What does the term "robot kinematics" refer to?

The term "robot kinematics" pertains to the study of motion in robots, emphasizing the positions, velocities, and accelerations of the robot's components without factoring in the forces that cause this motion. This encompasses the analysis of the movement of manipulator arms, joints, and end effectors to understand how they interact and move in three-dimensional space effectively. Kinematics enables roboticists to calculate the necessary angles and movements to accomplish specific tasks, such as reaching a target or performing a complex sequence of operations.

This fundamental understanding of a robot's motion mechanics is critical for designing control systems that allow the robot to navigate its environment and perform tasks accurately. While dynamics involves the forces and torques within the robot's systems, kinematics strictly focuses on the shapes, sizes, and movement trajectories related to the robot's structure. This distinction is vital for engineers and programmers working with robotic systems, as it influences how they approach problem-solving related to motion planning and execution.