Английский язык в сфере компьютерных и телекоммуникационных технологий (стр. 20 )

An articulated robot has a number of characteristics, such as degree of freedom, maximum payload, accuracy, repeatability, resolution, etc.

Degree of freedom is defined by the number of independent motions in which the end effector can move, defined by the number of axes of motion of the manipulator.

An articulated robot has a gripper: a device for grasping or holding, attached to the free end of the last manipulator link; also called the robot’s hand or end-effector.

The maximum payload is the amount of weight carried by the robot manipulator at reduced speed while maintaining rated precision. Nominal payload is measured at maximum speed while maintaining rated precision. These ratings are highly dependent on the size and shape of the payload.

Accuracy is the difference between the point that a robot is trying to achieve and the actual resultant position. Absolute accuracy is the difference between a point instructed by the robot control system and the point actually achieved by the manipulator arm, while repeatability is the cycle-to-cycle variation of the manipulator arm when aimed at the same point.

Repeatability is the ability of a system or mechanism to repeat the same motion or achieve the same points when presented with the same control signals.

Resolution is the smallest increment of motion or distance that can be detected or controlled by the control system of a mechanism. The resolution of any joint is a function of encoder pulses per revolution and drive ratio, and dependent on the distance between the tool center point and the joint axis.

Maximum speed is the compounded maximum speed of the tip of a robot moving at full extension with all joints moving simultaneously in complimentary directions. This speed is the theoretical maximum and should under no circumstances be used to estimate cycle time for a particular application. A better measure of real world speed is the standard twelve inch pick and place cycle time. For critical applications, the best indicator of achievable cycle time is a physical simulation.

Servo controlled means controlled by a driving signal which is determined by the error between the mechanism's present position and the desired output position.

Via point is a point through which the robot's tool should pass without stopping; via points are programmed in order to move beyond obstacles or to bring the arm into a lower inertia posture for part of the motion.

Work envelope is a three-dimensional shape that defines the boundaries that the robot manipulator can reach; also known as reach envelope.

EXERCISE2

Learn the following words and expressions. 

articulatedrobot -	суставный робот, робот с шарнирными сочленениями, шарнирный робот
endeffector -	рабочий орган; захватное устройство (робота); конечное звено
robotgripper-	схват робота; захватное устройство робота
manipulatorarm -	рука манипулятора; манипулятор
encoderresolution -	разрешающая способность датчика
complimentary -	свободный, вольный, независимый
via point -	промежуточнаяточка
work envelope -	рабочаязона
rotaryjoint -	вращающееся соединение
reach envelope	зона досягаемости
obstacle ['ɔbstəkl] –	препятствие
toolcenter-point -	центр инструмента (базовая точка для программирования движений робота)
drive ratio -	передаточноечисло
increment-	приращение; увеличение
precision[prɪ'sɪʒ(ə)n]-	точность; чёткость, аккуратность; правильность
payload ['peɪləud]	полезная нагрузка; грузоподъёмность

EXERCISE 3

Divide the text into logic parts. Title each part.

EXERCISE 4

Find in the text description of an articulated robot. Say, what kind of information from the text could be interesting to an engineer.

EXERCISE 5

Express your attitude to the robots described. Could you use any ideas from this text in your diploma project?

EXERCISE 6

What do you know about cooperation of your university with industrial enterprises in the city?

EXERCISE 7

Make up a short summary of the text.

UNIT V

MILITARY ROBOTS

EXERCISE 1

Read and translate the text.

Military robots are autonomous robots or remote-controlled devices designed for military ch systems are currently being researched by a number of militaries.

Military robots date back to World War II and the Cold War in the form of the German Goliath tracked mines and the Soviet teletanks. The use of robots in warfare, although traditionally a topic for science fiction, is being researched as a possible future means of fighting wars. Already several military robots have been developed by various armies.

Some believe the future of modern warfare will be fought by automated weapons systems. The U. S. Military is investing heavily in research and development towards testing and deploying increasingly automated systems. The most prominent system currently in use is the unmanned aerial vehicle1 which can be armed with air-to-ground missiles and remotely operated from a command center in reconnaissance roles. The field artillery has also seen some promising research with an experimental weapons system named "Dragon Fire II" which automates the loading and ballistics calculations required for accurate predicted fire, providing a 12 second response time to artillery support requests. However, weapons of warfare have one limitation in becoming fully autonomous: there remain intervention points which require human input to ensure that targets are not within restricted fire areas as defined by Geneva Conventions for the laws of war.

The use of autonomous fighters and bombers to destroy enemy targets is especially promising because of the lack of training required for robotic pilots, autonomous planes are capable of performing maneuvers which could not be done with human pilots, plane designs do not require a life support system, and a loss of a plane does not mean a loss of a pilot. However, the largest drawback to robotics is their inability to accommodate for non-standard conditions. Advances in artificial intelligence in the near future may help to rectify this.

Here are some examples in development. US research company Mechatronics has produced a working automated sentry gun and is currently developing it further for commercial and military use.

A four-wheeled robot outfitted with several cameras, radar, and possibly a firearm automatically performs random or preprogrammed patrols around a military base or other government installation and alerts a human overseer when it detects movement in unauthorized areas. The operator can then instruct the robot to ignore the event, or take over remote control to deal with an intruder, or to get better camera views of an emergency.

Autonomous Sniper System is an experimental robotic weapons system being developed by the U. S. Army since 2005. It consists of a remotely operated sniper rifle attached to an unmanned autonomous helicopter. It is intended for use in urban combat or for several other missions requiring snipers. Flight tests began in Summer 2009.

Speaking about potential risks it seems aptly to present here some doubts about advantages of military robots. In 2009, technical experts attended a conference to discuss hypothetical possibility that robots and computers could become self-sufficient and able to make their own decisions. They noted that some robots have acquired various forms of semi-autonomy, including being able to find power sources on their own and being able to independently choose targets to attack with weapons. They also noted that some computer viruses can evade elimination and have achieved "cockroach intelligence." They noted that there were other potential hazards and pitfalls.

Some experts have questioned the use of robots for military combat, especially when such robots are given some degree of autonomous functions. The US Navy has funded a report which indicates that as military robots become more complex, there should be greater attention to implications of their ability to make autonomous decisions.

Notes to the text

1An unmanned aerial vehicle, also known as a unmanned aircraft system, remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator, or pilot (called a Combat Systems Officer ) or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity.

EXERCISE2

Words and expressions to be remembered:

warfare ['wɔ’fɛə]- война; приёмы ведения войны	fieldartillery ['fildɑ'tɪl(ə)rɪ] ; (лёгкая) полевая артиллерия
reconnaissance [rɪ'kɔnɪs(ə)n(t)s]  разведка, расследование; поиск, рекогносцировка	responsetime - быстродействие; время реакции; время реагирования; время срабатывания
maneuver [mə'nuvə]- манипулировать; маневрировать	rectify ['rektɪfaɪ] – исправлять, поправлять (ситуацию, положение дел)
overseer ['əuvəˌsiːə] – инспектор,  дежурный оператор	toalert - предупреждать (об опасности)
sniper ['snaɪpə] - меткий стрелок, снайпер	evade[ɪ'veɪd]-ускользать, избегать, уклоняться
AutonomousSniperSystem - беспилотная летающая снайперская система

EXERCISE3

Find the Russian equivalents to the following word combinations: