Robotics Interview Q&A: Key Questions and Answers

This article provides a list of frequently asked questions and answers related to robotics. It’s designed to help candidates prepare for job interviews for various robotics-related positions and is also beneficial for engineering students during viva examinations.

Question 1: What is Robotics?

Answer: Robotics is a multidisciplinary field encompassing engineering and science. It focuses on the design, construction, operation, and application of robots. Robots are programmable machines capable of performing tasks autonomously or semi-autonomously, often in environments that are dangerous or impractical for humans.

Question 2: What are the Main Components of a Robot?

Answer: A typical robot consists of several key components:

• Actuators: These are the motors or other devices that provide motion to the robot.
• Sensors: These devices collect data from the robot’s environment, providing crucial feedback.
• Controller: This is the “brain” of the robot. It processes the sensor data and generates commands for the actuators.
• Power Supply: This provides the energy required to operate the robot’s components.
• End-Effector: This is the tool or device attached to the robot’s arm (or other moving part) used for performing specific tasks.

Question 3: What are the Different Types of Robots?

Answer: Robots can be classified in several ways, based on their design, application, and control mechanism. Common types include:

• Industrial Robots
• Mobile Robots
• Humanoid Robots
• Medical Robots
• Collaborative Robots (Cobots)

Question 4: Explain the Difference Between Autonomous and Teleoperated Robots.

Answer: Autonomous robots operate independently. They rely on pre-programmed instructions or algorithms, and use onboard sensors to perceive and interact with their environment. Teleoperated robots, on the other hand, are controlled remotely by a human operator, typically using a computer interface or manual controls.

Question 5: What are the Challenges in Robot Localization and Mapping?

Answer: Robot localization refers to the process of determining a robot’s position and orientation within its environment. Mapping involves creating a representation of that environment. The challenges in this area include:

• Sensor Noise
• Uncertainty
• Dynamic Environments
• The need for robust algorithms to handle complex scenarios

Question 6: What is the Significance of Kinematics in Robotics?

Answer: Kinematics is the branch of mechanics that deals with the motion of objects without considering the forces that cause the motion. In robotics, kinematics is essential for analyzing and predicting the motion of robot manipulators. This includes the position, velocity, and acceleration of individual joints and the end-effector.

Question 7: What is the Role of Sensors in Robotics?

Answer: Sensors play a crucial role in robotics by providing information about the robot’s environment. They gather data on things like distance, position, orientation, temperature, and more. Common types of sensors used in robotics include:

• Cameras
• LiDAR
• Ultrasonic Sensors
• Encoders
• Gyroscopes
• Accelerometers

Question 8: How do Robots Perceive and Interpret Their Environment?

Answer: Robots perceive their environment through sensors such as cameras, LiDAR, and proximity sensors. These sensors collect data about the surroundings. This data is then processed using algorithms for perception tasks, such as:

• Object Detection
• Recognition
• Localization
• Mapping

Question 9: What are Some Ethical Considerations in Robotics?

Answer: Ethical considerations in robotics are extremely important and include:

• Concerns about job displacement due to automation.
• Safety risks associated with autonomous systems.
• Privacy implications of surveillance robots.
• The potential for robots to be used for harmful purposes.

Designers, developers, and policymakers need to address these issues to ensure the responsible and ethical use of robotics technology.

Question 10: How Can Robots be Programmed to Perform Tasks?

Answer: Robots can be programmed using various approaches:

• Traditional programming languages such as C/C++ or Python.
• Robot-specific programming languages such as ROS (Robot Operating System).
• Behavior-based programming, where robots exhibit complex behaviors based on simple rules.
• Machine learning techniques such as reinforcement learning or neural networks, enabling robots to learn from data and adapt to new situations.