I. Robot Classification
A general robot refers to a robot that does not possess intelligence but only has general programming capabilities and operational functions.
There is no universally accepted definition of intelligent robots. Most experts believe that an intelligent robot must possess at least three elements: first, sensory elements for recognizing the state of its surroundings; second, a kinematic element for reacting to external stimuli; and third, a cognitive element that uses information from the sensory elements to determine actions. Sensory elements include non-contact sensors that can perceive vision, proximity, distance, etc., and contact sensors that can perceive force, pressure, and touch. These elements are essentially equivalent to the five human senses: eyes, nose, ears, etc. Their functions can be achieved using electromechanical devices such as cameras, image sensors, ultrasonic transducers, lasers, conductive rubber, piezoelectric elements, pneumatic elements, and limit switches. For the kinematic element, intelligent robots require a trackless movement mechanism to adapt to different geographical environments such as flat ground, steps, walls, stairs, and ramps. Their functions can be accomplished using movement mechanisms such as wheels, tracks, feet, suction cups, and air cushions. Real-time control of the kinematic mechanism is required during movement. This control includes not only position control but also force control, position-force hybrid control, and expansion rate control. The cognitive element is crucial among the three essential components of intelligent robots, and it is also an essential element that people want to endow robots with. The cognitive element includes intellectual activities such as judgment, logical analysis, and comprehension. These intellectual activities are essentially an information processing process, and computers are the primary means of accomplishing this process.
II. Classification of Intelligent Robots
Intelligent robots can be divided into three types based on their level of intelligence:
(1) Sensor type
Also known as a controlled robot. This type of robot lacks intelligent units on its body, possessing only actuators and sensing mechanisms. It has the ability to process sensor information (including vision, hearing, touch, proximity, force, and infrared, ultrasonic, and laser light) to achieve control and operation. It is controlled by an external computer, which contains an intelligent processing unit that processes the various information collected by the controlled robot and its various postures and trajectories, then issues control commands to direct the robot's actions. The robots used in the RoboCup group stage belong to this category.
(2) Interactive
The robot communicates with the operator or programmer through a computer system to control and operate it. Although it has some processing and decision-making capabilities and can independently perform functions such as trajectory planning and simple obstacle avoidance, it is still subject to external control.
(3) Autonomous
Robots, designed and manufactured to automatically complete various human-like tasks in diverse environments without human intervention, are autonomous robots. These robots possess modules for perception, processing, decision-making, and execution, enabling them to move and handle problems autonomously, much like autonomous humans. Robots used in medium-sized competitions at the RoboCup fall into this category. The most important characteristics of fully autonomous mobile robots are their autonomy and adaptability. Autonomy means they can perform tasks completely autonomously within a given environment without relying on any external control. Adaptability refers to their ability to identify and measure surrounding objects in real time, adjust their parameters according to environmental changes, modify their action strategies, and handle unexpected events. Interactivity is also a crucial feature of autonomous robots. They can exchange information with humans, the external environment, and other robots. Because fully autonomous mobile robots involve research in multiple areas such as drive control, sensor data fusion, image processing, pattern recognition, and neural networks, they comprehensively reflect a country's manufacturing and artificial intelligence capabilities. Therefore, many countries place great importance on research into fully autonomous mobile robots.
Research on intelligent robots began in the early 1960s. After decades of development, perception-based control intelligent robots have entered the practical application stage. Knowledge-based control intelligent robots have also entered the practical application stage. The first generation of robots has also made significant progress, with various prototypes developed.
