01. Introduction to Robotics

🧠 1. Controller – The Brain

The controller is the robot’s brain. It reads input from sensors, processes it, and controls actions like movement or lights.

• 🔌 Examples: Arduino, Raspberry Pi – small boards you can program to make robots move, react, or avoid obstacles.
• 🧠 Think of it like: Your brain in an exam — gets the question (input), thinks, and writes the answer (output).

👀 2. Sensors – The Robot's Senses

Sensors help robots gather information from the world — like eyes, ears, or skin for machines.

• 🔊 Sound sensors – detect claps or voices
• 🔆 Light sensors – follow lines or sense brightness
• 📏 Distance sensors – avoid obstacles using sonar or infrared
• 🤚 Touch sensors – respond when pressed
• 🤖 Example: A line-following robot uses a light sensor to stay on track, just like a toy train.

💪 3. Actuators – The Muscles

Actuators are the robot’s moving parts — like muscles in our body.

• 🔁 Motors and servos do the work: rolling, lifting, waving, or gripping
• 🛴 Example: A fan spins using a motor. A robot arm waves using another motor!

A fan spinning? That’s a motor (actuator). A robot arm waving? Another motor!

🔌 4. Power Supply – The Heartbeat

No electricity, no robot. Power keeps everything running.

• 🔋 Runs on batteries (AA, Li-ion) or wall adapters
• ☀️ Some even use solar panels
• ⚡ Example: Like your phone needs charge, so does your robot!

🧱 5. Frame/Chassis – The Skeleton

The chassis holds all robot parts together — like bones in your body.

• 🟫 DIY: Cardboard
• 🧩 Kits: Plastic (like LEGO)
• 🪙 Strong builds: Metal
• 💡 Try this: Build a frame with ice cream sticks and glue!

🔁 Bonus: Communication System (Robot’s Voice)

Robots can connect with phones, other robots, or the internet using:

• 📶 Bluetooth – e.g., phone-controlled car
• 🌐 Wi-Fi – e.g., sending data to the cloud
• 📡 Infrared – e.g., remote control

📱 Example: Use your phone to steer a robot like a game controller.

🧠 Summary Chart