Age of the robot
Thursday 2 April 2009
Robots are already highly intelligent and are able to do human tasks. What will they be doing in the future?
What is a robot?
A robot is an artificial figure made up of mechanical parts. It is programmed to carry out different tasks and can respond, act on and interact with the environment on its own, unlike a machine which can only function when told what to do by its user.
Some robots are 'anthropomorphic', which mean they resemble a human body, and are built with artificial limbs that allow them to rotate and move in different directions.
Robotic jobs
The tasks that robots do are always predetermined by how they are programmed - like a set of rules which they follow.
Just like humans
Some robots are known as humanoids and are built to mimic human behaviour - for example they can be programmed to clean, act as guides or even security guards.
In production
Robots play a large part in the manufacturing industry. Car factories are run by robots that perform tasks such as welding, gluing and painting.
Robots also create printed circuit boards which is the means that electrical equipment functions. Meanwhile, automated guided vehicles carry goods and large objects and can move around by following electrical markers on the ground.
Dangerous duties
Telerobots are used to tackle dangerous situations like disarming bombs. However, they are still controlled by human operators from a distance. They can be controlled from as far as a different country or planet - NASA sends out telerobots in to space to find out more about our solar system.
Telerobots can also be used to perform surgery which would be difficult or nearly impossible for a human to do. Delicate procedures that require highly accurate measurements or work on sensitive parts of the body can only be performed by a robot that has been specifically built for surgery.
Robotic revolution
Many of us have grown up watching highly intelligent sci-fi robots on the big screen, remember C-3PO? But will C-3PO ever be a reality?
Car brand Honda recently announced that it has created an electronic helmet that allows the wearer to control its Asimo robot with their thoughts! The helmet works through ‘brain-machine-interface’ which uses sensors to detect electrical signals. These signals are sent to a computer which sends information to Asimo so it can perform the move.
Creators are hoping that the helmet and robot will be able to help people with daily tasks such as turning things on and off, making and serving drinks and cleaning by 2020.
Watch what else Asimo can do.
Learning-bot
Students could be taught by robots one day. In Japan an anthropomorphic, clothes-wearing robot named Saya was tested out in a classroom to teach a group of young people. Saya was able to speak in different languages, call out the register, set tasks and even make facial expressions.
Fishy-bot
Robots will eventually do their part for the environment too. Scientists at the University of Essex are currently creating robot fish to set free in the seas of northern Spain. They will be programmed to swim and detect pollution in the water.
Just for fun
Some robots are created for fun. Berti, a robot created by British scientists, was recently unveiled to the public at London’s Science Museum. It has been programmed to mimic human behaviour and is already able to play Rock, Paper, Scissors and can even register whether it won or not.
A group of students at the University of Southampton has developed a swarm of identical, matchbox-sized robots which only cost £24 each to make! The robots are able to communicate through infrared technology in the same way that mobiles use this technology to link up and interact.
