What is a robot?
A robot is a machine that carries out actions normally programmed by a computer.
Some robots can do things on their own, while others have to be told what to do. There is a difference between robots and robotics. Robotics is the STUDY of robots. Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation and application of robots. [Oxford Dictionary] WHO USES ROBOTS? HOW ARE THEY USED?Robots are used everywhere. Outer Space, Industries, Hospitals, even in daily lives of normal people. They do jobs as simple and boring like cleaning homes or offices, or dangerous jobs like cleaning out radioactive waste or operating explosives. They are also used in inaccessible places like at the bottom of the sea or on another planet.
Of course, these are not the only uses for robots, there are many more types of robots used everywhere, even in our daily lives. When we think of robots, we generally think of those big, powerful, humanoid robots we see in Hollywood movies. But really, robots can be as simple as machines used for tasks we humans can't do because it's too dangerous, complex, or even because it is boring or dirty. [Staples]
Advantages and DisadvantagesMain parts of a RobotThere are three major parts of a robot. The input devices (where information is taken in), CPU (where information is processed), output devices (where the action takes place).
The Input Devices are where information is taken in using different modes. These can be devices like cameras, temperature sensors, proximity sensors, sound sensor, etc. For example, the proximity sensor would sense obstacles in the path of a robot as the robot approaches it. However, the information taken in via an input device is meaningless to the robot unless it is understood and a corresponding action is taken. This brings us to the next major part of a robot, which is the Central Processing Unit, where all the information taken in via the input devices are processed. Sure, a proximity sensor can sense objects in its path, but what will they do with it? The CPU will process the information so that the robot understands that there is an object right in front of it and the robot needs to move around the obstacle, in order to avoid it. This will then pass onto the output devices, where the information is used to make the robot move. Yes, the CPU will understand that the robot needs to move, but the CPU itself can't make the robot move. It commands an output device, for example a motor in the wheel of a robot, to move the robot in order to avoid the object in front of it. |
Facts.According to the RIA (Robotics Industrial Association), there are around 1 million robots that are actively employed around the world; nearly half of them in Japan.
The US itself have 196,000 robots, second only to Japan. If non-industrial robots are included, the number is close to 8 million. [Markey] Japan leads the world in Robot technology. There are restaurants there that uses robots to make sushi and chop vegetables. There are robot receptionists, and robots that care for elders in elderly homes. [Staples]
The word 'ROBOT' comes from Czech word 'robota', which means drudgery. [Markey, Powell]
Australian Scientists are attempting to make a micro-robot that can copy the swim strokes of the E-coli bacteria so they can inject the robot into a patient and do an internal biopsy. [Markey, Powell]
R2-D2 is the only known character in Star Wars that hasn't changed throughout all six movies.
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Common Kits to build robots
- http://letsmakerobots.com/
- http://www.raspberrypi.org/
- http://www.arduino.cc/
- http://www.lego.com/en-us/mindstorms/
- http://www.raspberrypi.org/
- http://www.arduino.cc/
- http://www.lego.com/en-us/mindstorms/
Want to know more about robots? Here are some links you can go to in your leisure.
- Robotic Surgery -- The future?: http://media.smh.com.au/news/science/robotic-surgery--the-future-4894813.html
- Crash-happy drones: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24758935
- Robots - solar power: http://www.forbes.com/sites/uciliawang/2013/11/04/how-robots-can-keep-solar-panels-clean-and-the-energy-flowing-more-freely/
- Robotic Surgery -- The future?: http://media.smh.com.au/news/science/robotic-surgery--the-future-4894813.html
- Crash-happy drones: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24758935
- Robots - solar power: http://www.forbes.com/sites/uciliawang/2013/11/04/how-robots-can-keep-solar-panels-clean-and-the-energy-flowing-more-freely/