Robotics for Education, DIY, and Robotics Enthusiasts
What are Robots?
A robot is a programmable machine capable of carrying out a series of complex tasks autonomously or semi-autonomously. They are designed to perform physical tasks, manipulate objects, interact with their environment, or simulate human-like actions using sensors, actuators, and software algorithms. Robots can be found in various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, education, and more. They range from simple mechanical devices to highly sophisticated artificial intelligence-powered machines capable of learning and adapting to their surroundings.
How Do Robots Work?
Robot operate based on three essential components:
- Sensors: These act like the robot’s eyes, ears, and touch, allowing them to perceive their environment. Sensors can detect motion, temperature, pressure, light, sound, and other environmental factors.
- Actuators: The motors and mechanisms that allow robots to move or interact with objects, whether through wheels, robotic arms, or legs.
- Control System: This is the brain of the robot, which processes sensor data and sends commands to the actuators. It can be pre-programmed or designed to learn and adapt through machine learning.
The History of Robots
Robots, in their modern form, emerged from science fiction but quickly became a reality thanks to technological advancements. Here is a brief overview of the history of robotics:
- Ancient History: The earliest concept of automated machines dates back to ancient civilizations. Greek engineer Hero of Alexandria created mechanical devices powered by steam, including a basic self-moving cart.
- 1940s-1950s: The first robots as we know them were conceptualized in the mid-20th century. In 1954, George Devol invented the first programmable robot, which later became the basis for industrial robots.
- 1960s: The first industrial robot, Unimate, was introduced in 1961 and used in General Motors’ assembly line. This was the beginning of robots being used for repetitive and dangerous tasks in manufacturing.
- 1980s: Robotics made its way into education and entertainment, with the development of robotic kits like LEGO Mindstorms, and the introduction of robots in healthcare, such as robotic surgical assistants.
- 2000s-Today: Modern robotics is powered by advancements in AI, machine learning, and big data, allowing robots to become more intelligent and autonomous. Drones, autonomous vehicles, humanoid robots, and personal assistant robots like Pepper and Sophia exemplify this new era.
Types of Robots
Robots are classified based on their functionality, structure, and use. Below are some of the major types of robots:
- Industrial Robots: Used in manufacturing and production lines, these robots are designed for specific repetitive tasks such as welding, painting, and assembly. They improve efficiency and reduce human exposure to hazardous environments.
- Service Robots: These robots assist humans in daily tasks, from household chores to personal care. Examples include robotic vacuum cleaners and robotic assistants in hospitals.
- Humanoid Robots: Robots designed to look and act like humans, often used in research, education, or entertainment. These robots mimic human gestures, speech, and facial expressions, and are used to study human-robot interaction.
- Autonomous Robots: These robots can make decisions on their own without human intervention. Autonomous vehicles, such as self-driving cars, fall into this category.
- Mobile Robots: These robots can move through environments, typically using wheels, treads, or legs. They are used in logistics, military, and search-and-rescue operations.
- Teleoperated Robots: These robots are controlled remotely by humans. Examples include drones and robotic arms used in hazardous environments such as underwater or space exploration.
- Swarm Robots: A group of small, simple robots that work together to complete tasks. They are inspired by biological systems such as ant colonies and are used for environmental monitoring and disaster recovery.
Key Uses of Robots
Robots are highly versatile and find applications in a wide range of fields:
- Manufacturing: Robots are used to assemble products, weld, paint, and perform other tasks on production lines. This increases efficiency, precision, and safety.
- Healthcare: Robotic surgery is becoming increasingly common, allowing for minimally invasive procedures. Robots are also used in rehabilitation, prosthetics, and patient care.
- Military: Robots are deployed in surveillance, bomb disposal, and battlefield support, where they reduce the risk to human soldiers.
- Space Exploration: Robots such as Mars rovers are sent to explore environments that are inhospitable for humans.
- Entertainment: Robots are used in theme parks, movies, and even as toys, offering interactive experiences for users.
- Education: Robots are becoming popular in classrooms, where they are used to teach STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) skills. They offer hands-on learning opportunities for students of all ages.
Robot Framework for DIY and Robotics Enthusiasts
For hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts, robotics has become accessible thanks to open-source platforms, affordable kits, and comprehensive programming environments. One such environment is the Robot Framework.
What is the Robot Framework?
Robot Framework is an open-source automation framework used for robotic process automation (RPA), software testing, and acceptance testing. It is keyword-driven, making it easier for both professionals and beginners to automate tasks and write test cases for their robots or software applications.
Features of the Robot Framework
- Extensibility: The framework supports various test libraries and third-party tools, allowing users to add custom functionalities.
- Ease of Use: Robot Framework uses a simple syntax and can be written in a human-readable format, making it accessible to both experts and novices.
- Cross-Platform: It works on various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, offering flexibility for users.
- Community Support: Being open-source, it has a large community of users who contribute to its development and offer support through forums and online resources.
Robotics for Education
In the education sector, robotics plays a crucial role in inspiring the next generation of innovators. Robotics offers students hands-on experience with technology, allowing them to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. Educational robots such as LEGO Mindstorms and VEX Robotics are popular tools that introduce students to programming, engineering, and artificial intelligence.
Benefits of Robotics in Education:
- Engages Students: Learning with robots is interactive and fun, which increases engagement and enthusiasm for STEM subjects.
- Teaches Real-World Skills: Students learn programming, engineering, and technology skills that are essential in today’s workforce.
- Encourages Creativity: Building and programming robots allows students to experiment, innovate, and solve problems creatively.
DIY Robotics for Enthusiasts
For robotics enthusiasts, the availability of DIY kits and online tutorials has made it possible to build robots at home. Platforms like Arduino and Raspberry Pi allow hobbyists to create custom robots for various applications, from home automation to personal entertainment.
Getting Started with DIY Robotics:
- Choose Your Platform: Depending on your interests, you can choose platforms like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or LEGO Mindstorms, which offer different levels of complexity and customization.
- Learn to Code: Programming languages like Python and C++ are widely used in robotics. Beginners can start with simple tasks like controlling motors or sensors.
- Experiment: DIY robotics is all about experimentation. Start with basic projects and gradually move on to more complex designs.
Interesting Facts about Robots
- The word “robot” was first used in the 1920 play R.U.R. by Czech writer Karel Čapek.
- The global robotics market is expected to exceed $70 billion by 2027, with growth driven by AI and machine learning.
- Some modern robots can mimic human expressions and emotions, making them more relatable in human-robot interactions.
- Japan is one of the leading countries in robotics development, known for humanoid robots like ASIMO and Pepper.
This little robot is helping sick children attend school
When children suffer from chronic illness and can’t attend school, the impact goes beyond the physical illness; being separated from classmates can also be emotionally challenging. For those facing long-term treatments or mental health struggles, Norwegian company No Isolation created the AV1 robot to help. This robot allows children to participate in class by acting as their eyes, ears, and voice, keeping them connected to their peers.
The AV1 robot is designed with a simplified human head and torso. It rotates 360 degrees and includes a camera, microphone, and speaker. Teachers place the robot on a desk, and the student controls it remotely via an app, using a unique password. “They can swipe their finger on the screen to look around the classroom,” said Florence Salisbury, No Isolation’s marketing director. Students can communicate with teachers and classmates through the robot’s speaker and raise their hand by triggering a light on the robot’s head. The robot can also display emojis in its eyes.
Salisbury noted there are currently 3,000 active AV1 units across 17 countries, with over 1,000 units operating in both the UK and Germany. In the UK, schools can rent the AV1 for approximately £150 ($200) per month or purchase it for £3,700 (around $4,960), with an additional yearly service fee of £780 (roughly $1,045).
The AV1’s key advantage is its ability to maintain social connections. Salisbury shared a story about a 15-year-old in Warwickshire, England, whose friends bring the AV1 robot to lunch, ensuring he remains part of their social group during his absence from school.
“During a long absence, this connection becomes a lifeline for students, especially those with medical conditions,” Salisbury said. According to government data, over 19% of students in England were persistently absent in autumn 2023, with 7.8% of absences due to illness—higher than pre-pandemic levels.
While remote learning became standard during the Covid-19 pandemic, many students have since returned to the classroom, and for some, remote learning is no longer an option. Though AV1 was launched before the pandemic, some schools have since used the robots to support students struggling to reintegrate into the classroom.
The UK’s Chartwell Cancer Trust provides 25 AV1 robots to children battling serious illnesses. Michael Douglas, the trust’s founding trustee, explained that the robots allow children to stay engaged in their education even while in intensive care. “Parents love them, and they make a real difference,” he said, adding that they also help children feel valued. However, Douglas acknowledged that administrative obstacles and technical challenges, like weak Wi-Fi or poor mobile signals, can hinder the use of AV1 in schools or hospitals.
Research published in Frontiers in Digital Health found that both AV1 and the OriHime avatar robot used in Japan hold significant potential for keeping children socially and educationally connected. However, it stressed the need for equitable access to such technologies and teacher training for successful implementation.
To support this, No Isolation launched AV1 Academy, offering training materials and resources to improve the robot’s usability. The AV1 also has strong privacy protections: no personal data is collected, screenshots or recordings are prevented, and its livestream is encrypted.
Other avatar robot, such as VGo and Buddy, can move around on wheels and display the user’s face on a screen. However, Salisbury believes AV1’s stationary design is more practical, and at just 1 kilogram, it’s easy for teachers or students to carry between classrooms. The absence of a screen showing the child’s face, she added, reduces pressure on students, particularly those with emotionally based school avoidance.
