Degrees of Freedom

Degree of Freedom(DOF) is a very important concept in robotics. A robot arm can have movement either in one, two or three dimensions. Based on the the movement, the robot arm can have the following Degrees of movements:

1. One dimension will have one degree of freedom. This means it can only change its location form one point to another. Similar to a sliding door.
2. Two dimensions will have three degrees of freedom. The object can change its as well as rotate along an axis.Similar to a pendulum.
   
3. Three dimensions will have six degrees of freedom. The object can move as well as rotate along all three axis. Similar to a human hand.

So, while you are creating robotic arms, do keep the DOF in mind!