TSPSC Group – I Mains,2024 Material useful for Paper - I : General Essay & Paper V :ROBOTICS Science and Technology

 

TSPSC Group – I Mains,2024

Material useful for Paper - I : General Essay

&

Paper V : Science and Technology

 

ROBOTICS

 

For  Examination guidance purpose only

For any clarification please refer to the prescribed text books

 

Time : 3 Hours                                                                                      Marks : 150 

 

Note : Answer all questions. Answer ONE question from each section.

Answer to each question should be limited to around 1000 words. All questions carry equal marks .

For GENERAL ESSAY PAPER :

Syllabus :

Section-I 1. Contemporary Social Issues and Social Problems. 2. Issues of Economic Growth and Justice.

Section-II 1. Dynamics of Indian Politics. 2. Historical and Cultural Heritage of India.

Section-III 1. Developments in Science and Technology. 2. Education and Human Resource Development

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 Paper V : Science and Technology :

Syllabus:

I. The role and impact of Science and Technology.

1. Classical and Emerging areas of Science & Technology : Value addition by Science & Technology, Current Science & Technology developments in India and importance of Science & Technology as an engine for National Development ; Industrial development & Urbanization.

2. National Policy of Science & Technology: changes in Policy from time to time: Technology missions ICT: Basics in Computers, Robotics, Nano technology and Communication.

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GENERAL ESSAY:

ROBOTICS

 

The credit for the origin of the term ‘Robot’ goes to Czechoslovakia where this word was first introduced by Karel Capek (1890 – 1938) , a famous Czech playwright in his play R.U.R .(Rossum’s Universal Robots). This word has been derived from the Czech word Robota which means a labourer. In the play, robots had been displayed artificially made yet composed of flesh and bones like a man. The character Rossum is an English man who prepared an army of artificial men to manage the toilsome tasks. Although the play was composed in 1920, it was staged in 1921 and translate into English in 1923.

 

          When ‘Rossum’s Universal Robots’ was being translated into English, there was feeling of uneasiness in translating the word robot as ‘slave’. And so the word robot was taken as such in English also. This conveniently differentiated actual human slaves from artificial slaves. Not only English but other languages of the world also gave acceptance to the word robot.

 

         
Robots in common perception are metallic machines. But the robots conceptualized by Karel Capek could be called the androids of today as they were made of flesh and bones. Even today a robot is generally known to be mechanical human constructed of metal while an android is made of tissues and fibres like humans.

 

In the play, the protagonist called Rossum manufactured robots that looked exactly like humans but were devoid of any conscience, in large numbers. They did nothing else

except working constantly, like a working machine. Although eventually all the robots together took control of the  human beings resulting in the annihilation of the human species. In the play, although robots could not reproduce, yet a female and a male robot got involved in reproduction due to some manufacturing defects.

 

Robotics Laws :

Issac Asimov was the first to conceptualize the laws of robotics which he further refined after a detailed discussion with  John W.Campbell Jr., editor of the famous American   science fiction magazine, Astounding Science Fiction. Asimov’s three laws that were built into every robot’s positronic brain are :

1.A robot may not injure a human being or , through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

 

2.A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First law.

 

3.A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second laws.

 

Asimoc later added a new Zeroth law in which he replaced the word human with humanity to make the laws more comprehensive.

 

 

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Sophia – World’s First Robot Citizen:

In 2015, there took place an astounding incident in the world of robots when a  gyroid ( a female android) named Sophia built by a Hong Kong based company Hanson Robotics, was granted citizenship by Saudi Arabia.

Sophia made her first public appearance in March 2016 in Austin, Texas, USA. She had

Personnel and even answered their queries at public shows in overcrowded auditoriums. In October, 2017 Sophia was granted citizenship by Saudi Arabia.

Sophia is capable of mimicking body language and facial expressions of human beings. She can talk easily on topics like Weather. Sophia’s innovator and creator David Hanson state that this robot with artificial intelligence would utilize her citizenship to protect women’s fundamental rights.  

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Journey from a Robot to a Chatbot :

Humanoid robots have today evolved into chatbots as well. We often get information through various media e.g. digital service  providers and google assistants through these chatbots. They chat with us spontaneously as human beings.

 

A chatbot is a software application that engages in an online chat. It can communicate through text-to-text or text-to-speech. The word chatbot was coined by Michael Mauldin in 1994. Their utilization has expanded in a lot of consumer services today such as vocational (e-commence), education, entertainment, health and even for presentation of news.

Many companies today have chatbots as messengers. They are skilled in sending and replying to SMS as well as dealing with conversations related to sales and marketing. Social media platform Facebook also started using it from 2016.

Certain airlines communicate with their passengers through Facebook messenger platform. The Maharashtra state government in India uses a platform named Aaple Sarkar in various services. 

 

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Vyommitra: -

Vyommitra” is a name derived from two Sanskrit words namely, “Vyoma” (meaning Space) and “Mitra” (meaning Friend). This Female Robot Astronaut is equipped with the capability to monitor Module Parameters, issue Alerts and execute Life Support operations. It can perform tasks such as operating six panels and responding to the queries.

 "Vyommitra" Astronaut is designed in such a manner so as to simulate human functions in the Space environment and interact with the Life Support System. 

Pertinent to mention that as a run up to the launch of India's first-ever manned Space flight named “Gaganyaan", the first Test Vehicle Flight TV D1 was accomplished on 21st October,2023. This was meant to qualify the crew escape system and parachute system. The human rating of the launch vehicle is complete. All the propulsion stages are qualified. All the preparations are in place. 

While the uncrewed unmanned Robot Flight “Vyommitra” will take place 2024, “Gaganyaan” will  be launched 2025. 

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Robotics:

Robotics is the intersection of science, engineering and technology that produces machines, called robots, that replicate or substitute for human actions. Robots perform basic and repetitive tasks with greater efficiency and accuracy than humans, making them ideal for industries like manufacturing. However, the introduction of artificial intelligence in robotics has given robots the ability to handle increasingly complex situations in various industries

 

What is a Robot ?

A robot is a programmable machine that can complete a task, while the term robotics describes the field of study focused on developing robots and automation. Each robot has a different level of autonomy. These levels range from human-controlled bots that carry out tasks to fully-autonomous bots that perform tasks without any external influences.

In terms of etymology, the word ‘robot’ is derived from the Czech word robota, which means “forced labor.” The word first appeared in the 1920 play R.U.R., in reference to the play’s characters who were mass-produced workers incapable of creative thinking.

 

 

Main Components of a Robot :

 

1)Control System:

Computation includes all of the components that make up a robot’s central processing unit, often referred to as its control system. Control systems are programmed to tell a robot how to utilize its specific components, similar in some ways to how the human brain sends signals throughout the body, in order to complete a specific task. These robotic tasks could comprise anything from minimally invasive surgery to assembly line packing

 

2)Sensors :

Sensors provide a robot with stimuli in the form of electrical signals that are processed by the controller and allow the robot to interact with the outside world. Common sensors found within robots include video cameras that function as eyes, photoresistors that react to light and microphones that operate like ears. These sensors allow the robot to capture its surroundings and process the most logical conclusion based on the current moment and allows the controller to relay commands to the additional components

 

3)Actuators :

A device can only be considered to be a robot if it has a movable frame or body. Actuators are the components that are responsible for this movement. These components are made up of motors that receive signals from the control system and move in tandem to carry out the movement necessary to complete the assigned task. Actuators can be made of a variety of materials

such as metal or elastic, and are commonly operated by use of compressed air (pneumatic actuators) or oil (hydraulic actuators) but come in a variety of formats to best fulfill their specialized roles.

 

4)Power Supply :

Like the human body requires food in order to function, robots require power. Stationary robots, such as those found in a factory, may run on AC power through a wall outlet but more commonly, robots operate via an internal battery. Most robots utilize lead-acid batteries for their safe qualities and long shelf life while others may utilize the more compact but also more expensive silver-cadmium variety. Safety, weight, replaceability and lifecycle are all important factors to consider when designing a robot’s power supply. 

Some potential power sources for future robotic development also include pneumatic power from compressed gasses, solar power, hydraulic power, flywheel energy storage organic garbage through anaerobic digestion and nuclear power.

5)End Effectors:

End effectors are the physical, typically external components that allow robots to finish carrying out their tasks. Robots in factories often have interchangeable tools like paint sprayers and drills, surgical robots may be equipped with scalpels and other kinds of robots can be built with gripping claws or even hands for tasks like deliveries, packing, bomb diffusion and much more.

 

Types of Robotics :

1)Humanoid Robots :

Humanoid robots are robots that look like or mimic human behavior. These robots usually perform human-like activities (like running, jumping and carrying objects), and are sometimes designed to look like us, even having human faces and expressions. Two of the most prominent examples of humanoid robots are Hanson Robotics’ Sophia and Boston Dynamics’ Atlas

2)Cobots:

Cobots, or collaborative robots, are robots designed to work alongside humans. These robots prioritize safety by using sensors to remain aware of their surroundings, executing slow movements and ceasing actions when their movements are obstructed. Cobots typically perform simple tasks, freeing up humans to address more complex work

 

3)Industrial Robots :

Industrial robots automate processes in manufacturing environments like factories and warehouses. Possessing at least one robotic arm, these robots are made to handle heavy objects while moving with speed and precision. As a result, industrial robots often work in assembly lines to boost productivity.

4)Medical Robots :

Medical robots assist healthcare professionals in various scenarios and support the physical and mental health of humans. These robots rely on AI

and sensors to navigate healthcare facilities, interact with humans and execute precise movements. Some medical robots can even converse with humans, encouraging people’s social and emotional growth.

5)Agricultural Robots :

Agricultural robots handle repetitive and labor-intensive tasks, allowing farmers to use their time and energy more efficiently. These robots also operate in greenhouses, where they monitor crops and help with harvests. Agricultural robots come in many forms, ranging from autonomous tractors to drones that collect data for farmers to analyze

6)Microrobotics:

Microrobotics is the study and development of robots on a miniature scale. Often no bigger than a millimeter, microrobots can vary in size, depending on the situation. Biotech researchers typically use microrobotics to monitor and treat diseases, with the goal of improving diagnostic tools and creating more targeted solutions.

7) Augmented Robots :

Augmenting robots, also known as VR robots, either enhance current human capabilities or replace the capabilities a human may have lost. The field of robotics for human augmentation is a field where science fiction could become reality very soon, with bots that have the ability to redefine the definition of humanity by making humans faster and stronger. Some examples of current augmenting robots are robotic prosthetic limbs or exoskeletons used to lift hefty weights

8) Software Bots :

Software bots, or simply ‘bots,’ are computer programs which carry out tasks autonomously. They are not technically considered robots. One common use case of software robots is a chatbot, which is a computer program that simulates conversation both online and over the phone and is often used in customer service scenarios. Chatbots can either be simple services that answer questions with an automated response or more complex digital assistants that learn from user information

 

Pros of Robotics :

1)Increased accuracy. Robots can perform movements and actions with greater precision and accuracy than humans.

2)Enhanced productivity. Robots can work at a faster pace than humans and don’t get tired, leading to more consistent and higher-volume production. 

3)Improved safety. Robots can take on tasks and operate in environments unsafe for humans, protecting workers from injuries. 

4)Rapid innovation. Many robots are equipped with sensors and cameras that collect data, so teams can quickly refine processes. 

5)Greater cost-efficiency. Gains in productivity may make robots a more cost-efficient option for businesses compared to hiring more human workers

 

Cons of Robotics :

1)Job losses. Robotic process automation may put human employees out of work, especially those who don’t have the skills to adapt to a changing workplace.  

2)Limited creativity. Robots may not react well to unexpected situations since they don’t have the same problem-solving skills as humans. 

3)Data security risks. Robots can be hit with cyber attacks, potentially exposing large amounts of data if they’re connected to the Internet of Things.  

4)Maintenance costs. Robots can be expensive to repair and maintain, and faulty equipment can lead to disruptions in production and revenue losses.  

5)Environmental waste. Extracting raw materials to build robots and having to discard disposable parts can lead to more environmental waste and pollution.

Robotics Applications:

Beginning as a major boon for manufacturers, robotics has become a mainstay technology for a growing number of industries.

1)Manufacturing :

Industrial robots can assembly products, sort items, perform welds and paint objects. They may even be used to fix and maintain other machines in a factory or warehouse.

2)Healthcare:

Medical robots transport medical supplies , perform surgical procedures and offer emotional support to those going through rehabilitation. 

3)Companionship:

Social robots cam support children with learning disabilities and act as a therapeutic tool for people with dementia. They also have business applications like providing in-person customer service in hotels and moving products around warehouses.

 

4)Home Use:

Consumers may be most familiar with the Roomba and other robot vacuum cleaners. However, other home robots include lawn-mowing robots and personal robot assistants that can play music, engage with children and help with household chores.

5)Search and Rescue :

Search and rescue robots can save those stuck in flood waters, deliver supplies to those stranded in remote areas and put out fires when conditions become too extreme for firefighters.

Robotics Aspects:

1)Mechanical construction:

The mechanical aspect of a robot helps it complete tasks in the environment for which it’s designed. For example, the Mars 2020 Rover’s wheels were individually motorized and made of titanium tubing that help it firmly grip the harsh terrain of the red planet.

2)Electrical Components :

Robots need electrical components that control and power the machinery. Essnetially, an electric current – a battery, for example –is needed to power a large majority of robots. 

3)Software Programme :

Robots contain atleast some level of computer programming . Without a set of code telling it what to do, a robot would just be another piece of simple machinery. Inserting a programme into a robot gives it the ability to know when and how to carry out a task.

 

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Multi-use Robots:

Manufacturing of modern robots commenced from 1948 when William Grey Walter built robots named Elmer and Elsie in Burden Neurological Institute of England. But due to their shape and slow pace they were named tortoise robots. These robots, walking on three wheels themselves reached recharge sockets, when running out of battery.

 

The first digitally operated and programmed robot was invented by George Devol in 1954. It was called Unimate. It laid the foundations for the modern robotic industry. It was bought by General Motors in 1960 for commercial use.

 

Subsequently, robots started being built for industrial use. Japan and Germany in 1963 made computers for executing various functions governed hitherto by humans. These robots were less expensive, swift and excellent in quality in comparison to human labour. They are being used in perilous places that are not safe for human beings. They are also being utilized in production industries. Assembling of parts, packing, transportation, exploration of earth and space, surgery, war experiments, laboratory innovations and commercial production of consumer goods.

 

In the current scenario, the emphasis is being laid on insightful robots with artificial intelligence. Vehicles without drivers and robots that draw out minerals from mines are being evolved. Demand for robots with artificial intelligence is mounting in restaurants for the job of waiters and the field of teaching and education. A robot named Marge is fitted with the knowledge of alphabets and can read newspapers as well as edit spelling mistakes with the help of software. A robot recently even wrote a full – page op-ed article. “I have no desire to wipe out humans” the AI robot named GPT-3 thus began its article in The Guardian (8^th September, 2020).

 

Mobile robots are also being utilized for military and security purposes. Explorations are being carried out on the development of their advanced forms. Robots which are deployed for domestic help fit in this category. Besides, a trend of constructing robots similar to human beings in features and shape has ensured – these are called androids. In the science fiction, an android resembles a human being in form . Android is a Greek word meaning human or man. And now a robot has even been granted citizenship of a country.

 

  A robot today is known as a machine especially programmed by a computer and capable of performing a series of tasks. They can have the complete or partial capability of self-operation. Honda’s Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility (ASIMO) and Tosy’s ‘Ping Pong Playing Robot’ (TOPIO) are amongst a few outstanding examples of the robots in a human form or an android.

 

Besides industrial robots, medical operating robots, dog therapy robots and nano-robots have been developed to serve humans. Efforts are being made to introduce artificial intelligence and cognitive abilities in today’s robots which could be expressed in demanding situations. Automatic cars and some domestic robots are included in this category. 

 

 

 

 

 

The branch of technology related to practical applications, design, production and various other usage of a robot as well as associated with computer systems and information processing is known as robotics. This technology is soaring rapidly as automatic machines are replacing human beings in hazardous environments. There is even a robot that can chat like a human -  a Chatbot.

 

 Human-like Robots:

There are probabilities that very soon one might fail to distinguish between a robot and a human being. The form of robot that has reached this level can be tested through a method called ‘Turing Test’. A Turing Test is a method of inquiry in artificial intelligence for determining whether a computer is capable of thinking like a human being or not. The test is named after Alan Turing (1912-1954), an English compute scientist, cryptanalyst, mathematician and theoretical biologist. 

 

The test was introduced by Turing in his research paper, ‘Computing Machinery and Intelligence (1950), while he was working at the University of Manchester as a professor. He described it called the ‘imitation game’. If an evaluator is unable to distinguish between the machine and human behaviour then it is believed that the machine (AI) has passed the Turing Test. Presently various other forms of this test are also in vogue. Futurist Ray Kurzweil predicts that by 2029 computers would be built which would pass the Turing Test and thus Artificial Intelligence would outsmart the human brain in computational capabilities.

 

          Should robots have some ethics to follow? According to Verner Vinge, a robot specialist , computers and robots would be smarter than a human being in the future; this state is called singularity . The Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) organized a scientific conference on this topic in 2009. The subject of concern was that some robots are able to develop cognizance abilities than merely looking for the power socket or reaching its target. There is an essential need to keep an eye on the manufacturing of these types of robots.

 

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Industrial Robot:-

The official definition of an industrial robot is provided by the robotics industries association (RIA). Industrial robot is defined as an automatic, freely programmed, servo-controlled, multi-purpose manipulator to handle various operations of an industry with variable programmed motions.

 

Need for using robotics in industries :-

Industrial robot plays a significant role in automated manufacturing to perform different kinds of applications.

1. Robots can be built as a performance capability superior to those of human beings. In terms of strength, size, speed, accuracy…etc.

2. Robots are better than humans to perform simple and repetitive tasks with better quality and consistency.

3. Robots do not have the limitations and negative attributes of human such as fatigue, need for rest, diversion of attention…..etc.

4. Robots are used in industries to save the time compared to human beings.

5. Robots can be applied in conditions or places which are hazardous to humans.

Specifications of robotics:-

1. Axis of motion

 2. Work stations

3. Speed

4. Acceleration

5. Pay load capacity

6. Accuracy

7. Repeatability etc.

 

Overview of Robotics :-

"Robotics" is defined as the science of designing and building Robots which are suitable for real life application in automated manufacturing and other non-manufacturing environments. It has the following objectives,

1. To increase productivity

2. Reduce production life

3. Minimize labour requirement

4. Enhanced quality of the products

5. Minimize loss of man hours, on account of accidents.

6. Make reliable and high speed production.

 

Types of drive systems :

1)Hydraulic drive :

Hydraulic drive is generally associated with larger robots, such as the Unimate 2000 series. The usual advantages of the hydraulic drive system are that it provides the robot with greater speed and strength. The disadvantages of the hydraulic drive system are that it typically adds to the floor space required by the robot, and that a hydraulic system is inclined to leak on which is a nuisance. This type of system can also be called as non-air powered cylinders. In this system, oil is used as a working fluid instead of compressed air. Hydraulic system needs pump to generate the required pressure and flow rate. These systems are quite complex, costly and requires maintenance

 

2. Electric drive:

Electric drive systems do not generally provide as much speed or power as hydraulic systems. However, the accuracy and repeatability of electric drive robots are usually better. Consequently, electric robots tend to be smaller. Require less floor space, and their applications tend towards more precise work such as assembly. In this System, power is developed by an electric current. It requires little maintenance and provides noise-less operation

 

3. Pneumatic drive

Pneumatic drive is generally reserved for smaller robots that possess fewer degrees of freedom (two-to four-joint motions). In this system, air is used as a working fluid, hence it is also called airpowered cylinders. Air is compressed in the cylinder and with the aid of pump the compressed air is used to generate the power with required amount of pressure and flow rates

 

Applications of robots:-

Present Applications of Robots:-

(i)Material transfer applications (ii) Machine loading and unloading (iii) Processing operations like, (a) Spot welding (b) Continuous arc welding (c) Spray coating (d) Drilling, routing, machining operations (e) Grinding, polishing debarring wire brushing (g) Laser drilling and cutting etc. (iv) Assembly tasks. (v) Inspection, automation or test equipment.

 

Future Applications of Robots :-

The profile of the future robot based on the research activities will include the following, (i) Intelligence (ii) Sensor capabilities (iii) Telepresence (iv) Mechanical design (v) Mobility and navigation (walking machines) (vi) Universal gripper (vii) Systems integration and networking (viii) FMS (Flexible Manufacturing Systems) (Ix) Hazardous and inaccessible non-manufacturing environments (x) Underground coal mining (xi) Fire fighting operations (xii) Robots in space (xiii) Security guards (xiv) Garbage collection and waste disposal operations (xv) Household robots (xvi) Medical care and hospital duties etc.

 

Industrial robots are available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and physical configurations. The vast majority of today’s commercially available robots possess one of the basic configurations:

I. Polar configuration

2. Cylindrical configuration

3. Cartesian coordinate configurable

4. Jointed-arm configuration

 

Intelligent robots:

These type of robots not only programmable motion cycle but also interact with it’s environment. in a way that years intelligent. It can make logical decisions based on sensor data received from the operation. There robots are usually programmed using an English like symbolic language not like a computer programming language

 

Main components of industrial robot :

A typical stand-alone robot shown in fig below, comprises of the following basic components, namely. 1.Manipulator

2.Sensors devices

3.Robot Tooling

4.Robot controller unit (RCU)