Robotics Report

Robotics has undergone a major transformation in the last decade and is accepted by industry and a variety of public institutions to improve factory efficiency and augment human performance, and a variety of public institutions. Advanced research in the new generation of robots focuses on flexible engineering design and intelligent software, combined with the revolutionary changes in micro and nano technologies in computer-assisted surgery. Robotics is the engineering science and technology of robots, and their design, manufacture, application, and structural disposition. Robotics is related to electronics, mechanics, and software.  Movable statues were the beginnings of what we would call robots. Today robot means any man-made machine that can perform work or other actions normally performed by humans. (http://ftp.wtec.loyola.edu/robotics/welcome.htm)

In the early 1800’s mechanical puppets were first built in Europe, just for entertainment value. And these were called robots since their parts were driven by linkage and cams and controlled by rotating drum selectors. In 1801 Joseph Maria Jacquard made the next great change and invented the automatic draw loom. The draw loom would punch cards and was used to control the lifting of thread in fabric factories. This was the first to be able to store a program and control a machine. After that there were many small changes in robotics but we were slowly moving forward. In 1950 Isaac Asimov came up with laws for robots and these were: firstly a robot may not injure a human being, or through inaction allow a human being to come to harm. Secondly the robot must obey the orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the first law. Thirdly a robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the first or second law. The mobile Robotics moved into its own in 1983 when Odetics introduced this six-legged vehicle which was capable of climbing over objects. This robot could lift over 5.6 times its own weight parked and 2.3 times its weight moving.  (http://www.bsu.edu/web/mawilliams/history.html )

There are 3 main components to make robots. A computer program acts as the brain of the robot. Other components are actuators and mechanical parts with motors, pistons, grippers, wheels, gears and all of them are should have a program. Yet more components are called sensors - vision, sound, temperature, motion, light, touch, and with these three components, robots can interact and affect their environment to become useful. The impact of robotics on society is mainly in manufacturing. Robots are also used in cases where they can do a better job than a human such as surgery where high precision is a benefit. And robots are used in exploration in dangerous places such as in volcanoes which allows us to learn without endangering ourselves. (http://www.arrickrobotics.com/report.html)

There are advantages and disadvantages for the robotics, as with any machine. The advantage is that the robots can do things we humans just don't want to do, and usually do it cheaper. Also, robots can do unsafe jobs like monitor a nuclear power plant or explore a volcano. Robots can do things more precisely than humans and allow progress in medical science and other useful advances. The disadvantage is that the robots are especially good at boring, repetitive tasks such as making circuit boards or dispensing glue on parts. Robots can break and even cause disaster. They are powerful machines that we allow to control certain things. When something goes wrong, terrible things can happen. Luckily, this is rare because robotic systems are designed with many safety features that limit the harm they can do. (http://www.arrickrobotics.com/report.html)

Bibliography:

http://ftp.wtec.loyola.edu/robotics/welcome.htm

http://www.bsu.edu/web/mawilliams/history.html

http://www.arrickrobotics.com/report.html

The similarities and differences between Oman, UAE and Qatar

               In the Middle East there are many different countries. There are poor and rich countries and there are countries which have a  small area and population, like Qatar and Bahrain, and  countries which have a  big area and population, like Saudi and Oman. Muscat is the capital of Oman, Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and Doha is the capital of Qatar. I am going to write about the similarities and differences between these countries.                    ( http://0-online.culturegrams.com.library.hct.ac.ae/world/world_country=Oman)

               There are some distinct similarities between Oman, UAE and Qatar. The first similarity is that all of them take the coffee and tea before and after meals. Another similarity is that you should not use the left hand for shaking hands. You should use the right hand. Yet another similarity is that all of them are worried about Iran's nuclear program.                                                      (http://0-online.culturegrams.com.library.hct.ac.ae/world/world_country=United_Arab_Emirates)

                Although there are some similarities, there are also some differences. The first difference is the area. Oman has a big area, it is 309,500km2 and the UAE has a smaller area, it is 83,600km2, but Qatar is the smallest one and it is 11,586km2. Another difference is the currency. In Oman they use the Omani rial, in the UAE they use the Emirati dirham and in Qatar they use the Qatari rial. Yet another difference is the flag. The flag of Oman features three horizontal stripes of white, red, and green and one vertical stripe of red on the left-hand side, the flag of the United Arab Emirates features three horizontal stripes—green, white, and black—and one vertical stripe of red on the left side, and the flag of Qatar is dark red with a white jagged panel on the left side.                                                                         (http://0-online.culturegrams.com.library.hct.ac.ae/world/world_country=Qatar)

                 Overall the similarities outweigh the differences. All these countries are good places and have very friendly relations.

Six lessons from South Africa

           South Africa may have been enriched by the World Cup, with even the lowliest citizens sensing the moral reward of hosting the rest of the world. Brazil were temperamentally flawed against Holland. Ultimately we have to be grateful that Spain, genuine masters of the game, kept their nerve in the face of Holland’s wanton intimidation in the final. The lessons of 2010 are many, but six seem to me pre-eminent if football is not to be strangled by its ruthless tactical advance.

           The first thing is there should be stronger, practical, support for referees. For repetitive fouling, teams such as Holland in the final should be retrospectively fined – as were Argentina following the 1996 quarter-final against England. Another thing is the stricter application of the laws. There could have been at least half-a-dozen bookings or red cards/penalties at corners and free-kicks. Yet another thing is the award  of penalty-goals. They should be awarded where a defending player on the goal line handles the ball or fouls an opponent to prevent an otherwise certain goal.

              The fourth thing is the penalty shoot-outs. This deplorable system of determining a result should be replaced, with extra time. Another thing is Africa’s shortfall. This problem lies primarily with African national federations and their lack of coaching and financial stability. The final one is creating more space and freedom. This would have the effect of “widening” the field of play, increasing the rate of fatigue, which in turn accelerates the breakdown of defensive organization.

Miller, David. "WorldSoccer." Six Lessons from South Africa 12 Nov. 2010: 12-13. Web.