Micral
The Micral-N is generally considered the first microcomputer (computer using Microprocessor). It was conceived in 1972-73 in the French company R2E, led by Andre Truong and Francois Gernelle. It was initially commissioned by the INRA who could not afford a mini-computer.
The Micral-N was built around the Intel 8008 microprocessor and cost 8500 francs. As you can see from the photo, this machine was nothing like an actual computer. Various other models have emerged then taking advantage of advances in microprocessors. Although this computer has remained unknown to the public, many people have crossed their path as was used to equip the terminals of payment by piece highways. In 1979 R2E is bought by Bull which has used the name Micral for its own computers.
Micro-Computer
Computer reduced in size with theCPU consists of one or more microprocessors.
The computer, which by definition is a system computer, Was first a calculation tool for purely scientific applications (1945). It became in the late 60s a management tool for businesses. With the advent in the 80s, the personal computer (the PC : Personal Computer) was born on micro-computer, ie a personal computer running so Self through its microprocessor, its HDD and Memory Internal.
English: microcomputer.
Microprocessor
Silicon chip containing millions of electronic circuits, for performing thousands of operations per second.
Microrobotic
Microrobotics is an emerging field, born of a cross between Robotics and microsystems. In this sense, it becomes a new field of investigation for robotics. Then comes the problem of the definition of micro-robot. Without any pretension of completeness, we can say that the particular microrobotic inherits its micro dimensions and / or resolution and inherits the robotic control end of its trajectory (flight position and effort by closed loop control of movements its actuators). The flexibility of the tasks performed by a micro-robot is also taken into account, which creates problems of definition and programming tasks and user interfaces, the latter having no direct access by its meaning to such dimensional scales .
The scaling factor between the microworld and macromonde requires the robotics to rethink the major functions of the robot (grip, handling, transport, ...) and the technological means to implement them. It is then for him to discuss such policy instruments used in the microworld, not only in their physical principles, but also in their ability to be successful for actuators microrobots (from energy efficiency criteria, mechanical power of weather response, controllability, etc..).
Note: This definition is the result of FEMTO-ST "Franche-Comté Electronique, Mécanique, Thermique et Optique - Sciences and Technologies", new research institute in Franche-Comte founded in January 2004 by the merger of 5 laboratories below which become its Departments:
CREST (Center for Research on Flow, Surfaces and transfers);
LMARC (Laboratoire de Mécanique Appliquée R. Chaléat);
LOPMD (Laboratoire d'Optique P. M. Duffieux);
LPMO (Laboratory of Physics and Metrology of Oscillators);
LCEP (Chronométrie Laboratory, Electronics and Piezoelectricity).
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