from Begin Robotics – University of Reading

• Controller – A device which forms part of a control system – often taking the error between the desired state and the actual state and generating data used to affect an actuator.
• Force Feedback – A method whereby a sensor conveys to the user the force felt when touching an object.
• Fuzzy Logic – A form of logic which deals with approximate values, as opposed to logic signals which are true or false only.

• Error – In a control system, the difference between the desired state and the actual state.
• Excitatory – connection between neurons which enhances action (as used in Neural Networks and Braitenberg vehicles).
• Feedback – The process of returning information about the output of a system.
• Feedback Loop – A circular path along which information is passed.

• Assembly robot – A robot used typically in a production line manufacturing (e.g. cars).
• Autonomous robot – A robot which works on its own, as opposed to being controlled by a human.

That’s engineering

• Proportional Control – A strategy where the controller outputs a value which is the error multiplied by a constant (is proportional to the error).
• Touch sensor – A sensor which measures some aspect of the physical contact with an object.
• Vision Sensor – A device which gives a visual representation of something – typically from a camera.
• Integral control – A method used in Feedback Control where the output of the controller depends on its input (typically the error) and previous values of its output.
• Gain – The size of the output of an element divided by its input – in a Proportional Controller, its output is the error * the gain.