3. What is a robot?

What is a robot? A lot of people think of robots as machines that both do the work of humans and look like them. Strictly speaking, these devices should be termed androids, from the Greek “andros” meaning “of man” and “aidos” meaning “form”. A number of androids have indeed been created, but they have been mostly for amusement value.

So how should we define a robot? A robot is a gadget which wholly or in part imitates a man – sometimes in appearance and sometimes in action. Thus a machine which simulates, say, the action of a person’s limb can be called a robot.

There are few microelectronic applications more likely to raise fears regarding future employment opportunities than robots for the very obvious reason that such machines directly replace human labour. The emotive nature of the subject inevitably gives rise to misapprehensions.

It is necessary first to define an industrial robot. Alternative definitions and classifications abound but basically a robot is a machine which moves, manipulates, joins or processes components in the same way as human hand or arm. It consists basically of three elements: the mechanical structure (including the artificial wrist and gripper), the power unit (hydraulic, pneumatic or, increasingly, electrical) and the control system (increasingly minicomputers and microprocessors). However, the essential characteristic of a robot is that it can be programmed. Thus many devices (often called robots) would be better termed “numerically-controlled arms”, since they are mechanical arms controlled by simple (non-computer) software and as such are not radically different to much existing automation equipment. There are reported about 20 000 of the latter in use in Japan, and perhaps several thousand in the United Kingdom. A robot, however, is here defined as a hybrid of a mechanical, electrical and computing engineering.

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4. Automobile production

Specialists in automobile industry deal with designing and manufacturing cars, so they should know that the production of the automobile comprises the following phases:

1) designing,

2) working out the technology of manufacturing processes,

3) laboratory tests,

4) road tests,

5) mass production (manufacturing).

It is important to know all these facts as before the automobile (car or truck) is put into mass production, it should be properly designed and the automobile must meet up-to-date requirements. The automobile must have high efficiency, long service life, driving safety, ease of maintenance and pleasant appearance.

In order to obtain all these qualities engineers should develop up-to-date methods of designing cars, using new types of resistant to corrosion light materials. Also it is important to know computer science because it is intended to shorten the time between designing and manufacturing. Computers offer quick and optimal solutions of problems.

But before the car is put into mass production all its units and mechanisms are subjected to tests, first in the plant's laboratory, then the car undergoes a rigid quality control in road tests. Only then the car is put into mass production. Why are these tests required? What qualities are required of the automobile? The modern automobile must be rapid in acceleration, must have smooth acting clutch, silent gearbox, dependable brakes and steering system, as well as pleasant appearance. Also it must be comfortable and have all conveniences.

The primary components of a car are the power plant, the power transmission, the running gear, and the con­trol system. These constitute the chassis, on which the body is mounted.

The power plant includes the engine and its fuel, the carburettor, ignition, lubrication, and cooling systems, and the starter motor.

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1. What are the phases of the production of the automobile?

2. What are the requirements of the automobile?

3. What qualities are required of the automobile?

4. What are the primary components of a car?

5. What does the power plant include?