AEP 2026: IoT in Robotics Class 2

The video provides an introduction to the Internet of Things, IoT, and its application in robotics. It emphasizes that the course aims to provide foundational knowledge over six weeks using simulators rather than physical hardware. Core Concept: IoT Definition The Four Criteria: For a device to be considered part of an IoT ecosystem, it must satisfy four requirements: 1. Identity: The device must be uniquely identifiable on a network. 2. Sensing: It must be able to collect information about itself or its environment. 3. Connectivity: It must be able to communicate over a network. 4. Purpose: Something must act upon the data collected. The Operational Loop: Every IoT device functions through three steps: Sense, collecting data; Decide, processing the information; and Act, executing a command. IoT in Robotics Robotics is highlighted as a complex field within IoT because robots act on the physical world, creating the possibility of damage if sensors fail or if the device behaves unpredictably. Different classifications include: IoT: Primarily consumer-focused, such as home automation. Industrial IoT, IIoT: Connecting manufacturing machines and assembly lines. Internet of Robotic Things: Combines IoT with mobility, covering systems such as smart cities, driverless cars, and various assistants. Common Misconceptions “If it has an app, it is IoT”: Apps alone do not satisfy the four required criteria of identity, sensing, purpose, and connectivity. “IoT means Cloud”: IoT can operate through local edge computing or mesh networks without relying on the cloud. Cloud computing is essentially renting computing power, which can be done on local servers or personal devices. “IoT is just about sensors”: Sensors are only one layer. IoT also requires transportation through networking, processing, decision-making, and actuation. Managing Latency and Computing To address latency concerns in time-sensitive robotics applications, such as teleoperation, the speaker explains that computing should be distributed across five levels: Cloud, Regional, Edge, Extreme Edge, and Device. To reduce latency, the system should prioritize processing tasks on the device itself or the nearest possible edge level rather than sending all data to a distant cloud server. Practical Application The speaker demonstrated using the Wokwi simulator to build a simple circuit with an ESP32 microcontroller, a potentiometer as the input, and an LED as the output. The code logic involved reading an analog value, comparing it against a set threshold to make a decision, and toggling the LED state.