What is the key difference between open-loop and closed-loop control in robotics?

The key difference between open-loop and closed-loop control systems lies in the use of feedback. In an open-loop control system, the operation is executed without any feedback from the output. This means that the system performs actions based on predetermined commands, without any way to adjust or monitor the outcome based on the system's performance.

Conversely, a closed-loop control system incorporates feedback, allowing it to make real-time adjustments based on the actual output of the system. This means that if a robot's performance deviates from the expected result, the closed-loop system can correct its actions to achieve better accuracy and control.

This distinction is crucial in robotics as feedback mechanisms in closed-loop systems contribute to enhanced precision and adaptability, enabling robots to respond to changes in their environment or their own functioning. Open-loop systems, although simpler and sometimes faster due to the lack of feedback processing, may lack the reliability and accuracy that closed-loop systems provide, especially in complex or variable conditions.