How do robotic arms move?

Question

just wondering

Answer 1

either by remote control or autonomously (pre programmed).

the arms are manipulated by mechanical means,the most common

is 'electro-mechanical'. electric motors,electromagnetic.

other types are 'hydraulic',(a backhoe is a robotic arm)

'pneumatic',same as hydraulic,but uses air/gas instead of liquid.

'direct mechanical' ,like an endoscope.

Answer 2

Some use electric motors built into the joints. Some have the motors at the base of the arm and they drive the moving parts by means of steel wires. Many industrial robots use hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders to drive the moving parts.

An interesting new technology is air muscles. Check the link.

Answer 3

However the designer wants.  Possibilities include:

Pneumatics

Hydraulics

Drive chains/belts

Gear systems

Answer 4

Most commonly they are powered by multiple servos, 2 servos for the shoulder(because of how complex the shoulder's movement is) and 1 for the elbow. this allows the arm to get a very natural range of motion, and has very few areas where it cannot reach(not including things that are simple too far away.

there are also other methods, such as pneumatics. these work just as well but are a bit more complicated, and less common.