This robot uses optical encoders to 1) measure how far it has traveled, 2) measure the speed of the transmission, and 3) tell the robot when to shift gears. Information from the encoder is fed into the Robot Controller where algorithms compute data giving us data we can use to control the robot.

    Click here to watch a video of an early prototype using encoders to "auto-correct" itself without a human operator.

   Potentiometers, also known as variable resistors, are attached to the two joints of the arm. With potentiometers, we we can program the arm to go to preset positions automatically.