Types of Robots
From LoveToKnow Sci-Fi
There are many types of robots depicted in science fiction as well as used in the real world. Robots are a long-time staple in fiction and technology. Robots can perform many of the same functions that humans can, sometimes more accurately and efficiently. But until artificial and independent intelligence in robots is developed, they will still only be able to perform the moist perfunctory tasks or be made to complete tasks which put humans in danger. Robots appeared in science fiction as early as 1921 when the play R.U.R. opened in Prague. The first actual robot wouldn't come until years later, but science fiction writers developed thousands of ingenious ideas decades and in some cases, centuries, ahead of their time.
About Robotics
Modern robotics is a rapidly expanding and growing field. Technology is often inspired by science fiction and vice versa. While the technology to create a Data-like android does not exist yet, modern robotics are working on it.
Medical Robots
Programmed robots of this type complete mundane or complex surgeries. The performance of robotic mundane surgeries allow human surgeons to concentrate on more complicated surgeries or duties in the hospital. Because there is always a human element, the routine surgeries could get monotonous. Robots don’t feel this same monotony. For the complex surgeries, robots can be more precise without error, hesitation or need to pause.
Telerobots
While not operating completely independently, this type of robot is controlled by remote. A telerobot is often sent into dangerous situations in place of a human. For example, a telerobot may go to diffuse a bomb or roam through a recently burned out building looking for survivors.
Farmbots
Just as there are mundane tasks in the medical industry, there are also mundane tasks in the agricultural sector. Robots to plant seeds, pick fruit, and water fields is not fully realized yet. Although some experimental robots are in development. In Australia, a robot that shears sheep.
Types of Robot for the Service Sector
This perhaps the biggest category of robots. Professional robots can be those used in the military or for other dangers jobs like hazardous waste cleaning or mining. Personal robots run a huge gamut. Many types of this robot are already in homes. From the vacuum cleaning Roomba to Sony's pet dog Aibo, robots are entertaining and performing household duties. The service robot can be seen any hundreds of science fiction books and movies such as I, Robot and Wall-E and even the cartoon The Jetsons.
On major advancement in robotics is Honda's Asimo (which is not named for Isaac Asimov). This robot is the most human robot created in years. It is just under four feet tall. Asimo can recognize many things like:
- Moving objects. Asimo uses a camera to determine direction and distance.
- Gestures. Asimo will shake hands when it sees a hand is being proffered for that gestures.
- Environment.
- Sounds.
- Facial gestures. Asimo can determine a shake of the head or a nod or even when someone rolls their eyes.
Industrial Robots
Any job that requires repetitiveness and the need for reliability is a job that is perfect for a robot. Currently, the auto industry uses robots to paint cars and install tiny electronic chips in cars. Robots and robot arms also are used extensively in make computer motherboards and other computer equipment because they require precise movements and extreme accuracy. One distinctive feature of a robot arm that humans don't have is 360 degree motion of their "wrist".
Roverbots
These are more commonly called "Explorebots". These exploratory machines go to places that humans really can't. Underwater robots can go deeper and into harder-to-reach places that people can't get to yet. Even some of the strong swimmers with some of the best equipment are in danger of water pressure underwater animals. The Mars Rover is a space robot that was shipped to Mars to collect samples and take pictures and send back data, something that a human currently can't do because of unknown conditions on the planet. Many epic space novels like 2001: A Space Odyssey showcase robots with an exploratory nature.
Our Daily Robot
Most robots are already in existence, though you may not know it. Even though a robot doesn’t have a recognizable human form doesn’t make it a robot. You have been using robots every day; from the ATM to your GPS system to even your toaster. Items like these are programmed by a human, but they are created to do monotonous tasks at an accurate rate so we don't have to think to perfection. Science fiction writers often take simple robotics to the next level with imagination. In the future, robots will probably take a more intelligent and free-thinking approach to completing tasks, which can either be a blessing or a hindrance, depending on your opinion or robots. For a good dose of Robotism, read Isaac Asimov's Robot novels.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 3,783 times. This page was last modified 23:01, 24 February 2009.
© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
Print this page
Follow ltk on twitter
Visit us on facebook