Components

Robots are typically powered by batteries. However, there is increasing attention towards providing them with hybrid fuel cell battery combination. Let’s take a look at plusses and minuses of each and how a hybrid system can work. Batteries: Advantages: Disadvantages: Fuel Cells: Advantages: Disadvantages: Because of these characteristics, fuel cells fit better to heavier applications such as vehicles and backup power, while batteries are almost exclusively used in electronics and robots. As can be inferred from above, where each have their own strengths, making a hybrid system would indeed provide us with robots that can run longer time without sacrificing strength. Hybrid Systems: Robots are highly mobile systems which need […] Read More

What is Whole Body Control (WBC) in humanoid robots? Humanoid robots are among the most complex robotic systems, with lot of joints, which work not in isolation but must work in coordination. The rotation of each joint, along each axis, is one degree of freedom (DOF). Actually DOF can also be linear, not only rotational (such as when analyzing structures in civil engineering), but in humanoid robots, we mainly deal with rotational DOF. Whole Body Control (WBC) is a commonly used term which refers to coordinating body movements, which means all DOF in a balanced and stable way toward desired goals. This includes the following criteria which are coordinated simultaneously: […] Read More

Similar to why humans have senses, a humanoid robot has sensors to be able to obtain data from its environment. This data must be processed effectively which should run in coordination with the main control system of the robot. Let’s first take a look at typical sensor types that are used in a humanoid robot. Sensor Types in a Humanoid Robot Force sensors: Measuring force is essential during maintaining balance, gripping, walking, reacting to external forces and adjusting its own action. For safety around humans, it is also crucial to be able to measure the force after collisions or unexpected contact, and either stopping or changing movement of joints. Just […] Read More

Mechanical structure of a humanoid robot is what holds every physical component together, serving the same duty as a human skeleton. The structure must be designed to provide mobility, stability, strength, dexterity and balance while allowing humanlike movements for the robot to function similar to a human while doing physical tasks. The frame that serves as the skeleton can be made commonly from aluminum, carbon fiber, titanium, high strength plastic or composite materials. Joints connect different parts of the body, serving as limbs, to facilitate movement. They must be strong enough to allow the functioning of the robot at the required rate of movement. Obtaining the desired rotations of joints […] Read More

Control systems in a humanoid robot serve as the layer between the main AI system (that is responsible from the overalllearning, planning, reasoning and decision making of a robot) and the hardware that will enable robot’s actions. According to the “order” given by the AI, the control system then executes this order, while at the same time coordinating all systems within the robot. The highest control level is where the control system interacts with the AI. The middle control system controls overall posture and movement and the low level control systems controls joints (actuators) and sensors and processes sensor feedback. Let’s take a look at each. High Level Controls: High […] Read More

Actuation means movement generation. Achieving humanlike movement is not an easy task and requires many degrees of freedom actuation systems to be used while utilizing robotics principles and watching out for safety rules. Mainly the following types of actuators are used, although other types for very specific applications also exist: Electric motors and servos: Electric motors can run on AC or DC power and is the most common type of actuation in robots together with servos. Through electric motors a high degree of precision can be obtained and they are lighter in weight with respect to the types we list below. Pneumatic actuators: These utilize compressed air to operate. They […] Read More

A very important aspect of humanoid robot design and construction is power supply and management. No matter how advanced we make a machine, if it is not able to operate with sufficient power intensity and duration, it will be of little use. This power must not only be sufficient, but must also be distributed optimally, and also be used efficiently within each component at all times. Power supply and management in robots may be grouped under two main subtitles: Efficiency of batteries Power density and efficiency are primary factors that affect a robot’s overall operational capabilities and operational time, as well as the robot’s weight and size. A battery’s internal […] Read More

Introduction Humanoid robots, which were only a handful advanced systems until few years ago, are now being developed in large numbers and able to perform increasingly complex tasks. Many experts in AI and Robotics estimate that in the next decade or even by the end of this decade, we will start seeing humanoid robots helping us around the house, on the streets, factories, offices. These are complex systems where electronics, robotics and AI meet. To be useful, a humanoid robot must not only be able to perform predefined movements but also observe its environment and adapt its behavior accordingly. Let’s take a look at the main components… Sensors In our […] Read More