Introductory Concepts

Introduction to IntroductionIntroductionRobotics toto RoboticsRobotics

CSEN904, Winter Term 07-08

Lecture 1 – Saturday, November 3rd 2007

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 1/77 Introduction to Robotics OutlineOutline

• What is a Robot? • What is Robotics? • Science Fiction • Science Facts • Robots Today • Robot Statistics • Robots’ Future • Resources •Summary

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 2/77 Introduction to Robotics WhatWhat isis aa Robot?Robot?

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 3/77 Introduction to Robotics WhatWhat isis aa Robot?Robot? What is the difference between these two versions of Volkswagen Touareg ?

Stanley, Stanford Racing Team Original Volkswagen Touareg The winner of the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge

This is not a Robot This is a Robot Why?! L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 4/77 Introduction to Robotics WhatWhat isis aa Robot?Robot? DARPA Grand Challenge The DARPA Grand Challenge is a prize competition for driverless cars.

► First Grand Challenge: Date: March 13, 2004 Task: desert course stretching from Barstow, California to Primm, Nevada (142 mile) Winner: did not produce a finisher. only 7.4 mile

► Second Grand Challenge: Date: October 8, 2005 Winner: Stanford Racing Team completed the 132-mile course in just under 7 hours to win a US$2M prize .

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 5/77 Introduction to Robotics WhatWhat isis aa Robot?Robot? What is the difference between these two versions of Volkswagen Touareg ?

A robot is a machine that imitaes the actions and sometimes apperance of an intelligent creature, usually a human. This machine is able to

Environment Perception: Doing something physical: getting information from its such as move or manipulate objetcs, based on surroundings environmental information L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 6/77 Introduction to Robotics WhatWhat isis Robotics?Robotics?

► Robotics is the intelligent connection of

M. Brady, “Artificial Intelligence and Robotics,” perception to action. Artificial Intelligence, 26, pp.79-121, 1985.

► Robotics is the discipline which involves: a) The design, manufacture, control, and programming of robots; b) The use of robots to solve problems; c) The study of the control processes, sensors, and algorithms used in humans, animals, and machine; and d) The application of these control processes and algorithms to the design

of robots. MP. J. McKerrow. Introduction to Robotics. Addison-Wesley, 1992.

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 7/77 Introduction to Robotics WhatWhat isis Robotics?Robotics?

Robotics and Mechatronics Mechatronics is centered on mechanics, electronics and computing which, combined, make possible the generation of simpler, more economical, reliable and versatile systems like robotic systems.

Source: M echatronics Teaching & Research Laboratory, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 8/77 Introduction to Robotics ScienceScience FictionFiction Rossum´s Universal Robot (R.U.R) - Karel Capek Karel Capek (1890-1938) was a Czech novelist who introduced the word `robota' in a 1920 play titled Rossum’s Universal Robots (RUR). Robota in Czech (Robot in English) is a word for worker or servant. The word Robot displaced older words such as automaton or android in languages around the world.

Characters Harry Domain, General Manager for Rossum's Universal Robots Fabry, Chief Engineer for R.U.R. Dr. Gall, Head of the Physiological Dept. of R.U.R. Dr. Hellman, Psychologist- in-Chief Jacob Berman, Managing Director of R.U.R. Alquist, Clerk of the works of R.U.R. Helena Glory, Daughter of Professor Glory, Oxbridge University Emma, her maid Robots (Marius, Sula, Radius, Primus, Helena) L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 9/77 Introduction to Robotics ScienceScience FictionFiction Rossum´s Universal Robot (R.U.R) - Karel Capek

Domin: Practically speaking, what is the best kind of worker? Helena: The best? Probably the one who-- who-- who is honest-- and dedicated. Domin: No, it's the one that's the cheapest. The one with the fewest needs...

[Young Rossum] chucked out everything not directly related to work, and [in] doing that he virtually rejected the human being and created the Robot.

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 10/77 Introduction to Robotics ScienceScience FictionFiction Rossum´s Universal Robot (R.U.R) - Karel Capek

The play RUR featured robots that nearly took over the world.

They stopped only when they could not answer the question:

““WhatWhat dodo wewe dodo afterafter wewe havehave destroyeddestroyed allall ofof thethe humans?humans?””

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 11/77 Introduction to Robotics ScienceScience FictionFiction Laws of Robotics - Isaac Asimov Law 1: A robot may not injure a human being or through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. Law 2: A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. Law 3: A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws. Zeroth Law: A robot may not injure humanity, or, through inaction, allow humanity to come to harm. L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 12/77 Introduction to Robotics ScienceScience FictionFiction Laws of Robotics - Isaac Asimov Using robots to kill without violating the laws of robotics

► Telling a robot to build a bear trap on the woods (to protect humans!) and

► a second robot (independently) to take a man for a walk in the woods (to protect this man!)

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 13/77 Introduction to Robotics ScienceScience FictionFiction Laws of Humanics Law 1: A human may not injure another human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

Law 2: A human must give orders to robots that preserve robotic existence unless those orders cause harm or discomfort to another human being.

Law 3: A human being must not harm a robot or through inaction allow a robot to come to harm, unless such harm is needed to keep a human being from harm or to allow a vital order to be carried out.

Source: Robotics Introduction, The British Schools IT Department (ITGS). L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 14/77 Introduction to Robotics ScienceScience FictionFiction Science Fiction Classics & Movies

R2D2 & C3PO

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 15/77 Introduction to Robotics ScienceScience FactsFacts Mechanical Automata ► Ancient Greece & Egypt Water powered for ceremonies.

► Apis Bull God “Then he brought out (of the fire) before the (people) the image of a calf: It seemed to low: so they said: This is your god, and the god of Moses, but (Moses) has Apis Bull forgotten!”, Holy Qur’an, Surat Ta-ha verse 88. “And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” – Holy Bible, Exodus 32:3,4

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 16/77 Introduction to Robotics ScienceScience FactsFacts Mechanical Automata

► The Elephant Clock: Leaf from The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by Al-Jazari (1206 AD).

► 14th – 19th century Europe Clockwork driven for entertainment.

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 17/77 Introduction to Robotics ScienceScience FactsFacts Mechanical Automata

► Mechanical Dolls – Droz Family (1770)

► Maillardet (1805)

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 18/77 Introduction to Robotics ScienceScience FactsFacts History of Robots

► 1928: First motor driven automata

► 1961: First industrial robot (Unimate) George Devol Joseph F. Engelberger

► 1962: First robot company (Unimation)

► 1967: Shakey Autonomous mobile research robot

Shakey

► 1969: Stanford Arm Dexterous, electric motor driven robot arm.

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis Unimate 19/77 Introduction to Robotics ScienceScience FactsFacts History of Robots

► 1978: The PUMA (Programmable Universal Machine for Assembly) robot is developed by Unimation with a General Motors design support.

► 1980s: The robot industry enters a phase of rapid growth. Many institutions introduce programs and courses in robotics. Robotics courses are spread across mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science departments. SCARA (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm) invented by Makino in 1982.

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 20/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Industrial Robots or Manipulators

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 21/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotRobot ApplicationsApplications What Can Industrial Manipulators Do?

► Material handling

► Material transfer

► Machine loading and/or unloading

► Spot welding

► Continuous arc welding

► Spray coating

► Assembly

► Inspection

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 22/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Mobile Robots A mobile robot is a robot that can move in the real world and can be completely autonomous The main features: • Reprogrammability • The ability to navigate • Autonomy

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 23/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Mobile Robots: Indoor Robots

Koala Magellan Pro

Cybor

B21 Hemisson Khepera

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 24/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Mobile Robots: Outdoor Robots

PackBot Explorer

Sojourner

ROCA (UC3M) L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 25/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Climbing Robots

ROMA-I (UC3M)

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 26/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday

Humanoid Robots A humanoid robot is a robot with its overall appearance based on that of Head the human body. In general humanoid

robots have a torso with a head, two Torso

arms and two legs, although some Arm forms of humanoid robots may model Leg only part of the body, for example, from the waist up.

male ¾ Androids female ¾ Gynoids L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 27/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday

Humanoid Robots

RH (UC3M) ASIMO Wakamaru

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis QRIO 28/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday

Underwater or Submarine Robots

Scorpio 2000

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 29/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Space Exploration Robots

Sojourner

Mars Rover

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 30/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Exploration Robots

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 31/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Military Robots

“Future Combat System is a major program for an entire System of Systems to transform the U.S. Army to be strategically responsive and dominant at every point on the spectrum of operations, through real-time network- centric communications and systems for a family of manned vehicles and unmanned R-Gator: Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle platforms by the next decade”. L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 32/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)

AH-64AH-64 (25)(25) (43) UH-60UH-60 39,80539,805 HoursHours 28,46028,460 HoursHours

CH-47(26)CH-47(26) (4)(4) FixedFixed WingWing 7,483 Hours 31,68831,688 HoursHours 7,483 Hours

UAVUAV (7(7 Raven)Raven) (0)(0) OH-58*OH-58* 685685 HoursHours 3,4133,413 HoursHours

109,534 Total Hours: 01 Feb 03 – 15 OCT 05 Source: Brigadier General E.J. Sinclair, 2005 UAVS Symposium L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 33/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Surveillance and Reconnaissance Robots

PackBot Explorer

PackBot EOD

PackBot Scout

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 34/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Fire Fighting Robots

SACI 2.0 is a firefighting robot presented in July 2006 with the following features: -It has Fault Tolerant Architecture with redundancy in its moving system; -It has lighting system; -It is modular; -It has at least 100% more autonomy, with a full load capacity up to a minimum of six hours; - It can have infrared or common video cameras and be controlled by wireless remote control. L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 35/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday

Humanita rian Demining Demining Robots

Landmine Detection Demining

Hand-held Ha nd-probing Dogs Robots Flails Rollers Plows Meta l Detecto rs Techniques

Automated Probing Wheeled Robots Walking Robots Airborne Systems

Egypt, Angola, and Iran account for more than 85 per cent of the total number of mine-related casualties in the world each year. Egypt has 23 million mines mostly in border regions. L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 36/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Demining Robots

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 37/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Demining Robots Teleoperated Ordnance Disposal System (TODS) provides safe, effective and efficient delivery of tools necessary for the clearance of landmines. TODS was developed for and tested by the US DoD Humanitarian Demining Research and Development Program. The ETODS system was developed by the US Department of Defense to Egypt during the month of September 1999. This was an effort supported by OAO Robotics to demonstrate the mine clearance capabilities of the ETODS system to the Egyptian Ministry of Defense.

Source: http://www.manitgroup.com/oao.htm ETODS at Work near the Red Sea L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 38/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Search and Rescue

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 39/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Inspection Robots

Pipeline Inspection

Neptune: A Robotic Inspection System for Oil Storage Tanks

Pioneer L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 40/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday

Agriculture Robots

Demeter

Ag-robots Farm Robots National Robotics Engineering Consortium Illinois University http://www.rec.ri.cmu.edu/projects/demeter/demeter.shtml

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 41/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Cleaning and Mowing Robots

Roomba

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 42/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Cleaning and Mowing Robots Roomba - Making money with autonomous robots Since the Roomba retails for about $300 in 2003, it’s been able to sell 1.5 million of them in three years. Price now is about $180

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 43/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Cleaning and Mowing Robots Roomba - Making money with autonomous robots

A similar product called Scooba, which will clean and dry floors, is now available.

iRobot Scooba 5900 iRobot Scooba 5800 Floor Washing Robot Floor Washing Robot $399.99 $299.99

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 44/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Personal Assistant Robots

Nursebot

Nursebot ASIMO Maggie (UC3M)

Wakamaru RI-MAN

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 45/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Interactive Tour-Guide Robots Minerva is an autonomous robot that moves daily through crowds at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 46/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Entertainment Robots

QRIO AIBO

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 47/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Soccer Robots

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 48/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Hobby Robots

http://www.eurobot.org/ http://www.handson.org.tw/

http://www.usfirst.org/robotics/ http://www.worldskills.org/ http://www.depeca.uah.es/alcabot/hispabot/index.html L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 49/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Hobby Robots: Hispabot

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 50/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday Hobby Robots

The main challenge of this contest is to build an autonomous computer- controlled robot that can find its way through an arena that represents a model house, find a lit candle that represents a fire in the house, and extinguish the fire in the shortest time. This task simulates the real- world operation of an autonomous robot performing a fire protection function in a real house. The goal of the contest is to advance robot technology and knowledge while using robotics as an educational tool. L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 51/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotsRobots TodayToday

Hobby Robots

More information: The Festival of “Dahi-Handi” Robocon 2008: http://www.roboconindia.com Official website of the Robocon http://www.official-robocon.com/ ABU's official website http://www.abu.org.my/public/index.cfm Robocon Egypt: http://egyptradio.tv/robocon/ L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 52/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotRobot StatisticsStatistics

Installations and operational stock of multipurpose industrial robots in 2001 and 2002 and forecasts for 2003- 2006.

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 53/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotRobot StatisticsStatistics

Robot Density

Robot density is the number of robots per 10,000 persons employed in the manufacturing industry L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 54/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotRobot StatisticsStatistics

Price index of industrial robots for international comparison (based on 1990$ conversion rate), with and without quality adjustment. L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 55/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotRobot StatisticsStatistics

Price index of industrial robots in Germany, with and without quality adjustment. Index of labour compensation in the German business sector L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 56/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotRobot’’ss FutureFuture The Evolutionary Stages

Industrial Service Robots for Professional Use Robotics Service Service Robots for Personal Use Robotics Personal Evolution Robotics

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 57/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotRobot’’ss FutureFuture Service Robots

Service robots assist human beings, typically by performing a job that is dirty, dull, distant or dangerous. Service Robots

Service Robots for Service Robots for Professional Use Personal Use (Construction robots, demolition, (domestic, personal assistant, medical, space robots, underwater entertainment robots, vacuum expoloration, cleaning, demining, cleaners, etc.) inspection, fire fighting,…

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 58/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotRobot’’ss FutureFuture Service Robots Service robots for professional use. Stock at the end of 2002 and projected installations in 2003-2006

IFR, October 2002

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 59/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotRobot’’ss FutureFuture

Service Robots Trends in percentage of the elderly (over age 85) in the world

Source: ADRIANA TAPUS,MAJA J. MATARIC´, AND BRIAN SCASSELLATI, "Socially Assistive Robotics: The Grand Challenges in Helping Humans Through Social Interaction," IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine, MARCH 2007 L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 60/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotRobot’’ss FutureFuture Service Robots

Service robots for private use. Stock at end 2002 and projected installations 2003-2006

IFR, October 2002

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 61/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotRobot’’ss FutureFuture Nanorobots or Nanobots Nanorobotics is the technology of creating robots at or close to the scale of a nanometre (10-9 metres). The first useful applications of nanorobots will likely be in medical technology. Another application is the detection of toxic chemicals, and the measurement of their concentrations, in the environment.

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 62/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotRobot’’ss FutureFuture Biologically-inspired Robots

hexapod vehicle

Genghis II

OmniTread Robot Cybor

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 63/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotRobot’’ss FutureFuture Emotional Robots Albert HUBO – Hanson Robotics

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 64/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotRobot’’ss FutureFuture Emotional Robots

Hanson-Robotics

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 65/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotRobot’’ss FutureFuture Multirobot System

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 66/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotRobot’’ss FutureFuture Multirobot System

Team Size Communication Range Communication Technology

Alone Pair Limited Infinite None Near Infinite Broadcast Address Graph

6 Group Group o t

11 to 8

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 67/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotRobot’’ss FutureFuture Multirobot System

Communication Bandwidth Team Reconfigurability Team Composition

High ModerateLow zero Static coordinated Dynamic Homogenous Heterogeneous

L1, CSEN904:2007-2008 © German University in Cairo – Dr. Alaa Khamis 68/77 Introduction to Robotics RobotRobot’’ss FutureFuture Multirobot System: Example

Leaderless Distributed Flocking Algorithm (LD)

Flocking in Embedded Robotic Systems CORO - Caltech

► IFR (International Federation of Robots) http://www.ifr.org/

► RIA (Robotics Industries Association) http://www.roboticsonline.com/

► RAS (IEEE Robotics and Automation Society) http://www.ncsu.edu/IEEE-RAS/

http://www.ncsu.edu/IEEE-RAS/ • Aerial Robotics and Unmanned •Programming Environments in Robotics Aerial Vehicles & Automation • Computer & Robot Vision • Robot-Ethics • Bio Robotics • Prototyping for Robotics and Automation • Agricultural Robotics • Rehabilitation Robotics • Human-Robot Interaction & • Safety Security and Rescue Robotics Coordination • Manufacturing Robots • Humanoid Robotics • Semiconductor and Factory Automation • Intelligent Transportation Systems • Service Robotics • Micro/Nano Robots • Surgical Robotics • Networked Robots • Underwater Robotics

► Robotics Trends Robots and Robotics Technology News, Information

and Analysis: http://www.roboticstrends.com/index.php

► Arrick Robotics: http://www.robotics.com/

► Robots for Industrial Automation Website: http://www.robots.com/

► How to Build a Real Robot Series.

Dr. Alaa Khamis, Arab Electricity Magazine

A robot is a machine that imitaes the actions and somethimes the apperance of an intelligent creature, usually a human.

New research and increasing applications have been the impetus behind the evolution of industrial robots into service robots.

Personal robots derive from service robots as the latest step of this evolution by introducing the notion of personal use of the robot.