Robot Components and Sensors

Start with the components

Begin with Industrial Robot Components for an overview of the controller, arm, driver and end effector. The map also introduces grippers and manufacturing tools, including mechanical, vacuum and magnetic options. Use it to identify the parts before looking more closely at how a robot senses or moves.

The Robotics mind map offers a starting point for the unit, with a basic description of a robot and the kinds of jobs it can perform. The flashcard deck on robot links and joints provides another way to study component terminology.

Explore sensors and movement

The Sensors mind map covers vision, tactile, range and force or torque sensing. It also refers to sensory feedback and measuring a variable. After studying the map, use the sensor quiz listed on the page to work with the topic in a different format.

For movement, Actuators covers hydraulic and pneumatic options, as well as several gripping approaches. Manipulator Robot brings controllers, sensors, actuators, end effectors and joints together in one map. Compare the terms across these maps to see how the listed components relate to a robotic system.

Connect the topics

Power Sources for Robotic Systems adds fuel cells and electrical storage to the collection. A flowchart on vision data processing shows another use of sensor data, alongside filtering and CAD model information.

To practice terminology, try Robotic Systems Quick Questions, which asks about kinematics, joints and redundancy. Then return to the maps to study the relevant terms. Together, these resources connect Robot Components and Sensors with the wider Robotics unit in Mechanical engineering. Choose a resource and build your own map to organize the ideas.