Why should we learn mechanisms?

We are now entering an era where the age of "one person, one robot" is gradually approaching. Anyone can now play battle games with humanoid robots or create and enjoy their own robots using robot kits. Furthermore, with the use of household robotic vacuum cleaners, one can clean rooms and modify their programs for other purposes.

In line with this trend, there is an increasing interest in robots and the need for education like never before. We started searching for solutions to the question, "How can anyone learn about robots easily and enjoyably?" by identifying the current problems.

The field of robotics is the domain of a group of experts who integrate dozens of disciplines. It requires acquiring theoretical knowledge from various fields and gaining diverse experiences. Due to its complexity, it has limitations for ordinary individuals to approach with just interest and curiosity. Especially, understanding and designing the power transmission process in the mechanical components, which occupies a significant proportion in robot design, is not an easy task.

Everything that moves and operates in the world can be a subject of exploration. When we closely examine mechanisms, devices, toys, machines, and robots, we can see that they involve the combination of various components to achieve specific movements. No matter how complex the structure and movement of a robot may be, it can be considered as a combination of simple mechanical elements and mechanisms. Therefore, to understand moving objects, basic knowledge of mechanisms is essential. Mechanism is defined as follows:

Mechanism = Structure of a machine, organization composed mechanically = How an object operates

Firstly, I would like to discuss two reasons why it is necessary to learn various mechanisms accurately.

First, by understanding various mechanisms precisely, we can learn that real-world objects operate creatively and scientifically.

There are countless mechanisms in the real world. Most mechanisms are too complex for humans to conceive, ranging from those that cannot be easily imagined to seemingly simple ones that are still difficult to conceive. As a result, most inventions of mechanisms that did not exist before, along with their applications, have received patent recognition. The reason why we find mechanisms difficult is that they were invented with a high level of creativity. Therefore, by learning and understanding various mechanisms, we can develop the ability to think creatively and scientifically. This allows us to learn robotics easily and enjoyably.

Second, by knowing various mechanisms, we can select suitable components, implement necessary movements, and choose, combine, and apply mechanisms in a rational and efficient manner in situations we encounter.

When creating a robot, the first consideration is to make it move. However, designing the structure of a robot to use specific components and achieve desired movements is extremely challenging without a basic understanding of mechanisms. Therefore, through the process of learning and understanding various mechanisms, we can acquire knowledge on analyzing, designing, and inventing mechanisms. This allows us to develop the ability to create scientific and creative robots.

In the 21st century, the era of knowledge and information, we can learn about various mechanisms more efficiently through animations and videos on the Internet, in addition to books. However, no matter how much knowledge and information we possess about mechanisms, it is essential to go beyond just watching and listening to be able to apply them in the real world.

To truly learn the mechanisms of robots and mechanical structures, practical training is necessary. It is important to not only learn various basic mechanisms but also create models of modified, combined, and applied mechanisms. There is a saying that goes, "Seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times, and making once is better than seeing a hundred times." Knowledge learned through physical experience, like riding a bicycle or swimming, can be utilized for a lifetime.