Embedded Robotics: Robotic Applications of Embedded Systems

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Published on July 28th, 2023

Table of Contents

Introduction

Almost every industry is now affected by robotics. They are an everyday occurrence, often with people being unaware of their effects. The use of robotics has expanded as technology has developed and robots have gotten smarter, affordable, and simple to make. In the present day, we create robots to do a wide range of activities. They are both big and small, from the revolution in medical care to driving. Robots need skills to function and make decisions that don't violate the norms. Embedded systems are used for this as well. The queries that now cross our minds are, "How does this embedded system work?," and "What does it look like?" It's not difficult to understand the answers because we are all familiar with computers. Know about the robotics embedded systems and how they carry out various activities.

Robotics And Embedded Systems

Robotics is guided by embedded systems. An average robot consists of three parts. The first is a type of mechanical design designed to interact with its environment in a way that serves its goal. The second component is a set of sensors to gather information from the environment. The third is an embedded system to send data from the sensors to the mechanical device. It ensures that the robot can interact with it well. The operation of almost every robot depends a lot on embedded systems.

Microprocessors and microcontrollers are programmable, multipurpose devices that take digital data as input. They process it by rules set in their memory. Aside from that, it outputs results. Conventional microprocessors are also used in more complicated systems. But modern embedded systems rely on microcontrollers for evaluation. The main distinction between a microprocessor and a microcontroller is that the former lacks memory. It lacks peripheral interface circuits, and other components, necessitating their external connection. In contrast, the microcontroller is a single chip that contains the CPU, memory (RAM, ROM), input/output ports, and timers. A microcontroller uses less energy and is smaller, cheaper, and less expensive than a microprocessor. An embedded course will help you learn more about its applications and uses.

What Is An Embedded System?

It is a computer that was created to address a certain issue. The term "Embedded" denotes the fact that this intelligent system is a crucial component of a large system. It is made up of hardware and mechanical components and it serves a specific purpose as part of that system. The design engineers optimize the embedded system to reduce the cost. They also reduce the size of the product because it is focused on certain duties. Also, improve performance and dependability. All the electronic devices we use today include embedded systems. examples like video games, cell phones, washing machines, microwaves, and so forth. But, there must be embedded systems programming inside any device that collects, manages, controls, computes, or displays data.

What Is Robotics?

Robotics is an engineering field that focuses on building and using machines. It can complete physical activities altogether or in part alone on behalf of people. These devices tend to handle repetitive jobs that might otherwise put human safety at risk or handle dangerous duties. Due to advanced programming and technological advancements, robots are now capable of roaming around their environments. They can recognize and interpret sensory inputs, and make quick decisions to complete tasks.With this degree of automation, productivity is increased and dangers related to hazardous or boring work are reduced.

Does Robotics Include Embedded Systems?

Robotics no doubt includes embedded systems. There are movement, sensing, and decision-making functions of many of the most advanced robots. Most functions in use today are reliant on embedded systems. Without embedded systems, creating autonomous robots is hard. These robots can carry out complicated tasks with accuracy and precision.

Why Embedded Systems In Robotics?

The world is now making use of robotic applications and technologies for professions requiring high precision. There may be hazardous working circumstances for humans. Three major parts make up a robotic application:

To interact with the environment, a mechanical device.
Sensors
An embedded system is needed to ease communication between mechanical and sensor components.

Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics, which are as follows, are crucial for humans to recognize. There is widespread usage of robotics applications and technological advances on a global scale.

As the product of human intelligence, robots must not inflict harm on people.
They need to be programmed to obey instructions and complete tasks.
Robots must be intelligent enough to defend themselves in emergency scenarios.

You may learn more about the effect of embedded systems via an embedded systems course.

Our Learners Also Read: Embedded Systems: Various Categories & Features

The Role of Embedded Systems in Robotics

Either microprocessors or microcontrollers are a part of embedded systems. These parts make it possible to train the robot for a particular task. Microcontrollers and microprocessors accept digital data as input, which they process by the preset algorithms. Based on these processes, they deliver an appropriate outcome. A microprocessor or microcontroller, the first of which is there in complicated systems, can control a robot. Since microprocessor chips lack memory and peripheral interface circuitry, they must connect outside. This is how the two vary from one another. The robot's capabilities are built on embedded systems. Engineers program Robots to follow instructions using inputs. These inputs depend on how the robot acquires information. Future applications that result from the development of embedded robotics will continue to rely a lot on embedded systems.

Real-Time Robotic Projects for Embedded Systems

Many real-time applications, including those in robotics, the automotive industry, and other fields, can use embedded systems. The projects below are in real-time and involve robotics technology.

1. A Voice-Activated Robot With Long-Distance Speech Recognition

The goal of this project is to use voice instructions to remotely operate a robotic vehicle. To carry out the intended action, there is a voice recognition module and an 8051 microcontroller. It employs a motor-driver IC, DC motors, and batteries. There is a voice recognition module, a push button, an RF module, an encoder, a decoder, and an encoder. You will also need a motor-driver and other auxiliary parts.

To move the car left, right, up, or down, press buttons or speak commands into a speech-recognition module attached to the microcontroller. Here, a 433 MHz-frequency RF transmitter transfers signals. An encoder encodes these signals to the microcontroller. As a result, the microphone controller transmits control signals to the receiver circuit via the transmitter module. It is in response to signals that originate from pressing buttons or voice commands that correlate to movement. You can try this project during your embedded testing course too.

2. Remote-Controlled Robotic Vehicle For Store Management With A Touchscreen

The goal of this project is to remotely operate a robotic vehicle using a touch-screen display unit. To do a task by responding to the signals, a pick-and-place robot is positioned at the receiver end. Also, there is a touch-screen panel placed at the transmitter end. An 8051 microprocessor, a touch-screen panel, and antennae (transmitter-receiver side) make up the project's hardware. You also need encoders, decoders, DC motors, a robotic body, batteries, etc.Besides, a touch screen module in this project delivers the microcontroller the control signals. These signals are necessary to propel the car. The encoder, the transmitter, and finally the reception circuit all receive the signals.

They get signals from the controller after it has been sent to the encoder and transmitter. The sending antenna transmits the signals and the antenna at the receiving end picks up the RF signals. It decodes the data and then transmits it to the microcontroller. The microcontroller in this setup connects to four motors. The first two motors move the arm and gripper, while the other two move the body. A motor driver integrated circuit (IC) is there. It drives all these motors and gets commands from the microcontroller.

Role Of Embedded Systems In Robotics

One cannot stress how important embedded systems are to robotics. These systems are the base of intelligent and autonomous machines. They allow them to carry out difficult tasks and function in many situations. Developing autonomous robots that can do tasks with extreme precision would be difficult, if not impossible, without embedded technology. The creation of autonomous cars is one of the most important roles played by embedded systems in robotics. For mobility, sensing, and decision-making, these vehicles rely on embedded systems. Autonomous vehicles have the potential to revolutionize transportation, making it more efficient, eco-friendly, and safe. In the upcoming years, embedded systems will play an ever more major role in industrial automation. There are many industrial control systems, including those found in manufacturing and power plants. They already make extensive use of embedded systems. These systems are very dependable and able to function in challenging conditions. It makes them suitable for industrial applications.

What Benefits Of Embedded Systems In Robotics?

Robotics can enjoy embedded systems in several ways. In the first place, embedded systems are optimized for the particular task that the robot is executing. It enables it to work with accuracy and precision. Also, embedded systems are more dependable than general-purpose operating systems. For instance, Windows or Linux can have crashes and other problems. One can create robotics-embedded systems to work in real time. It allows them to react to environmental changes or other inputs. This is crucial for robots that have to function in dynamic settings like factories or construction sites. Learn embedded systems to know more about such applications.

Conclusion

In the area of robotics, in particular, embedded systems are crucial to the creation of intelligent and autonomous machines. These systems enable the robot to function with accuracy and precision. They are created to be optimized for the particular task that the robot is executing. The embedded systems can work in real-time and are often more dependable than general-purpose operating systems. This makes them ideal for dynamic contexts.

Embedded systems in robotics and industrial automation have a bright future ahead of them. There are many intriguing advances to look forward to. We may expect many more creative applications of embedded systems. It will grow in various domains as technology advances, improving the efficiency and safety of our daily lives. Join embedded systems training from The IoT Academy and start exploring new fields!