Introduction to Robotics — Summer 2025

What is a robot? List some of its applications.

State Asimov’s laws of robotics.

List the advantages and disadvantages of using a robot, its chief characteristics and the need for automation.

What are some of the typical kinematic pairs/joints used in a robot and the associated degree of freedom?

Explain forward and inverse kinematics and D-Hparameters.

Describe the typical co-ordinate systems and reference frames used in robotics.

Apoint P[7, 3, 1]Tis attached to an end effector of a robot and is subjected to the following transformations about the fixed reference frame: 1. Rotation of 90∘ about the y-axis; 2. Followed by a rotation of 90∘ about the x-axis; 3. Followed by a translation of [4, -3, 7]. Find the total transformation matrix, and the transformed coordinates of point P.

Describe different drive systems used in robotics.

Describe the different types of actuators used in robotics.

Explain DC and AC motors, its types in detail and list out the advantages and disadvantages (for e.g., the heat dissipation characteristics etc.).

Explain the difference between a gripper and an end effector.

List out the various advantages and disadvantages of different actuators.

Explain the different types of grippers and the criteria on which those grippers are selected.

What are sensors and why are they important?

Explain roll, pitch, yaw and Euler angles.

Explain various internal sensors that are commonly used in robotics.

What are mobile robots and what are the different mechanisms through which the mobility is achieved.

Explain path planning and trajectory planning.

Explain various sensor characteristics and the criteria on which they are selected.

Explain WAIT, SIGNAL and DELAY commands using a small code block.

Explain VAL, RAIL, AML and Python languages used in robotics.

Explain in detail the role of AI, its need, and applications in the field of robotics.

Explain the different types of learning methods in ML.

Explain what is Genetic Algorithm and Artificial Neural Network.

Explain the different programming methods and generation of programming languages used in robotics.