University of Wisconsin La Crosse electronics engineering

Robotics Engineering

Robots are well-suited to perform tasks that are dangerous and often repetitive, as well as to function in extreme environments such as space, under the oceans, or at high altitudes. NASA tests robots for exploration in areas called analogs. Analogs are places where the environment is similar to locations like Mars or the moon, where a robot may be used. Another field in which robots are finding a niche is in medical applications. Although still in its infancy, robotic surgery has already proven itself to be of great value, particularly in areas inaccessible to conventional laparoscopic procedures. Robotic technology is set to revolutionize surgery by improving and expanding laparoscopic procedures, minimizing invasiveness, and allowing remote operation.

Robots all have some kind of mechanical construction, a frame, form or shape designed to achieve a particular task. For example, a robot designed to travel across heavy dirt or mud, might use caterpillar tracks. There must also be electrical components which power and control the machinery. For example, the robot with caterpillar tracks would need some kind of power to move the tracker treads. The electrical aspect of robots is used for movement via motors, with built-in sensors delivering electrical signals in order to measure things like sound, position, and even basic vision. The control of a robot involves three distinct tasks, perception, processing, and motion (actuation). Sensors give information about the environment or the robot itself. This information is then processed or transmitted, and used to calculate the appropriate signals to the actuators (motors, ie muscles) which move the mechanical robot. Therefore, robots must be programmed much like any other computing device.