Virtual Instrumentation
Virtual instrumentation is use of software and modular measurement hardware to customise measurement systems. There are virtual instrumentation software packages available. The most used are National Instrument’s Labview, National Instrument’s Measurement Studio, and Agilent VEE. The most common of these is National Instrument’s Labview.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Friday, July 20, 2007
Remote operation of a robot.
Remote operation of a robot.
Sometimes, it is too difficult or too dangerous to be in direct control of a robot. In such cases, we can set the robot up for remote control. Many of you are already familiar with this concept – Remote controlled toy cars work on this concept, but in short range. Sometimes we need to operate a robot from perhaps thousands of kilometres away.
Robots controlled this way are connected to the information superhighway – the internet. It is possible to control the robot using only a keyboard and mouse. The instructions you send it are translated by a machine to tell the robot what to do. It is more effective to have one or more webcam trained on the robot or robot arm to see what is happening.
Sometimes, it is too difficult or too dangerous to be in direct control of a robot. In such cases, we can set the robot up for remote control. Many of you are already familiar with this concept – Remote controlled toy cars work on this concept, but in short range. Sometimes we need to operate a robot from perhaps thousands of kilometres away.
Robots controlled this way are connected to the information superhighway – the internet. It is possible to control the robot using only a keyboard and mouse. The instructions you send it are translated by a machine to tell the robot what to do. It is more effective to have one or more webcam trained on the robot or robot arm to see what is happening.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Robotics - offsite monitoring
Off site monitoring
There are two ways to check a site’s robot/s remotely. The first, and easiest way is by webcam. Setting up a webcam and a webpage to match requires a little knowledge of HTML, PHP, or some other internet scripting technique. A live webcam feed allows you to see the robot’s progress and any potential external errors.
The second, and most common, way to check a robot is to use sensors. There are all sorts of sensors for all sort of applications – distance (or length), weight, arm angle, motion, etc. depending on how the robot is configured, and what needs to be checked. A lot of sensors can be wired up to a main computer.
A sensor should only trigger an alarm if something is wrong, and it should alert the problem to the relevant person. The sensor should also give an indication of its status within set bounds, so any potential problem can be seen early and fixed before any potential problem becomes a disaster.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Remote operation and control over long distance.
Remote operation and control over long distance.
In the instance you may want to control a device over hundreds of kilometres, wireless control and control panels are not possible. Instead, you would have a remote linkup to the device, and a computer control. Over the coming weeks, I will take you some techniques for long distance remote operation and monitoring.
In the instance you may want to control a device over hundreds of kilometres, wireless control and control panels are not possible. Instead, you would have a remote linkup to the device, and a computer control. Over the coming weeks, I will take you some techniques for long distance remote operation and monitoring.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Remote operation of short distances.
Remote operation of short distances.
With our without wires, it is possible to control a robot remotely. There are many ways to do this. The simplest would be the use of a control panel. Each button on the control is a specific item to do with the machine, and there would generally be a joystick to control movement.
The other way is to use a scaled down replica of the robot. In cases where you need precise control, and in special effects where you are interacting with a live audience, yo would generally use a combination to create more realistic effects., but how does this work?
In the scaled version, there are motion sensors that detect motion in all three directions, as well as tilt. These are linked to a processor that may be external to the replica which tells the robot what to do. Such a process is being used in the ‘Walking with Dinosaurs’ production running in Sci-tech in Perth, Western Australia.
With our without wires, it is possible to control a robot remotely. There are many ways to do this. The simplest would be the use of a control panel. Each button on the control is a specific item to do with the machine, and there would generally be a joystick to control movement.
The other way is to use a scaled down replica of the robot. In cases where you need precise control, and in special effects where you are interacting with a live audience, yo would generally use a combination to create more realistic effects., but how does this work?
In the scaled version, there are motion sensors that detect motion in all three directions, as well as tilt. These are linked to a processor that may be external to the replica which tells the robot what to do. Such a process is being used in the ‘Walking with Dinosaurs’ production running in Sci-tech in Perth, Western Australia.
Friday, May 25, 2007
GPS navigation
GPS navigation in cars
As time goes on, more and more people are relying on GPS systems installed into their car to guide them on a journey. These are usually to places they have never been before. No doubt they’re great systems, but there are pitfalls when using one, and pitfalls when buying one.
What is GPS?
GPS stands for Global Position System. It was designed by the US military for accuracy in long range attacks, surveillance, and R&D. There are currently about 2 dozen GPS satellites in orbit. They can calculate your position from your signal, its position and three or more satellites. This is a technique called trilateration (for more info on trilateration, click here. There are two levels of accuracy – the military one, which is about 3m, and the civilian one, which is about 15m.
Who are the suppliers of in-car navigation systems?
There are many suppliers – Garmin, TomTom, NavMan, Mitec to name a few. It is important to look around and see what you are willing to pay, and what is available. Don’t buy something because someone else says it’s good.
Why are they good?
Navigation systems tend to replace maps. Maps that get used a lot tend to get dog-eared and pages can go missing. You can also set the system to guide you to your destination, and it will give clear directions where to turn.
Why are they bad?
First things first, people are beginning to rely too much. There are cases where people have gone off the road following the instructions of the GPS, regardless of what the roads signs said – especially more so in construction zones, which may change condition daily. Also, the map in the system may become old – new roads may not have been added in. It’s possible to update the map – most companies use cards or a CD which can be replaced, but is far more expensive.
As time goes on, more and more people are relying on GPS systems installed into their car to guide them on a journey. These are usually to places they have never been before. No doubt they’re great systems, but there are pitfalls when using one, and pitfalls when buying one.
What is GPS?
GPS stands for Global Position System. It was designed by the US military for accuracy in long range attacks, surveillance, and R&D. There are currently about 2 dozen GPS satellites in orbit. They can calculate your position from your signal, its position and three or more satellites. This is a technique called trilateration (for more info on trilateration, click here. There are two levels of accuracy – the military one, which is about 3m, and the civilian one, which is about 15m.
Who are the suppliers of in-car navigation systems?
There are many suppliers – Garmin, TomTom, NavMan, Mitec to name a few. It is important to look around and see what you are willing to pay, and what is available. Don’t buy something because someone else says it’s good.
Why are they good?
Navigation systems tend to replace maps. Maps that get used a lot tend to get dog-eared and pages can go missing. You can also set the system to guide you to your destination, and it will give clear directions where to turn.
Why are they bad?
First things first, people are beginning to rely too much. There are cases where people have gone off the road following the instructions of the GPS, regardless of what the roads signs said – especially more so in construction zones, which may change condition daily. Also, the map in the system may become old – new roads may not have been added in. It’s possible to update the map – most companies use cards or a CD which can be replaced, but is far more expensive.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Robotics today and the future – are they good for us?
Robotics today and the future – are they good for us?
There is no doubt that all of us want a robot, whether it’s for company, for protection or for help. Robots can be good or bad, depending on what we want from them, and what limitations we may decide to impose on them, but are robots really good for us? Today we discuss one of the cons of the robots of the future.
On thing which may not surprise you is that we are becoming fatter each year. The cause of this is said to be fast food and junk food, but I think this may not be the case. You only have to look at the Amish to see the fallacy in blaming fatty foods – they are fit and healthy. Why?
As more cars get on the road, we get lazier. We refuse to get up and walk somewhere if we can drive there. If it’s 400km away, walking may take you a long time, so driving is OK. If it’s down the street, or two block away, walk. Most of us will drive even if it’s only 1km away. We refuse to let our kids out because it’s dangerous. We lack exercise.
I fear that the robots of the future will take away our need to exercise. We may even ask them to exercise for us – not good! The reason why we have developed so many tools is because humans are inherently lazy – if there is an easier or faster way to do the same thing, we will try it or invent it. Robots may be just another symptom of this, and that we will all eventually become fat.
There is no doubt that all of us want a robot, whether it’s for company, for protection or for help. Robots can be good or bad, depending on what we want from them, and what limitations we may decide to impose on them, but are robots really good for us? Today we discuss one of the cons of the robots of the future.
On thing which may not surprise you is that we are becoming fatter each year. The cause of this is said to be fast food and junk food, but I think this may not be the case. You only have to look at the Amish to see the fallacy in blaming fatty foods – they are fit and healthy. Why?
As more cars get on the road, we get lazier. We refuse to get up and walk somewhere if we can drive there. If it’s 400km away, walking may take you a long time, so driving is OK. If it’s down the street, or two block away, walk. Most of us will drive even if it’s only 1km away. We refuse to let our kids out because it’s dangerous. We lack exercise.
I fear that the robots of the future will take away our need to exercise. We may even ask them to exercise for us – not good! The reason why we have developed so many tools is because humans are inherently lazy – if there is an easier or faster way to do the same thing, we will try it or invent it. Robots may be just another symptom of this, and that we will all eventually become fat.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)