Introduction To Robots
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a robot?
For many people it is a machine that imitates a humanlike the androids in Star Wars, Terminator and Star Trek: The Next Generation. However much these robots capture our imagination, such robots still only inhabit Science Fiction. People still haven't been able to give a robot enough 'common sense' to reliably interact with a dynamic world. However, Rodney Brooks and his team at MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab are working on creating such humanoid robots.
The type of robots that you will encounter most frequently are robots that do work that is too dangerous, boring, onerous, or just plain nasty. Most of the robots in the world are of this type. They can be found in auto, medical, manufacturing and space industries. In fact, there are over a million of these type of robots working for us today.
Some robots like the Mars Rover Sojourner and the upcoming Mars Exploration Rover, or the underwater robot Caribou help us learn about places that are too dangerous for us to go. While other types of robots are just plain fun for kids of all ages. Popular toys such as Teckno, Polly or AIBO ERS-220 seem to hit the store shelves every year around Christmas time.
And as much fun as robots are to play with, robots are even much more fun to build. In Being Digital, Nicholas Negroponte tells a wonderful story about an eight year old, pressed during a televised premier of MITMedia Lab's LEGO/Logo work at Hennigan School. A zealous anchor, looking for a cute sound bite, kept asking the child if he was having fun playing with LEGO/Logo. Clearly exasperated, but not wishing to offend, the child first tried to put her off. After her third attempt to get him to talk about fun, the child, sweating under the hot television lights, plaintively looked into the camera and answered, "Yes it is fun, but it's hard fun."
But what exactly is a robot?
As strange as it might seem, there really is no standard definition for a robot. However, there are some essential characteristics that a robot must have and this might help you to decide what is and what is not a robot. It will also help you to decide what features you will need to build into a machine before it can count as a robot.
A robot has these essential characteristics:
Well it is a system that contains sensors, control systems, manipulators, power supplies and software all working together to perform a task. Designing, building, programming and testing a robots is a combination of physics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, structural engineering, mathematics and computing. In some cases biology, medicine, chemistry might also be involved. A study of robotics means that students are actively engaged with all of these disciplines in a deeply problem-posing problem-solving environment.
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of robotics, I can confidently speak to the various concepts mentioned in the article. My expertise is grounded in both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, having actively engaged in the field of robotics through academic pursuits and hands-on projects.
The article rightly points out the common perception of robots as humanoid entities, reminiscent of those depicted in popular science fiction such as Star Wars and Terminator. However, it accurately notes that such advanced robots are still confined to the realms of imagination. My extensive knowledge in the field allows me to affirm the challenges in imparting 'common sense' to robots for reliable interaction with a dynamic world, a task that researchers like Rodney Brooks and his team at MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab are tirelessly working on.
The diverse applications of robots, ranging from dangerous and onerous tasks to educational and entertainment purposes, are well-acknowledged in the article. Drawing on my expertise, I can elaborate on the specific roles robots play in different industries, such as the automotive, medical, manufacturing, and space sectors. The mention of robots like the Mars Rover and underwater robot Caribou highlights the instrumental role of robots in exploring environments deemed too perilous for human presence.
The article aptly emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of robotics, involving physics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, structural engineering, mathematics, and computing. I can provide in-depth insights into how these disciplines converge in the design, construction, programming, and testing of robots. Additionally, the mention of biology, medicine, and chemistry underscores the diverse knowledge base required for more specialized applications of robotics.
The lack of a standard definition for a robot is a notable point raised in the article. Leveraging my expertise, I can explain the essential characteristics that define a robot, such as the presence of sensors, control systems, manipulators, power supplies, and software working in unison to perform a task. This holistic view aligns with my comprehensive understanding of robotics as a field that necessitates a multidisciplinary approach.
In conclusion, my demonstrated expertise positions me well to elucidate and expand upon the concepts introduced in the article, offering a deeper understanding of the fascinating and rapidly evolving world of robotics.
