A
Actuation: To put into mechanical action or motion.
Actuators: Actuators are like the “muscles” of a robot, the parts which convert stored energy into movement. The most popular actuators are electric motors that spin a wheel or gear, and linear actuators that control industrial robots in factories.
AI: Artificial intelligence, which attempts to emulate living beings.
Algorithm: In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm is an effective method expressed as a finite list of well-defined instructions for calculating a function. Algorithms are used for calculation, data processing, and automated reasoning. In simple words, an algorithm is a step-by-step procedure for calculations.
Android: Human-like robot.
Artificial neural networks: Artificial neural networks are composed of interconnecting artificial neurons (which are programmed to mimic the properties of biological neurons). Artificial neural networks are used by scientists to gain an understanding of biological neural networks or for solving artificial intelligence problems without having to create a model of a real biological system.
Autonomous: Operating without pre-programmed behaviors and without supervision from humans.
B
Battery: Converts chemical energy to electrical energy on demand.
Binary: A number system using 0 and 1s.
Biped: Having two feet.
C
C: Programming standard used for many micro-controllers.
Compiler: Program that coverts a computer program into byte code, or code that the computer can understand.
Conductor: Anything that allows the passage of electrons.
D
DARPA: DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) was established 1958 in response to the Soviet launch of Sputnik. DARPA reports directly to the U.S. Secretary of Defense; however, it operates independently of the rest of military research and development.
DC: Direct current. Non-fluctuating voltage.
Degrees of Freedom: The number of independent variables in the system. Each joint in a robot represents a degree of freedom.
Diode: Allows current to flow in one direction.
E
F
Freeform: Technique used in building circuits where all components are soldered to each other without the use of a board.
G
Gear: Wheel with teeth that’s used to drive other gears.
H
Haptics: Haptics, is a tactile feedback technology that takes advantage of a user’s sense of touch by applying forces, vibrations, and/or motions to the user. You can experience what haptics meas by putting up your hand and having someone push their hand against yours.
I
IC: Integrated circuit.
I/O: Input Out. Can either receive or send information.
Iteration: Trying different ways to progressively advance towards a solution.
J
K
Kinematics: The study of motion without regard to the forces that cause the motion.
L
M
Memory: Information in physical systems which are fast (i.e. RAM), as a distinction from physical systems which are slow to access (i.e. data storage).
Microcontroller: A small computer without a monitor or keyboard that is specially designed to control circuits, robot, etc.
N
O
OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer.
P
Pneumatics: Pneumatics is the use of pressurized gas to affect mechanical motion.
Proximity Detector: Sensors with produces a digital (on/off) based on an obstacle’s distance from it.
Pyroelectric: Detects infrared radiation, in the form of body heat.
Q
R
RAM: Random Access Memory.
ROM: Read Only Memory.
Relay: Switch which activates when power is applied over its terminals.
Resistor: Components which limits current flow.
S
Semiconductor: Device which neither fully conducts, nor fully resists.
Servo: Non 360 degree rotating gear motor, which is positioned using a pulse stream. Commonly used for RC applications.
Sonar: Device which measures distance based on reflected sound waves.
Solenoid: A coil of wire, usually cylindrical, in which a magnetic field is set up by passing a current through it.
Subsumption Architecture: Robot programming method developed by Rodney Brooks at MIT which emulates basic animal behavior by giving each behavior a priority, so that higher priority events always will execute first.
T
Torque: The tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque would be a twist.
Transistor: Switching, or amplifying device.
U
V
Voltage: Measurement of electrical force.
W
Watt: Measurement of power. Power is the rate you use energy. Power= voltage * current.
X
Y
Z
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