Designing of Service Robot for Home Automation Implementation

"Home Automation" industry is growing rapidly. Home Automation is a way to have things around your home happen automatically. The first thing that comes to mind when folks think of home automation are robots, flashing lights, complicated electronics and a general feeling that their home is less of a warm home and more of a cold science experiment. Home automation systems must comply with the household standards and convenience of usage. The term 'Home Automation' today applies to the next level of automating home electronics. The home automation system is intended to control all lights and electrical appliances in a home or office using voice commands. A Robot is a reprogrammable, multi functional manipulator designed to move material, parts, tools, or a specialized devices through variable programmed motions for the performance of variety of tasks. In order to make a robot do anything it has to have a program or a set of programs that tell it to do certain tasks. Robots come in all different shapes and sizes. Some robots have been used to try and look and behave physically like a human being. Other robots are used for home entertainments. In this paper many appliances of Home are followed and automated by Service Robot.  Robot, Home Automation, ZigBee, EasyVR, AVR AT Mega 16. I. HOME AUTOMATION Home automation is a method of controlling home appliances automatically for the convenience of users. This technology makes life easier for the user, and saves energy by utilizing devices according to strict requirements. Controls can be as basic as dimming lights with a remote or as complex as setting up a network of items in the home that can be programmed using a main controller or even via cell phone from anywhere in the world. A home automation system can involve switching off electrical appliances like air conditioners or refrigerators when a desired temperature has been reached, then switching on again when the temperature has crossed a certain value. A home automation system can also be used to secure a house from burglars by sending alerts to the nearest police station and the homeowner in case a trespasser is sensed. Apart from algorithmic automation, devices can be controlled by the user to suit personal requirements using direct buttons, cell phones, the internet, or infrared remotes. A network of appliances and sensors can interact with each other and make decisions for operation. The different Tasks of Home Automations are as follows 1. HVAC Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) solutions include temperature and humidity control. This is generally one of the most important aspects to a homeowner. An Internet controlled thermostat, for example, can both save money and help the environment, by allowing the homeowner to control the building's heating and air conditioning systems remotely [7] 2. Lighting Lighting control systems can be used to control household electric lights in a variety of ways:  Extinguish all the lights of the house Replace manual switching with Automation of on and off signals for any or all lights Regulation of electric illumination levels according to the level of ambient light available Change the ambient color of lighting via control of LEDs or electronic dimmers. 3. Audio This category includes audio switching and distribution. Audio switching determines the selection of an audio source. Audio distribution allows an audio source to be heard in one or more rooms. This feature is often referred to as 'multi zone' audio [7] 4. Video This includes video switching and distribution, allowing a video source to be viewed on multiple TVs. This feature is often referred to as 'multi zone' video. Integration of the intercom to the telephone or of the video door entry system to the television set, allowing the residents to view the door camera automatically [7] 5. Security With Home Automation, the consumer can select and watch cameras live from an Internet source to their home or business. Security cameras can be controlled, allowing the user to observe activity around a house or business right from a Monitor or touch panel. Security systems can include motion sensors that will detect any kind of unauthorized movement and notify the user through the security system or via cell phone [7]  Ms Vaishali Wagh, Prof Kanchan Pujari 6. Intercoms An intercom system allows communication via a microphone and speakers between multiple rooms [7] Ubiquity in the external control as much as internal, remote control from the Internet, PC, wireless controls (e.g. PDA with Wi Fi) electrical equipment. Transmission of alarms. Intercommunications. II.  A robot can be defined as a programmable, self controlled device consisting of electronic, electrical, or mechanical units. Robots are especially desirable for certain work functions because, unlike humans, they never get tired; they can endure physical conditions that are uncomfortable or even dangerous; they can operate in airless conditions; they do not get bored by repetition; and they cannot be distracted from the task at hand. A robot can include any of the following components: effectors "arms" "legs" "hands" "feet" sensors parts that act like senses and can detect objects or things like heat and light and convert the object information into symbols that computers understand computer the brain that contains instructions called algorithms to control the robot equipment this includes tools and mechanical fixtures The different Types of Robots are as follows 1. Industrial Robots Industrial robots are robots used in an industrial manufacturing environment. Usually these are articulated arms specifically developed for such applications as welding, material handling, painting and others. If we judge purely by application this type could also include some automated guided vehicles and other robots. 2. Domestic or Household Robots Robots used at home. This type of robots includes many quite different devices such as robotic vacuum cleaners, robotic pool cleaners, sweepers, gutter cleaners and other robots that can do different chores. Also, some surveillance and telepresence robots could be regarded as household robots if used in that environment. 3. Medical Robots Robots used in medicine and medical institutions. First and foremost surgery robots. Also, some automated guided vehicles and maybe lifting aides. 4. Service Robots Robots that don't fall into other types by usage. These could be different data gathering robots, robots made to show off technologies, robots used for research etc. Service Robot is also called as Line Follower Robot. 5. Military Robots Robots used in military. This type of robots includes bomb disposal robots, different transportation robots, reconnaissance drones. Often robots initially created for military purposes can be used in law enforcement, search and rescue and other related fields. 6. Entertainment Robots These are robots used for entertainment. This is a very broad category. It starts with toy robots such as the running alarm clock and ends with real heavyweights such as articulated robot arms used as motion simulators. 7. Space Robots I'd like to single out robots used in space as a separate type. This type would include robots used on the International Space Station, Canadarm that was used in Shuttles, as well as Mars rovers and other robots used in space. 8. Hobby and competition Robots Robots that you create. Line followers, sumo bots, robots made just for fun and robots made for competition. III. SERVICE ROBOT Service Robot is also called as Line Follower Robot. Let us see how the Line Follower Robot works. First see the block diagrams. Fig 1 Service Robot Block Diagram An array of sensor is used to detect the line. Based on the status of sensors, special circuit or controller decides the position of line and also the required direction of motion required to follow the line. Motor driver circuit is used to ON/OFF the LEFT/RIGHT motors of the robot to provide desired motion.