WHAT IS A ROBOT - A robot is a machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions
automatically, especially by programmable means.
Brief History of Robot - Robot is drawn from an old Church Slavonic word ROBOTA, for
“servitude,” “forced labor” or “drudgery.” The word robot first appeared in a 1921 stage play by
Czech writer Karel Capek. In the play, a man makes a machine that can think, which he calls a
robot
Core Components of a Robot –
1. Sensors – Perception of surroundings (e.g., cameras, touch)
2. Actuators – Movement (motors, wheels,arm)
3. Controllers – The brain (microcontrollers, processors)
4. Power Supply – Batteries or wired
5. Software – Programming and decision-making
TYPES OF ROBOTS
• Industrial Robots (factories, welding, assembly)
• Service Robots (cleaning, healthcare, delivery)
• Exploration Robots (Mars rovers, underwater drones)
• Military & Security Robots
• Medical Robots (surgery, rehabilitation)
• Humanoid Robots (mimic human behavior)
BENEFITS OF ROBOTICS
• Increased efficiency and productivity
• Performs dangerous or repetitive tasks
• Enhances precision and quality
• Operates in hazardous environments
What is Arduino’s Connection to Robotics?
• Robotics involves sensing, thinking, and acting—and Arduino helps with all of these
List of sensors (things that detect the world) and actuators (things that do something) you can
use with an Arduino.
SENSORS (They help Arduino “sense” the world)
Light
Photoresistor (LDR) – Senses light and dark
TSL2561 / BH1750 – Light intensity sensors (more accurate)
Temperature / Humidity
DHT11 / DHT22 – Temperature and humidity
LM35 – Analog temperature sensor
DS18B20 – Digital temperature sensor (accurate)
Sound
Sound sensor / Microphone module – Detects noise or sound level
Motion / Position
PIR Sensor – Detects people moving
Accelerometer (e.g. ADXL345) – Detects tilt, shaking
Gyroscope (e.g. MPU6050) – Detects rotation/spin
Magnetometer (e.g. HMC5883L) – Detects magnetic field (compass)
Gas / Air Quality
MQ series (MQ-2, MQ-135, etc.) – Detect smoke, gas, air pollution
CO2 Sensor (MG811) – Measures carbon dioxide
Water
Water level sensor – Tells how much water is in a container
Rain sensor – Detects rain or water drops
Soil moisture sensor – Tells if your plant needs water 🌱
Touch / Pressure
Touch sensor – Detects when you touch it
Force sensor (FSR) – Measures how hard something is pressing
Distance / Proximity
Ultrasonic sensor (HC-SR04) – Measures distance using sound
IR Sensor – Detects objects or people nearby
Others
IR Receiver – For remote controls
RFID – For scanning ID cards (like tapping a bus card)
Color sensor (TCS34725) – Detects colors
Pulse sensor – Detects heartbeat
ACTUATORS (They let Arduino do things)
Lights
LEDs – Little lights you can turn on/off or make blink
RGB LED – Can change to any color!
Neopixel / WS2812 – Fancy color-changing LEDs in strips or rings
Sound
Buzzer – Makes beeping sounds
Speaker – Play tunes or sounds
Movement
DC Motor – Spins something fast (like wheels)
Servo Motor – Rotates to specific angles (great for robot arms!)
Stepper Motor – Moves in steps, good for precision
Vibration motor – Makes things vibrate (like a phone)
Display
LCD Screen (16x2) – Shows letters and numbers
OLED Display – Small screen for text or graphics
LED Matrix – Light-up grid for shapes or animations
TFT Screen – Color screen for pictures and apps
Breadboard - A breadboard is a plastic board with holes that lets you easily connect wires and
electronic parts without soldering. It's used to build and test circuits.
