How are actuators and sensors transforming the field of robotics and automation in ways that weren't possible a decade ago? by NISA MAKSIM

nmaksim1 — 2025-10-22 15:15:17 UTC

The development of soft actuators and flexible sensors has revolutionized robotic surgery, allowing robots to perform delicate procedures with unprecedented precision and adaptability. These advances enable minimally invasive surgeries that were too risky or impossible with rigid traditional systems.

2025-10-22 15:25:33 UTC

Jayman Campbell, One idea are group had was to use a rfid sensor to trigger are piston.

2025-10-22 15:30:23 UTC

( Josue ) one idea my group had is to use a sensor to connect with a button or a card, so when we click it and it would trigger the piston. rfid sensor

2025-10-22 15:33:59 UTC

(Karson) My idea was to have an IR remote with a button to launch the catapult.

Simply allows someone to be able to not have to go next to the catapult in order to launch it, saving time and physical effort, plus being safer, since if the catapult fails, the risk of injury (and a hefty lawsuit) is avoided.

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As for how sensors have changed automation, accelerometers have changed how cars detect when their engines are knocking by measuring the vibrations of the engine. Previously, some people are completely unaware of engine vibrations and would not know something is wrong with their car until it is too late. Now, thanks to accelerometers making it into nearly every car, the process of knowing when the engine is knocking has been automated, and lets the consumer know that the car is functioning improperly before things go too far south

nmaksim1 — 2025-10-22 15:36:37 UTC

RFID sensor can work with Arduino very well.

It is operated at 3.3 V that means we will need 2 separated power source to run 12V solenoid.

2025-10-22 15:40:03 UTC

I chose a proximity sensor for my automation project because it allows the system to detect nearby objects or people without physical contact. It’s quick, reliable, and helps create touchless interactions, making the system more hygienic and user-friendly. Plus, it’s versatile and easy to use for various automation tasks.(blake)

2025-10-22 15:43:02 UTC

(ryder) i chose the sound sensor this way when you make the noise you programed it to remember it will make the machine launch the object and the sound censor works by converting sound waves into electrical signals telling it what to do using the microphone

2025-10-22 15:44:07 UTC

(kyler)

I choose a Pulse oximeter, a bluetooth chip will be on the Trebuchet and the pulse oximeter will be on the dog watching the dogs pulse to a healthy point if the dog is overworking itself the machine will no longer throw the ball recognizing on the hearts bpm

2025-10-22 15:50:16 UTC

For our project our group could even use a touch sensor. Although it requires manual activation through the touch sensor, this extra step allows for more safety measures. For instance, a motion/proximity sensor could go off when motion is sensed even if it’s not intended, but if it were a touch the user would have to manually activate it.

2025-10-22 18:55:49 UTC

After five LONG minute's, I had finally came to the conclusion that a vibration sensor would work best for me. Though it could be hard to program, the benefits outshine the cons. With vibration sensor's, you can create a sequence of rounds to perform off of. That being said, I can choose my firing rate of the machine, and the sensitivity, so it works just right for my group and I.

2025-10-22 18:59:12 UTC

I chose motion sensor because I think it is the easiest to use, the motion sensor allows us to detect motion wether a human has moved in or out of the sensors range they are small inexpensive low power easy to use, and they don’t wear out. Also they are used in gadgets, homes and businesses. And they are often referred to as PIR passive infrared pyroelectric

2025-10-22 18:59:37 UTC

I think using a load/weight sensor would work really well for our project. If we design the board to activate the trebuchet a few seconds after the weight of the basket increases. It will automatically fire with all you needing to do is put something heavy enough in the basket. This means you could also rapid fire objects immediately after each other with very little setup.

2025-10-22 19:03:45 UTC

(Chris) I think a proximity sensor would work best because it you had a dog for say, when the dog gets close the proximity sensor would trigger, and if you add a timer for the proximity sensor after triggered it would allow the dog to get out of the way when the ball is launched.

2025-10-23 19:03:50 UTC

For my catapult i am going to us a hall effect sensor. I will use the hall effect sensor to detect when the ball is placed in the catapult by putting a small magnet in the ball. So when the dog brings the ball to the catapult the hall effect sensor will be triggered by the magnet in the ball. The catapult will be set at a delay so the dog can get out of the way.

422783_2 — 2025-10-23 19:08:40 UTC

I choose a load cell sensor because for our catapult i think it will be perfect as it measures and acts once a certain weight/ force is applied to the catapults basket. There is a voltage signal monitored by a control system that we will program and add our code to, so once the force of the weight is applied the system will automatically release the swing arm.

-Ang and Roman

2025-10-23 19:12:18 UTC

I chose the weight sensor because it senses and sends electrical signals based on the amount of weight received. This sensor could work for the catapult because when an item is placed on the cup it could measure the weight of the object on the cup and fire off at a speed based on the weight on the cup, being ablet to launch at different speeds based on weight

2025-10-23 19:21:32 UTC

I chose an alchahol sensor because i beleive it would work for the system trebuchet very well. A person would breathe on it and it would trigger but if the breath blown on it had alchahol in it, it would not work. This is really good because not only could your dog just breath on the system for the ball to be thrown but a drunk dog would not be able to activate the system.

2025-10-23 19:24:41 UTC

For my trebuchet i chose a touch sensor. I think the touch sensor would work best because it would give the user time to reload the trebuchet without being hit by the object that is being thrown. Even though a touch sensor uses manual activation this would be more safe compared to remote activation (like a motion sensor) because remote activation could fail and cause the machine to go off where the touch sensor needs to be touched for the machine to go off.

422908_1 — 2025-10-23 19:26:01 UTC

(Bryan) I determined that the Load sensor will be best for the catapult because when it is in the loading basket it will detect the projectile and send the signal to the solenoid and launch after I put a delay before it launches. The primary function of the load sensor is an electronic device that converts tension and compression forces into a corresponding electrical signal. Load sensors are generally used to determine the weight of an object. they all measure resistance and/or deformation within the sensor to determine the magnitude of tension and compression forces.

3924222 — 2025-10-23 19:39:06 UTC

A small pressure sensor, as shown, is revolutionary for small electronics, with both it's cheapness, as well as its size. I think it would great, paired with a delay, for an automated version of the catapult. My group could set it in the basket of the catapult, wired to the board, program a short delay of 5 or so seconds, and then it would throw it, once the weight of the ball is detected.

422666_1 — 2025-11-05 20:32:49 UTC

I think a sound sensor is useful for an automated catapult because it allows hands-free control — you can trigger it with a clap, whistle, or other loud sound. It responds quickly and is simple and inexpensive to set up. However, it can also pick up unwanted noises and cause false triggers. To make it more reliable, you can program it to detect specific sound patterns or combine it with another safety sensor. Overall, it’s an easy and effective way to activate the catapult without touching it directly.