Fundamentals of Robotics — MCQs – EE

1. The word “robot” is derived from a Czech word meaning:
(A) Machine
(B) Forced labor or work
(C) Intelligence
(D) Automation

2. The father of robotics is often considered to be:
(A) Isaac Asimov
(B) Joseph Engelberger
(C) Nikola Tesla
(D) Thomas Edison

3. The first industrial robot was named:
(A) Asimo
(B) Unimate
(C) Shakey
(D) Sophia

4. The main function of a robot manipulator is to:
(A) Process information
(B) Move and position objects
(C) Store data
(D) Convert energy

5. The three basic parts of a robot are:
(A) Controller, manipulator, and end effector
(B) Motor, gear, and shaft
(C) Sensor, valve, and circuit
(D) Processor, battery, and wire

6. The end effector of a robot acts as its:
(A) Hand or tool
(B) Brain
(C) Controller
(D) Sensor

7. The degree of freedom (DOF) in robotics represents:
(A) The number of independent motions possible
(B) The number of sensors used
(C) The robot’s power rating
(D) The type of control system

8. The controller in a robot serves as:
(A) The brain of the robot
(B) The power source
(C) The arm structure
(D) The joint mechanism

9. A robot actuator converts:
(A) Electrical or fluid energy into motion
(B) Data into signals
(C) Motion into power
(D) Energy into data

10. The work envelope of a robot is the:
(A) 3D space within which it can operate
(B) Volume of its control cabinet
(C) Weight of the robot arm
(D) Power limit

11. The manipulator of a robot is also known as its:
(A) Arm
(B) Controller
(C) Sensor
(D) Power source

12. Repeatability in a robot defines its:
(A) Ability to return to a specific point consistently
(B) Maximum speed
(C) Accuracy
(D) Payload

13. The accuracy of a robot is the:
(A) Closeness of its position to the desired target
(B) Time taken to complete a task
(C) Strength of its actuator
(D) Number of DOF

14. A sensor in a robot provides:
(A) Information about internal and external conditions
(B) Motion to the manipulator
(C) Control signals to the actuator
(D) Power to the controller

15. Servo motors are widely used in robots because they:
(A) Offer precise control of angular position and speed
(B) Are cheaper than stepper motors
(C) Work without control feedback
(D) Use less power

16. The kinematics of a robot deals with:
(A) Motion of links and joints without considering forces
(B) Force and torque analysis
(C) Control algorithms
(D) Electrical circuits

17. The dynamics of a robot involves:
(A) Forces and torques causing motion
(B) Sensor calibration
(C) Electric feedback
(D) Path programming

18. The payload of a robot is:
(A) The maximum load it can carry
(B) The robot’s total weight
(C) The controller’s processing capacity
(D) The actuator’s torque

19. A Cartesian robot has motion along:
(A) Three perpendicular linear axes (X, Y, Z)
(B) Circular paths
(C) Spherical coordinates
(D) Cylindrical coordinates

20. A cylindrical robot has motion along:
(A) Radial, vertical, and rotational axes
(B) Only linear axes
(C) Circular path
(D) Random path

21. A spherical robot operates within:
(A) A spherical workspace
(B) A rectangular workspace
(C) A linear workspace
(D) A cylindrical workspace

22. A SCARA robot is best suited for:
(A) Assembly and pick-and-place operations
(B) Heavy lifting
(C) Underwater welding
(D) Painting large surfaces

23. A revolute joint in a robot provides:
(A) Rotational motion
(B) Linear motion
(C) Vibration control
(D) Damping

24. A prismatic joint provides:
(A) Linear motion along one axis
(B) Rotational motion
(C) Combined motion
(D) Random movement

25. The teach pendant in robotics is used to:
(A) Program and control robot movement manually
(B) Power the robot
(C) Tune sensors
(D) Store data

26. Path control ensures that:
(A) The end effector follows a specified trajectory
(B) The robot remains stationary
(C) The control program runs continuously
(D) The speed remains constant only

27. The work cell in robotics refers to:
(A) The area containing the robot, fixtures, and associated equipment
(B) The robot controller only
(C) The actuator assembly
(D) The operator’s desk

28. Forward kinematics determines:
(A) The position and orientation of the end effector from joint parameters
(B) The required joint angles for a desired position
(C) The torque on each joint
(D) The speed of each actuator

29. Inverse kinematics is used to:
(A) Calculate joint parameters for a desired end-effector position
(B) Determine the workspace
(C) Measure torque
(D) Control the actuator voltage

30. Trajectory planning in robotics refers to:
(A) Designing the motion path over time
(B) Calculating motor torque
(C) Sensing obstacles
(D) Measuring temperature

31. The main advantage of robotics in industry is:
(A) Improved precision, speed, and safety
(B) Increased human effort
(C) Higher maintenance only
(D) Decreased efficiency

32. End-of-arm tooling (EOAT) refers to:
(A) Devices attached to the robot’s wrist for specific tasks
(B) The robot base
(C) The power cable
(D) The controller housing

33. The gripper is an example of a:
(A) End effector
(B) Actuator
(C) Sensor
(D) Controller

34. A mobile robot differs from an industrial robot because it:
(A) Moves around the environment
(B) Has no actuators
(C) Uses fixed joints only
(D) Is controlled manually

35. The artificial intelligence (AI) in robotics is used to:
(A) Enable learning, adaptation, and decision-making
(B) Replace sensors
(C) Eliminate motion control
(D) Reduce automation