Page 135 - Concise Encyclopedia of Robotics

Futurist
First, the logic AND operation is performed on X and Y. Then the logic
OR operation is performed between (X AND Y) and the variable Z. Some
logic functions have dozens of input variables; there is only one output
value, however, for each combination of inputs.
Function: example of a logic function
f (X,Y, Z)
Z
Y
X An example of a logic function in three variables is shown in the table.
0 0 0 0
0 0 1 1
0 1 0 0
0 1 1 1
1 0 0 0
1 0 1 1
1 1 0 1
1 1 1 1
Logic functions are important to engineers in the design of digital
circuits, including computers. Often, there are several different possible
combinations of logic gates that will generate a given logic function. The
engineer’s job is to find the simplest and most efficient design.
See also LOGIC GATE.
The term function, or more specifically intended function, is often used in
reference to the set of tasks or routines that a robotic device or controller is
designed to perform or execute.This definition is completely independent
of the mathematical and logical definitions.
The mathematical equation, or set of equations, that represents a
signal waveform is sometimes called a function. A function generator is
a specialized circuit that generates waveforms whose curves are the
graphs of specific mathematical functions. See GENERATOR.
FUNCTION GENERATOR
See GENERATOR.
FUTURIST
A futurist is a person who tries to predict, based on current technology
and trends, what will be accomplished in a given scientific field in 5, 10,
50, 100, or more years. In robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), there is
plenty of work for futurists.

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