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Robot languages

Robotics
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
31 views

Robot languages

Robotics
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Fuculty: Engineering

Department: Mechanical Engineering

Course name: Robotics

Report name: Textual Robot Languages

Student name ID

Abdihamid mohamud abdiwahab B5_ENG_449

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1. WAVE (Waveform Assembly for Voice and Electronics)

The first textual robot language was WAVE (Waveform Assembly for Voice and Electronics),
developed in the late 1970s by the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SAIL). It was
specifically designed for programming robotic manipulators and introduced key innovations such
as spline-based motion control, enabling robots to perform smooth and precise movements.

Key Features of WAVE as the First Textual Robot Language:

1. High-Level Command Structure: Allowed users to write instructions in a more human-


readable format compared to the machine code or assembly languages used earlier.

2. Spline-Based Motion Control: WAVE used mathematical splines to define robot trajectories,
ensuring smooth and continuous motion between waypoints.

3. Task Simplification: Provided abstraction for low-level robotic controls, making it easier to
program complex tasks like welding, painting, or assembly.

4. Real-Time Adjustments: Supported interaction with sensors to adapt robot actions in real time,
which was groundbreaking for its era.

Impact on Robotics Programming

WAVE paved the way for modern robot programming languages such as VAL, AML, and RAIL
by demonstrating how high-level textual commands could be used to control robotic systems. It
marked the shift from hardware-focused programming (like assembly) to task-oriented
programming, making robot operation more accessible and versatile.

2. AML (A Manufacturing Language)


AML was developed by IBM in the 1980s for programming industrial robots and other
automated systems. It is a high-level language designed specifically for the manufacturing
environment. Its main goal was to simplify the complex task of programming robotic systems by
providing constructs tailored to manufacturing operations.
Key Features and Functions:
1. Task Management: AML allows users to program complex sequences of operations for tasks
such as assembly, inspection, and material handling.

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2. Motion Control: It provides commands to control robotic movements like positioning, path
following, and speed adjustments.
3. Machine Integration: AML supports communication with CNC machines and other industrial
devices, facilitating smooth automation.
4. Real-time Execution: AML can handle real-time adjustments based on sensory inputs, making
it suitable for dynamic environments.

Generations
2nd Generation: Transitioned from machine-level languages to high-level procedural
programming.
3rd Generation: Incorporated more abstract and task-oriented programming, improving usability
and flexibility.

2. RAIL (Robot Application Interface Language)


RAIL was developed to make robot programming accessible to non-specialists by providing a
higher level of abstraction than earlier low-level robot control languages. It gained popularity for
programming robots in industries like automotive manufacturing.

Key Features and Functions:


1. User-Friendly: Simplifies robotic path programming through an intuitive syntax.
2. Application-Specific Instructions: Provides commands tailored to industrial tasks like welding,
material handling, and painting.
3. Modular Programming: Encourages reuse of code for similar robotic tasks, reducing
programming time.
4. Integration with Sensors and I/O Devices: Allows robots to respond to external inputs during
operation.

Generations
2nd to 3rd Generation: RAIL evolved alongside advances in robotics, providing better
adaptability and ease of programming.

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3. MCL (Manipulator Control Language)
MCL is a specialized language focused on controlling robotic manipulators, which are robotic
arms used for handling materials, assembling parts, and other repetitive tasks. It provides a clear
way to define specific motions and actions for manipulators.
Key Features and Functions:
1. Motion Definition: Precise control over movement, including joint positions, speed, and
acceleration.
2. Gripper Control: Enables fine control over gripper actions, such as picking, holding, and
releasing objects.
3. Interaction with External Devices: Supports integration with conveyor belts, sensors, and other
manufacturing equipment.
4. Error Handling: Includes mechanisms for detecting and responding to errors in robotic
operations.

Generations
2nd to 3rd Generation: MCL is one of the early programming languages tailored to specific
robotic components.

4. VAL (Variable Assembly Language)


VAL was developed for programming Unimation robots, one of the first commercially available
industrial robots. It laid the foundation for modern robotic programming languages.
Key Features and Functions:
1. Basic Robot Commands: Offers simple instructions for moving the robot, controlling grippers,
and interacting with the environment.
2. Path Planning: Allows users to define robot paths with precision, including speed and
orientation.
3. External Device Control: Can send signals to and receive inputs from external devices for
coordinated operations.
4. Programming Simplicity: Easy to learn and use for repetitive assembly tasks.

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Generations
1st to 2nd Generation: VAL represents the early evolution of robotic languages, with
foundational concepts that influenced subsequent development.

5. AL (Assembly Language)
Assembly Language is a low-level programming language that directly interacts with the
machine's hardware. In robotics, AL is used for fine-grained control of hardware components,
such as motors, actuators, and sensors.
Key Features and Functions:
1. Direct Hardware Access: Provides control over robotic systems at the hardware level.
2. Fine-tuned Performance: Allows programmers to optimize operations for speed and resource
usage.
3. Instruction-Level Programming: Requires writing instructions for specific hardware
operations, offering maximum control.
4. Used for Embedded Systems: Commonly used in robotic controllers and embedded systems.

Generations
1st Generation: One of the earliest languages used in robotics, preceding the development of
higher-level languages.

6. AUTOASS (Automated Assembly Language)


AUTOASS is a specialized language for programming assembly robots. It focuses on tasks like
part placement, joining, and product assembly in industrial settings.
Key Features and Functions:
1. Automated Task Programming: Simplifies the programming of assembly-line operations.
2. Task Optimization: Includes tools for optimizing the speed and accuracy of assembly tasks.
3. Real-Time Control: Supports dynamic adjustments to robotic actions based on sensor inputs.
4. Error Recovery: Includes features to detect and correct errors during assembly.

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Generations
2nd Generation: Aimed at bridging the gap between low-level control and task-specific
programming.

7. HELP (Higher-Level Programming)


HELP refers to modern, high-level programming languages like Python, C++, and MATLAB
that are used in robotics for their simplicity and versatility. These languages abstract the
complexities of hardware control, making it easier to focus on functionality and algorithm
development.
Key Features and Functions:
1. Abstraction: Hides low-level details, allowing users to work with simple commands.
2. Rapid Development: Supports faster development cycles with built-in libraries and APIs.
3. Multi-Robot Coordination: Facilitates programming of multiple robots in synchronized
operations.
4. AI and ML Integration: Enables the use of advanced algorithms for decision-making, vision
processing, and autonomous navigation.

Generations
4th Generation and Beyond: Represents the latest advancements in robotics programming,
emphasizing ease of use and advanced capabilities.

Each of these languages has contributed to the evolution of robotics programming, providing the
tools needed to address challenges at different stages of automation and control. Let me know if
you’d like more details about any specific language!

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