Robotics Hardware Quiz

What is a robot? Check all that do not apply. It is a machine that

• observes
• judges
• acts
• eats
• sleeps

An airplane flying on autopilot

• has to be more than automatic, but able to handle changes like cross-winds, lightening of the airplane as it burns fuel, etc.
• is flying a fixed path automatically, as the name "autopilot" suggests.
• is doing a simple job.
• needs human intervention to correct errors.
• needs fewer effectors, so some control surfaces can be set to neutral trim.

Humans can also do complex jobs, but may fail to do so more than robots. This is because we humans

• are stronger than robots.
• are faster than robots.
• both of the above.
• can get distracted, and make mistakes.
• work better at variable speeds.

Computer programming gives robots the ability to

• do complex jobs on their own.
• handle trouble.
• get the same result consistently even when external conditions change.
• make intelligent use of sensor information.
• all of the above.

Robots need (check all that apply)

• friends.
• clothes.
• sensors.
• effectors.
• controllers.

End effectors

• do the actual job a robot was designed to do, like make accurate welds or pick up boxes.
• help other effectors get in position to do the robot's actual job.
• move the whole robot into position to do its designed job.
• make decisions based on sensor input and what the robot is designed to do.
• report information about other effectors.

Controllers

• do the actual job a robot was designed to do, like make accurate welds.
• help the robot get information about the situation it is in.
• reduce robot power requirements.
• make decisions based on sensor input and what the robot is designed to do.
• detect controllers.

A controller

• has motors, wheels and a chassis.
• is an end effector.
• is commanded by a sensor: go straight, turn around, etc.
• makes a decision based on what the robot senses and what it is supposed to do.
• all the above.

Robots observe the situation with

• sensors.
• effectors.
• controllers.
• all of the above.
• none of the above.

Autonomous means a robot

• acts automatically, according to a fixed list of steps.
• can act on its own, and recover from errors on its own.
• uses automatic power regulation.
• uses automatic power and speed regulation.
• can operate without sensors