by Budge Burgess

Created on: April 05, 2009   Last Updated: April 08, 2009

The popular image of the robot is probably that of the science fiction android - human-like, super intelligent, highly skilled, and perhaps agonising over its desire to experience emotion.

In reality, no existing robot comes close. They're all shapes, all sizes, perform a vast range of functions, have limited intelligence, no consciousness, and only a handful have a 'humanoid' appearance. The variety of robots is so diverse there's no single, universally accepted description of what a robot is.

But let's start somewhere. A robot is a programmable machine: it's designed to sense and interact with its environment; it processes information and undertakes specific actions purposefully. It can work without direct human intervention, and it's equipped with the tools and flexibility of movement necessary to achieve given tasks.

If we're to consider what constitute the usual or likely components of a robot, then a stationary, industrial version seems the best starting point. There are approximately a million industrial robots currently working in factories and production lines. In general, they have a fixed base, remain in one spot, and use a mechanical arm to carry out their tasks.

They're automatically controlled, reprogrammable, can fulfil multiple purposes, and operate in at least three axes - in fact, the most familiar are the 6-axis robots (a tooled arm mounted on a base, employed to manipulate, machine, weld, cut, paint, package, assemble, or do a score of other tasks). These are the drones of the production line.

Crucial components, here, are the arm and its axes: a robot arm has to move through two dimensions to reach any point on a flat surface, and thus requires two axes (or joints); to reach any point in space, it has to move through three dimensions, so three axes; the addition of another three axes (described as yaw, pitch, and roll) equips the arm with the flexibility to carry out an extraordinary range of programmed tasks.

Each axis requires a power source to move it through its specific plane; some use electric motors, others hydraulics, some compressed air - the choice may depend on the environment in which the robot works and the number of movements it will be required to make in any given time.

Most robots have a battery or a direct electrical supply, but those using hydraulics also need a pump, and those employing compressed air or gasses have a compressor or gas tanks fitted.

The robot's movements follow programmed instructions. Usually, the robot will

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