Page 330 - Concise Encyclopedia of Robotics

Tethered Robot
robots to the scene. These robots can determine the source and nature of
the problem, and take action.
See also FIRE-PROTECTION ROBOT, THERMISTOR, and THERMOCOUPLE.
TETHERED ROBOT
A tethered robot is a semimobile robot that receives its commands from,
and transmits its data to,the controller through a cable.The cable can be of
the “copper” variety, which transmits electrical signals, or the fiber-optic
variety, which transmits infrared (IR) or visible-light signals. The cable
serves the dual purpose of transmitting data and keeping the machine
from wandering outside a prescribed work environment.
Tethered robots are used in scenarios where wireless modes are im-
practical or difficult to use. A good example is submarine observation,
particularly the exploration of underwater caverns or shipwrecks.
See also FLYING EYEBALL.
TEXTURE SENSING
Texture sensing is the ability of a robot end effector to ascertain the
smoothness or roughness of a surface. Primitive texture sensing can be
done with a laser and several light-sensitive sensors.
= Laser
= Sensor

Shiny surface Matte surface
Texture sensing

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