We must have come across the terms “robotics” and “artificial intelligence.”
But are you aware of the existing relationship between them?
Robotics and artificial intelligence are two separate fields under computer science.
Artificial intelligence is one of the many branches of computer science that gives computers and machines the ability to reason like human beings. It is currently present in our everyday lives, from machine translations, online shopping, smart homes, and chatbots.
With machine learning and deep learning, artificial intelligence can learn and act on the data it receives. Think of anything a human being can do and think of Artificial Intelligence doing it 2x better, wiser and faster.
Robotics is an independent field that deals with designing, building, and manufacturing robots. It is one of the fields of computer engineering that studies the building of effective and intelligent robots.
Robots simply assist humans in doing a task. Many companies and libraries around the world use robots for their day-to-day activities. Robots can be quite intelligent, but AI-powered robots are smarter and can act without human assistance.
There are even quite several films that show how artificially intelligent robots behave. It is no surprise that many would want their robots to have AI.
We will examine how robotics and artificial intelligence intertwine and the advantages of having them together to understand how they can work together.
Are robotics and artificial intelligence the same thing?
The human is programmed to function with all organs, especially the brain, which holds the thinking power. Robotics is like the human body, while artificial intelligence is the brain.
We have seen robotics in manufacturing, engineering sites, and films.
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In the past, robots were created to function normally without having to make any intelligent decisions. Robots are beginning to act more autonomously with technological advancements such as artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence and robotics are not completely unrelated.
Tech CEOs like Elon Musk have warned us about the future being affected by Ai-powered robots. It is scary and exciting to see robots act like humans will with the aid of artificial intelligence.
Artificial intelligence and robotics have become powerful forces when combined. AI-powered robotics solutions have solved numerous problems in the retail, manufacturing, and logistics sector.
Let’s learn what robots are and the components that make up a robot.
What are Robots?
A robot is programmed to perform specific functions and tasks like humans. , However, a robot does not have all the abilities a human being has. It is intelligent but needs to be more innovative.
“Robot” can refer to both physical and virtual bots. Robots that can handle complex tasks, increase efficiency and reduce errors without any human assistance is an AI-powered robot.
Nowadays, many companies are building their robots to be AI-powered. They want their robots to be smart.
Robots are used to replace labor, and with artificial intelligence in the mix, the immense value a robot can deliver is doubled.
Let’s learn the parts that make up a robot.
Components Of A Robot
Manipulator
A robot is given several joints and links. The manipulator is put together in such a way that it is capable of providing robot motions in different directions.
Like humans, robots have elbow extensions, bases, wrists, and shoulder swivels. The manipulator coordinates the robot’s motions.
Locomotive Device
This acts like the muscle for the end-effector and manipulator. Locomotion is simply the ability to power movement. The motors in the robots provide them with enough knowledge to move.
End-Effectors
Another component that most robots have are end-effectors. It performs similar functions to the fingers and palms of human beings.
The End-effector works hand-in-hand with the manipulator. Effectors can range from simple to complicated, enabling robots to complete their particular tasks precisely.
Sensors
The sensors of a robot perform various functions. A robot typically has the following:
- Light sensors
- Sound sensors
- Temperature sensors
- Proximity sensors
- Pressure sensors
- Vision sensors
- Positioning sensors.
For instance, positioning and vision sensors, like magnetic compasses and GPS, help robots navigate their indoor or outdoor environment. The brain of the robot needs to feed on the data of these sensors to be able to perform and complete tasks.
Controller
The robot’s control system is the brain of the robot. It guides the activities and overall output of the robot so it can complete tasks.
A robot capable of making motions needs a brain to coordinate it. The control system directs the robot system.
Power Supply
Robots will always need energy to be able to function and complete tasks. A robot has three types of energy:
- Electric: It makes use of current to power the robot.
- Hydraulic: It makes use of oil to power the robot.
Energy is vital to a robot. For instance, Mobile robots use high-capacity batteries, while stationary robots get power from the direct power supply in the factory.
Now that we understand what robots are and their components, we will dive deeper into robotics and artificial intelligence.
What is Robotics?
You can create, design, and build robots by studying robotics. It is one of the many arms of computer science that is fun and complex.
Robotics combines computer science, engineering, and tech. A robot is the product of robotics.
In 1941, Isaac Asimov, a famous science fiction writer, used the word “robotics.” It has now become a term broadly used in computer science for robots.
The use of artificial intelligence in robotics has grown its popularity over time. We will discuss how AI technology applies to robotics. It gets interesting from here.
AI technology used in Robotics
Robotics and AI have set a completely new era in these modern times. Artificial intelligence now provides computer vision to robots so they can be more efficient, work optimally and assist their environment.
Using Artificial Intelligence algorithms in a robot system will let it act autonomously without human interference. The robot will not require any external control or commands to operate. As one of the core programming in artificial intelligence, machine learning lets robots carry out tasks in real-time like human beings.
Have you ever considered how artificial intelligence is used in robotics?
Robotics can make use of computer vision and natural processing language.
- Computer Vision:
Robots can see with computer vision technology. They can easily differentiate a video from a picture and vice versa.
Computer vision technology is one of the many applications of Artificial intelligence in robotics. With computer vision, robots can scan documents and make them editable, recognize human faces in digital pictures, identify objects in videos or pictures with AI models and track or predict a person’s precise location.
- Natural Language Processing
As one of the components of artificial intelligence, natural processing language assists robots in understanding human speech. A human being can give voice instruction to a robot through speech, and the robot understands and performs the task in real time.
Let us look at some examples of the application of AI in robotics.
Application of AI in Robotics in various sectors (Examples)
Industrial Robots
Many jobs in factories require efficiency, speed, and precision. Industrial robots can help with that and are used to make work easier.
Rather than having human labor do things like packaging, painting, and assembling items, industrial robots can provide the labor for that. The robots can make decisions in real-time and complete tasks efficiently and effectively without hassle.
Robots are used in industrial companies to cut, weld, assemble, paint, pick, place, drill, polish, package, label, and handle items. Using robots can increase the productivity and profitability of any industrial company.
A mobile robot with artificial intelligence can ensure accuracy, flexibility, and cheap labor. In Colorado, Autostore offers companies robots that help with in-store inventory and deliver orders.
Popular companies using AI robots include Siemens, IBM, Intel Corporation, and Rockwell Automation.
Robots In Education
AI robots are set to have a significant impact on Education. We can see this in universities where robots are used as teaching assistants and librarians. Robots can assist students in finding books and giving them information about those books.
Mobile robots also can act like teachers. They perform tasks like grading homework and tests.
The first teacher robot, Yuki, was introduced in 2019 in Germany. The robot started delivering lectures at Philipps University in Marburg. With a combination of artificial intelligence and robotics, we will soon have robots as teachers.
Robots In Automobile
You must have come across the famous movie, “Transformers.” cars cannot turn into robots yet, but we have robots that build cars.
Automobile manufacturers use robots to design, structure, paint and build their products. We even see robotics being added as one of the car systems.
An example would be a driver assistant. Self-driving cars like Tesla are an attestation to that fact.
Robots provide accurate vision and quickly locate items. They can assemble devices like screws and pumps. Robots can also paint and coat cars and bikes.
The advancement of artificial intelligence and machine learning will be incredibly valuable to the automobile industry.
Robots In Healthcare
Medicine as we know it is now being transformed with the help of robots. Ártificial intelligence solutions are helping the healthcare industry. Robots can assist doctors in conducting operations on patients more accurately.
Service robots can take medical instruments where medical practitioners cannot go because of exposure to viruses. Robots also assist medical doctors and surgeons with surgeries. One example of these robots is the Mako arm-assisted surgery robot, which helps patients with hip and knee replacement.
These robots are programmed in such a way that they use data analytics and intelligent robotic arms to assist medical surgeons during surgery. AI robots are being trained on data from hospitals.
These robots also perform cleaning and sanitization tasks. They assist in surgeries like neurosurgery, orthopedic surgeries, and so on.
AI robots can be found in several advanced healthcare facilities. They carry out research, collect data and conduct genetic tests.
In the pharmaceutical industry, robots inspect pharmaceutical drugs and pick and pack. The market for this industry is predicted to reach USD 233.69 million by 2029.
Robots In Entertainment
Robots have gained popularity in films like Star Wars and A Space Odyssey. You must have seen at least one movie, animation, or documentary with a robot.
We are not here to talk about movies but how robots help shoot some movies you love.
A robot wielding a camera can record and capture takes without getting tired. Disney is well-known for using robots in its films.
In theme parks, robots are also used as entertainment. They attract a large crowd, make amusement rides more fun, and give stage performances.
AI-powered humanoid robots also provide entertainment in workspaces, conferences, special events, and trade fairs. They can engage human beings and interact in multiple languages.
It would also interest you to know that toy robots for children are currently being made. Children now have access to play with robots and have them as toys.
Robots In Space Exploration
Humans are not being partnered with robots in space crafts. We see the evolution of robots from just ordinary and intelligent to extraordinary and smart with artificial intelligence.
Robots are used to help reduce the stress levels of astronauts and travel to space.
They complete tasks and assist astronauts. For instance, the NASA AI robot helps astronauts perform maintenance checks on space crafts.
They work side by side with human beings. These AI robots have gripper hands, cameras, and sensors. These robots are powered by a battery and help with docking, spacecraft navigation, etc.
If you are interested in applying artificial intelligence to robotics, you can further study engineering jobs that fit your scope.
What are the advantages of integrating Artificial Intelligence into robotics?
Increases Productivity
Artificial intelligence is making groundbreaking waves in machine-enabled functionalities. AI robots are helping companies increase their level of productivity.
Everyone wants fast-paced deliveries. Since demand is primarily high, companies are using robots to complete specific tasks.
The pace at which robots complete tasks is genuinely remarkable. With the input of artificial intelligence, robots can complete tasks faster and wiser.
With artificial intelligence, robots also can multitask. These AI-powered robots will be able to operate 24/7 without any interruptions.
Reduces Human Error
Robots will be able to achieve company goals faster with minimal errors. Robots are trained to complete tasks efficiently, so it only makes sense that they can significantly reduce errors and increase work speed.
Every decision an AI-powered robot will take will always be informed by the data given to it. This is why errors are entirely erased. It can do what humans have been doing for many years in seconds and minutes.
Perform Repetitive Tasks
Artificial intelligence gives humans freedom from having to deal with repetitive tasks. AI-powered robots automate roles like sending emails, checking inventory or misplaced items, and sending payroll for processing.
Devoid of Emotions
AI robots are not capable of welding emotions. Robots have no biased opinions and, therefore, can make accurate decisions.
Quality and Accuracy
Artificial intelligence algorithms give AI-powered robots the power to complete tasks faster. The output of these tasks carries top-notch quality. AI robots provide accurate work and do not wear out quickly.
Final Thoughts
In the coming years, we will surely see a boom in the AI-powered robotics industry as many people will buy or rent robots in their homes or offices. It would be exciting to have one.
Artificial intelligence and robotics are yet to make strong waves together. However, it looks like technology’s bright and exciting future. We are going to be on the lookout for technological advancements.
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Anuoluwapo Adesina is a content writer with over 4 years experience. She is extremely passionate about technology and artificial intelligence. As a content writer adequately researched and quality articles and blog posts. When she’s not writing about AI, she’s busy exploring cookbooks.
