The rise of programmable robots and future prospects
From industrial healthcare to education, programmable robots are becoming increasingly common. Complex tasks that were once performed only by humans are now slowly being replaced by these robots.
They can be programmed to perform repetitive tasks, and can be superimposed with attributes to meet operations in special environments, such as dangerous environments, high-altitude working environments, and assistance in medical care.
In this blog, we will discuss the various types of programmable robots and their capabilities, the programming languages used to control them, and the roles they play in different fields.
Additionally, we will discuss the pros and cons of using programmable robots. Whether you are a robotics enthusiast, a programmer, or just curious about this technology, I hope this article has given you some ideas.

List of content

1. Introduction to programmable robots
2. What types of programmable robots are there?
3. How to program programmable robots
4. Advantages and Disadvantages of Programmable Robots
5 Conclusion

1. Introduction to programmable robots

A programmable robot is a robot that can be controlled through programming and artificial intelligence technology. These robots have controllers, actuators, and sensors that allow them to interact with their environment and execute programmed instructions. They can perform various tasks according to preset programs or artificial intelligence algorithms, including handling, assembly, inspection, packaging, etc. Programmable robots are widely used in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, service and other fields, so their importance is self-evident, and with the continuous development of technology, the scope of fields involved has gradually expanded. The following is a brief discussion of some important roles of programmable robots in various industries.
1.) Manufacturing industry: The most common processes in the manufacturing industry are automobile assembly, parts welding, painting and other processes, which have never greatly reduced costs and improved productivity.
2.) Medical treatment: It can effectively help doctors perform a series of diagnosis and auxiliary treatments, thereby effectively alleviating the problem of tight medical resources.
3.)Agriculture: The most common ones are spraying, planting, harvesting, and irrigation. Thereby reducing labor costs and effectively increasing crop yields.
4.)Space exploration: Can perform various complex tasks in harsh and dangerous environments, such as collecting samples and repairing equipment.
5.)Education: The current development of science and technology requires the continuous supply of high-tech talents to provide reserve strength for future STEM.

2.What types of programmable robots are there?

There are many types of programmable robots, common ones include industrial robots, service robots, medical robots and educational robots. Industrial robots are usually used in the manufacturing industry to perform repetitive tasks on production lines; service robots are used in service industries, such as cleaning, greetings, tour guides, etc.; medical robots are used to assist doctors in surgical operations. Educational robots are mainly used as educational demonstrations to teach students programming, robotics and automation knowledge.
Next, we select several of the more popular educational robots on the market to focus on:
The first is the educational robots suitable for K12 primary and secondary school students: LEGO Mindstorms (robots built and programmed using Lego bricks and Scratch programming language), Sphero (a robot ball controlled by a mobile phone or PC and programmed through the Sphero Edu programming language) Programming), Dash and DOT (a programming language based on Blockly, equipped with various sensors, including distance sensors and microphones, focusing on games), Ozobot (a programming language based on Ozoblockly, which can be controlled through a mobile phone or PC, with some Sensors, such as line-following sensors, prefer electronic pets) Vex Robotic (a robot built and programmed using the programming language of VEX Coding Studio, equipped with various sensors, such as ultrasonic and gyroscopes, and can also assemble various metal parts by itself) .
Most of the above educational robots use their own programming language and are not integrated with some of the more popular platforms at the moment, so there will always be some limitations in programming.
XiaoR GEEK robot: Covers the most popular development platforms today: Microbit, Arduino, Raspberry pi, Jetson Nano, STM32, FPGA, etc., from entry-level to advanced, meeting all the needs of K12 primary and secondary school students to colleges and universities. The product range is diverse and rich, including bionic models, car models, tank models, etc., which can be used for classroom teaching, popular science, or competitions. The programming language also includes Scratch3.0, Python, C/C++, ROS, etc., and supports mobile APP. Computer, PS2 controller control, equipped with various sensors, such as ultrasonic sensor, infrared sensor, nine-axis gyroscope, radar, camera, voice module, IMU, etc., and also reserves many holes for expansion.

3.How to program programmable robots


Programming languages are crucial for controlling programmable robots. Programmers write corresponding programs based on specific application scenarios and functional requirements so that the robot can autonomously complete various tasks.
The basic programming languages used by robots are C/C++, Python, Java and Robot Operating System (ROS). ​
C/C++ is a popular programming language for embedded systems and is useful for low-level programming of robots. ​
Python is an easy-to-learn high-level programming language that is widely used in the field of robotics due to its simplicity and readability. ​
Java is also used in the field of robotics due to its platform independence and scalability. ​
ROS is a robotics middleware that provides a set of libraries and tools for building complex robotics applications. ​
The choice of programming language depends on the specific requirements of the robot and the tasks it is designed to perform.

4.Advantages of programmable robots include:


Improve production efficiency: Programmable robots can work continuously for 24 hours, greatly improving production efficiency.

Reduce labor costs: Programmable robots can replace manual labor to complete repetitive tasks, reducing labor costs.

Improve work quality: Programmable robots can accurately complete various tasks, improving work quality.

Enhanced safety: Programmable robots can replace humans in dangerous environments, improving safety.

Disadvantages of programmable robots include:

High initial cost: The cost of purchasing and maintaining programmable robots is high.

High technical difficulty: the robot needs to be programmed and controlled, requiring a high technical level.

Lack of flexibility: The programs of programmable robots are usually fixed and difficult to adapt to different task requirements.

Programmable robots have broad application prospects in many fields, and can improve production efficiency, reduce costs, improve work quality, enhance safety, etc. However, there are also some disadvantages, such as high initial cost, technical difficulty, and lack of flexibility. In the future, with the continuous development of technology, the application prospects of programmable robots will be broader.

ArduinoCoding robotEducationalJetson nanoProgrammable robotProgrammingProgramming educationalRaspberry piRobot carRobot trainingRoboticsRosSmart carSmart robot carStem educational

Leave a comment

All comments are moderated before being published