Motion control

Motion control is a sub-field of automation, in which the position or velocity of machines are controlled using some type of device such as a hydraulic pump, linear actuator, or electric motor, generally a servo. Motion control is an important part of robotics and CNC machine tools, however in these instances it is more complex than when used with specialized machines, where the kinematics are usually simpler. The latter is often called General Motion Control (GMC). Motion control is widely used in the packaging, printing, textile, semiconductor production, and assembly industries. Motion Control encompasses every technology related to the movement of objects. It covers every motion system from micro-sized systems such as silicon-type micro induction actuators to micro-siml systems such as a space platform. But, these days, the focus of motion control is the special control technology of motion systems with electric actuators such as dc/ac servo motors. Control of robotic manipulators is also included in the field of motion control because most of robotic manipulators are driven by electrical servo motors and the key objective is the control of motion.

Sonic and the Secret Rings

Sonic and the Secret Rings (ソニックと秘密のリング, Sonikku to Himitsu no Ringu) is a video game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega as part of the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It was released exclusively for the Wii on February 20, 2007 in North America; March 2 in Europe and March 15 in Japan. It is the first Sonic game for the console, released in place of an aborted attempt to port the 2006 video game Sonic the Hedgehog. Secret Rings is a three-dimensional platform and action game whose plot follows the series' main character, Sonic the Hedgehog, on a quest to stop an evil genie named the Erazor Djinn. In addition to the basic platforming gameplay of previous Sonic titles, Secret Rings uses a system of experience points and levels, as well as special moves that are unlocked via leveling up.

Producer Yojiro Ogawa conceived the game to tap into the Wii Remote's capabilities. He chose the theme of Arabian Nights, using many elements of the stories in the game's setting, characters, and Middle Eastern-influenced music. Sega changed the title of the game several times, settling on Sonic and the Secret Rings to tie in the theme of Arabian Nights. Upon release, Secret Rings got mixed reviews. Reviewers praised its visuals but said that its controls and inconsistent difficulty take some time to get used to. It sold 83,000 copies in its first month and continued to chart throughout the year. Sega released a sequel in March 2009, Sonic and the Black Knight; the two form what is known as the Storybook series. Sonic and the Secret Rings was de-listed in 2010, due to Sega's decision to remove all Sonic titles with average Metacritic scores from retail stores in order to increase the value of their brand after positive reviews for Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I and Sonic Colors.