Control

As an input-output system, the robot receives information from the environment using his sensors, and moves accordingly. As such, the robot is a control system.

What is a control system? Lets take a look at the human body as an example: our body is a very complex system which requires control. For example, walking which looks so simple at first glance is a combination of:

• moving muscles - legs, hands, back, stomach
• checking balance - our body should always be above our legs
• correcting body position using the feedback

The following table compares human body to robot:

component	human body	robot
moving power	muscles	motors
actuators	legs, hands, back, stomach, etc.	axes, gears, wheels
sensors	seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching senses	distance, touch, temperature and light sensors