Robotic Glossary
Nano - A unit or measurement, one billionth
of something.
Nonmonotonic logic - A kind of default reasoning,
based on raules which can changed given new input.
Object-oriented Programming - The use of statements
and procedures to represent knowledge.
Open source - Computer code that is not copyrighted
by an organization or an individual; such as Linux.
Paradigm - An example of model.
Parsing - The process of breaking down a character
string of natural language or computer language into
its component parts so it can be readily analyzed and
interpreted.
Pixel- A picture element of an image on a television
screen, computer monitor, or similar display
Positronic - A fictional term used by Isaac Asimov
to describe a particle-driven operating system within
robots' brains.
Processor-A program that translates another program
into a form acceptable by the computer being used
Radio Control - In robotics, the means of sending
simple commands to a remote device by use of a radio
signal.
Real Time Computing - Processing that occurs
fast enough to appear simultaneous or keeping up with
other operations.
Remote Control-Controlling a device from a distance,
either by signals sent through a wire or by a radio
signal.
Robot -A mechanical device that sometimes resembles
a human and is capable of performing a variety of often
complex human tasks on command in place of a human being.
It is derived from the Czech word robota.
Robotics - The science of developing and using
robots.
Schema -A data structure for knowledge representation.
Scripts- A form of schema used for describing
common sequences of events.
Sensors -A device that receives and responds
to a signal or stimulus, such as a change in heat, light,
sound, pressure, etc.
Servo -A variable speed motor, relational to
electrical input
Simulation - In robotics, the process of representing
an event or object in mathematical terms and building
a copy of it in experimental testing.
Slot - A sub-element of a schema.
Smart Motors - A smrt motor has controllers that
allow instantaneous stopping or starting as well as
incremental rotation.
Teleoperator- In robotics a device that is operated
by a human that copies the human's actions.
Transducer -A device that converts input energy
of one form into output energy of another.
Transistor - A small electronic device containing
a semiconductor and having at least three electrical
contacts amplifies or switches electrical signals.
UBS Port - An acronym for Universal Serial Bus
which is an interface that can receive and send data
at a very high speed.
Voice Activation - System for turning sound
waves into electrical signals using the frequency of
a human voice.
Voice Recognition - In robotics, the system that
allows a robot to recognize characteristic speech patterns.
