Level 0 — Robotics Zero
What robotics really is
Robotics Zero defines the foundations of classical robotics. This level is not about building or programming yet — it is about understanding what a robot is as an engineering system.
Without this level, all further work turns into blind assembly. With this level, every mechanical, electrical, and logical decision becomes intentional and explainable.
What is a robot
A robot is a physical system that:
- interacts with the real world through actuators
- receives information through sensors
- processes signals using deterministic logic
- changes its state based on feedback
A robot is not defined by autonomy, intelligence, or learning. It is defined by closed-loop control.
Robot vs Automation
- Automation executes predefined actions without feedback
- Robotics reacts to the environment using sensor feedback
- Automation follows scripts
- Robotics operates systems
System thinking
Every robot can be represented as a system with inputs and outputs:
- Inputs — sensor signals
- Processing — logic and control laws
- Outputs — actuator commands
- Feedback — comparison between desired and actual state
This structure remains the same for all robots — from simple line followers to industrial manipulators.
Degrees of freedom
Degrees of freedom describe how many independent movements a robot can perform. Each motorized axis adds one degree of freedom.
Understanding degrees of freedom is critical for:
- mechanical design
- control complexity
- navigation and manipulation
Why there is no AI here
This course focuses on classical robotics. Artificial intelligence introduces probabilistic behavior and abstraction layers that hide system dynamics.
Here, every action must be:
- deterministic
- predictable
- explainable
- reproducible
Next: Level 1 — Mechanical Structure