The document provides an introduction to robotics and the FireBird robotics research platform. It discusses the major components of a robot including sensors, actuators, control, intelligence, power, communication, and indicating devices. It then describes the various FireBird platforms including those using 8051, AVR, and ARM architectures. It provides details on the specific sensors used on the FireBird V platform, including Sharp IR range sensors and IR proximity sensors. It also discusses some electronic components commonly used in sensors like IR LEDs and phototransistors.