid robots that is, robots that are able to perform and behave s closely as possible to humans. Now to make things a lot interesting, let us look at the top five humanoid robots present in the world:

  1. ASIMO:  It would be injustice to this terrific robot, ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility ), if we do not include him. It is three foot tall robot that can walk up and down the stairs, has the ability to run or walk on a plain surface and also pick up objects. It can also respond to voice commands and turn its head to the direction of any noise.
ASIMO

ASIMO

  1. PETMAN: Protection Ensemble Test MANnequin (PETMAN) walks in a very human like manner across the uneven terrains too.
PETMAN

PETMAN

  1. NAO: It is more precise and advanced than ASIMO. Used in teaching social skills to autistic children. I am sure you would find it absolutely adorable.
NAO

NAO

  1. Atlas: This can move in any kind of terrain. It does not have that much human like feature but its performance is quite good.
ATLAS

ATLAS

I don’t know about you, but after learning so much about this amazing piece of machinery, I wonder if I could build one of my own. Oh wait! I can and so can my kid. With “Bristle Bot Simple Robot” kit present on http://www.projectsforschool.com it becomes fairly easy to get

things going. And of course, I can brag my knowledge about robotics to my colleagues too. Well I am going to order one right away. You can too. Help yourself at Bristle Bot Simple Robot.

In conclusion, for more projects and ideas related to your child’s work you are free to visit our website http://www.projectsforschool.com

References:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-15/curiosity-rover-beams-mars-‘selfies’-back-to-earth/7514232

http://robotics.megagiant.com/history.html

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-advanced-humanoid-robots-you-have-to-see-to-believe/

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-15/curiosity-rover-beams-mars-‘selfies’-back-to-earth/7514232

https://www.robots.com/faq/show/what-are-the-main-types-of-robots

http://www.robotpark.com/All-Types-Of-Robots

 

 

5 interesting STEM careers

Think of a coder in his habitat. I’m sure you pictured a grimy teenager hunched over a laptop in a dark, dank cubicle. But that was the stereotype of yesteryear. Today, STEM careers have taken on a wildly different perception. Some of the coolest jobs ever require a background in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. STEM careers are far from the public perception of robotic employees and sterile, tiny cubicles in a corner. Let’s have a look at the 5 interesting STEM careers below:-

5 STEM careers you’ll sure covet!!

  1. NASA Rover Drive

Curiosity, the Mars rover touched down on the Red Planet in August and has beamed back photos, news of the weather and other data that’ll help us understand the planet better. (We have to. We might be living there soon!) While we’re all in the awe of this piece of machinery, we forget that there’s a human at the helm, navigating Curiosity over Martian terrain. It is one of the coolest jobs on (and beyond) earth. Becoming an astronomer is cool, but if you want to see some real action a rover driver is the best job for you.

5 interesting STEM careers

NASA Rover Drive

  1. Statistician – The Numbers People

Statisticians are not poor souls struggling with a fat book covered with numbers. Everyone who’s seen “Moneyball” knows that sports are games of data. Many sports teams have statisticians on board who analyze data, do the number crunching so that players can decide their moves in the game. ESPN has an entire analyst group.  If you’ve ever wondered how announcers come up with those totally obscure stats right after a game, the answer is that it’s someone’s job to research that data. It’s also someone’s job to figure out how to optimize the game by studying them.

5 interesting STEM careers

Statistician – The Numbers People

  1. Professional Hacker

Ethical hacking allows you to hack into top secret facilities a la James Bond without being thrown into prison. You are paid to wreck havoc on systems and present reports on their security vulnerabilities. Then they develop custom software to make the systems safe. The job takes a good deal of curiosity, persistence, creativity, a strong technical background and a competitive streak.

5 interesting STEM careers

Professional Hacker

  1. Amusement park designer

Who doesn’t love playing with Legos? Now imagine putting your “architectural expertise” to work, building roller coasters for the Legoland. Think up the most outrageous ideas and watch everyone’s jaws drop when they see your creation.

5 interesting STEM careers

Amusement park designer

  1. 3-D designer/animator

These are the people who bring Dory and Woody alive on our screens. 3-D designers use computer software to create 3-D visuals that are used in a variety of media such as video games, motion pictures and advertisements.

5 interesting STEM careers

3-D designer/animator

STEM careers have always had the “nerd” label attached to it. (Sigh…..!)

However, here we shout out to the world. We are creative, cool and AWESOME!! Okay, I think zyada ho gaya 😛 So if your kid shows interest in these fields, encourage him.

Oh and on a side note, if they do have a tendency to open up every next toy, equipment, tiny appliance that they can lay their hands upon, don’t stop them. Instead, buy them some cool DIY science kits so that they can have their fun while your costly things are still safe!

In conclusion, for more projects and ideas related to your child’s work you are free to visit our website http://www.projectsforschool.com

5 Annoying things every parent is guilty of

5 Annoying thing every parent is guilty of and  If you are a parent you are guilty of at least one of them.

Take a look.

 

I don’t hate babies I swear, but sometimes parents take it too far. It’s your baby I understand that you are completely in love with that li’l bundle of joy; but most of

the time you are over doing it. Trust me I know because mostly I am at the other end taking it all.

1. Talking about your kid all the time to me or to other friends, cousins, Kammwali bai and for that matter building ka watchman. “she can do all the

alphabets and … etc” yapping away even to the sabzi wala gets

too much.

Annoying things

Annoying things

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. #Facebook oversharing. Yes you do it. I understand baby love but sometimes posting every picture with all the moments and routines throughout the day is too much.

Annoying things

Annoying things

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. # There is selfie fever and then there is with kids selfie fever. Clicking pictures all the time with your kid while others waiting for you to talk.

Annoying things

Annoying things

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. # Showing all the dance moves and song your kid has learnt in the past 6 days even to strangers and every family member and friend. Even though your kid doesn’t want to participate in the parade. Forcing your kid to do it in front of friends and family is too much at times.

Annoying things

Annoying things

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. #let kids use Ipad, Phones Tablets at the highest of volumes in cinema halls and other public place, So that they don’t bother you. Its almost a sin to others ears.

Annoying things

Annoying things

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author has kept the identity anonymous, In case her cousins and friends read this she might be barred for life to any get together.
Published by http://www.projectsforschool.com/