diff --git a/docs/modules/1_introduction/1_definition_of_robotics/definition_of_robotics_main.rst b/docs/modules/1_introduction/1_definition_of_robotics/definition_of_robotics_main.rst index fd151e3f20..f6fba646b4 100644 --- a/docs/modules/1_introduction/1_definition_of_robotics/definition_of_robotics_main.rst +++ b/docs/modules/1_introduction/1_definition_of_robotics/definition_of_robotics_main.rst @@ -1,14 +1,77 @@ Definition of Robotics ---------------------- -In recent years, autonomous navigation technologies have received huge -attention in many fields. -Such fields include, autonomous driving[22], drone flight navigation, -and other transportation systems. +What is Robotics? +^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ -Examples of Python in Robotics: +Robot is a machine that can perform tasks automatically or semi-autonomously. +Robotics is the study of robots. +The field of robotics has wide areas of technologies such as mechanical engineering, +electrical engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence (AI), +to create machines that can perform tasks autonomously or semi-autonomously. + +The History of Robots +^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ + +This timeline highlights key milestones in the history of robotics: + +Ancient and Early Concepts (Before 1500s) +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + +The idea of **automated machines** has existed for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations imagined mechanical beings: + +- **Ancient Greece (4th Century BC)** – Greek engineer **Hero of Alexandria** designed early **automata** (self-operating machines) powered by water or air. +- **Chinese and Arabic Automata (9th–13th Century)** – Inventors like **Al-Jazari** created intricate mechanical devices, including water clocks and humanoid robots. + +The Birth of Modern Robotics (1500s–1800s) +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + +- **Leonardo da Vinci’s Robot (1495)** – Designed a humanoid knight with mechanical movement. +- **Jacques de Vaucanson’s Automata (1738)** – Created robotic figures like a mechanical duck that could "eat" and "digest." +- **Industrial Revolution (18th–19th Century)** – Machines began replacing human labor in factories, setting the foundation for automation. + +The Rise of Industrial Robots (1900s–1950s) +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + +- **The Term “Robot” (1921)** – Czech writer **Karel Čapek** introduced the word *“robot”* in his play *R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots)*. +- **Early Cybernetics (1940s–1950s)** – Scientists like **Norbert Wiener** developed theories of self-regulating machines, influencing modern robotics. + +The Birth of Modern Robotics (1950s–1980s) +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + +- **First Industrial Robot (1961)** – *Unimate*, created by **George Devol and Joseph Engelberger**, was the first programmable robot used in a factory. +- **Rise of AI & Autonomous Robots (1970s–1980s)** – Researchers developed mobile robots like **Shakey** (Stanford, 1966) and AI-based control systems. + +Advanced Robotics and AI Integration (1990s–Present) +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + +- **Autonomous Vehicles & Drones** – Self-driving cars and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) became more advanced. +- **Medical Robotics** – Robots like **da Vinci Surgical System** revolutionized healthcare. +- **Personal Robots** – Devices like **Roomba** (vacuum robot) and **Sophia** (AI humanoid) became popular. +- **Collaborative Robots (Cobots)** – Robots started working alongside humans in industries. + +Key Components of Robotics +^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ + +Robotics consists of several essential components: + +#. Sensors – Gather information from the environment (e.g., cameras, LiDAR, gyro, accelerometer, wheel encoders). +#. Actuators – Enable movement and interaction with the world (e.g., motors, hydraulic systems). +#. Computers – Process sensor data and make decisions (e.g., micro-controllers, CPUs, GPUs). +#. Power Supply – Provides energy to run the robot (e.g., batteries, solar power). +#. Software & Algorithms – Allow the robot to function and make intelligent decisions (e.g., ROS, machine learning models, localization, mapping, path planning, control). + +This project, PythonRobotics, focuses on the software and algorithms part of robotics. + +Applications of Robots +^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ + +Robots come in various forms depending on their purpose: + +#. 🤖 Industrial Robots – Used in manufacturing (e.g., robotic arms in manufacturing factories). +#. 🏠 Service Robots – Assist in daily life (e.g., vacuum robots, delivery robots). +#. 🚗 Autonomous Vehicles – Self-driving cars and drones. +#. 👨‍⚕️ Medical Robots – Assist in surgeries and healthcare. +#. 🚀 Space & Exploration Robots – Used for planetary exploration (e.g., NASA’s Mars rovers). +#. 🐶 Humanoid & Social Robots – Designed to interact with humans (e.g., ASIMO, Sophia). -Autonomous Navigation: Python is used in self-driving cars and other autonomous vehicles for tasks like perception, localization, and path planning. -Industrial Robotics: Python is employed in manufacturing for robot control, quality inspection, and automation. -Service Robotics: Python powers robots that perform tasks like cleaning, delivery, and customer service in various environments. -Research and Education: Python is a popular choice in robotics research and education due to its ease of use and versatility. \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/docs/modules/1_introduction/2_python_for_robotics/python_for_robotics_main.rst b/docs/modules/1_introduction/2_python_for_robotics/python_for_robotics_main.rst index b677d2c59b..c47c122853 100644 --- a/docs/modules/1_introduction/2_python_for_robotics/python_for_robotics_main.rst +++ b/docs/modules/1_introduction/2_python_for_robotics/python_for_robotics_main.rst @@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ Python for Robotics A programing language, Python is used for this `PythonRobotics` project to achieve the purposes of this project described in the :ref:`What is PythonRobotics?`. -This section explains the Python itself and features for science computing Robotics. +This section explains the Python itself and features for science computing and robotics. Python for general-purpose programming ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ diff --git a/docs/modules/1_introduction/3_technology_for_robotics/technology_for_robotics_main.rst b/docs/modules/1_introduction/3_technology_for_robotics/technology_for_robotics_main.rst index 4dd1d1842f..93dc9e3466 100644 --- a/docs/modules/1_introduction/3_technology_for_robotics/technology_for_robotics_main.rst +++ b/docs/modules/1_introduction/3_technology_for_robotics/technology_for_robotics_main.rst @@ -1,6 +1,15 @@ Technology for Robotics ------------------------- + +Autonomous Navigation +^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ + +In recent years, autonomous navigation technologies have received huge +attention in many fields. +Such fields include, autonomous driving[22], drone flight navigation, +and other transportation systems. + An autonomous navigation system is a system that can move to a goal over long periods of time without any external control by an operator. The system requires a wide range of technologies: