Introduction to Robotics
This or that
Robot or just automatic? 4 pairs to sort fast
Do you know the difference between a robot and an automatic machine?
Quick check · tap an answer to continue
Lesson notes
Explain the sense-think-act loop and tell a robot from a simple automated machine
Key points
- Washer timer / Line follower: The line follower is the robot: it senses the line and corrects its path; the timer just repeats.
- Autonomy / Automation: Automation repeats a fixed sequence; autonomy means deciding from sensed data without a human.
- Revolute / Prismatic: A revolute joint rotates about an axis; a prismatic joint slides along one, each adding one DOF.
- Manipulator / End-effector: The manipulator is the arm of links and joints; the end-effector is the tool at its tip.
Takeaway: Robot = sense, think, act; repetition alone is just automation.
Quick check: A traffic light at Kejetia cycles on a fixed timer. Is it a robot?
- Yes, it acts automatically
- Yes, it has electronics
- No, it never senses or decides
Without sensing and decision-making, fixed repeated action is only automation.
sense-think-actautonomymanipulator
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