This document provides an overview of robots, including their definition, etymology, and history. It discusses how robots were first conceptualized by da Vinci and later popularized in fiction. Robots are now commonly used for repetitive tasks in factories and for dangerous jobs like bomb disposal. The document outlines different types of robots and their uses, from helper robots to surgical robots. It concludes by outlining a scientist's vision for the evolution of robot intelligence over the coming decades.
2. What is a
robot?
There’s no precise
definition, but by general
agreement a robot is a
programmable machine
that imitates the actions
or appearance of an
intelligent creature–
usually a human.
3. The word robot comes from
the Czech word robota,
meaning drudgery, ‘forced
labour’ or slave-like labor. It
was first used to describe
fabricated workers in a
fictional 1920s play by
Czech author Karel Capek
called Rossum’s
Universal Robots.
4. Leonardo da Vinci drew plans for a
mechanical man in 1495.
This robot is
based on
drawings by
Leonardo da
Vinci
5. Public fascination
with robotics
peaked in the
early 1980’s,
spurred in part by
movies like Star
Wars, which
featured robots
C3-PO and R2-D2
as helpful
sidekicks to their
human masters.
6. As mechanical workers, robots
are ideal for jobs requiring
repetitive, precise movements.
Human workers need a
comfortable working
environment, coffee breaks,
sleep, and vacations. Robots
don’t. Human workers get
bored doing the same thing
over and over, boredom that
leads to fatigue and costly
mistakes. Robots don’t get
bored.
7. Where are most robots found?
CAR FACTORIES
More than 50 percent
of all robots are
found
In car factories
8. Certain dangerous jobs are
best done by robots. Bomb
disposal is one of these.
Guided remotely using video
cameras, robots like the USBV
Inspector can be sent to
investigate and defuse possible
bombs.
9. Robug III is designed to
operate in radioactive
areas, like the core of a
nuclear reactor. With eight
legs and vacuum gripper
feet, Robug III can walk
over obstacles and even
climb walls. Strong for its
small size, it can drag
loads of over 220 pounds.
Mounted video cameras
let human operators see
and assess any damage.
10. This robot is designed to help with heart
surgery. Guess what its name is?
da Vinci
11. Robot Wars is a combat game
that pits robot against robot in
a fight to the death. The radio-
controlled machines are
armed with drills, saws,
projectiles and other means of
destruction. Victory goes to
the robot that renders it
opponent immobile.
I think that in the room there is at least one
fan of this TV show
12. A spacecraft screams
downward through the pink
Martian sky. It bounces to
rest on the rocky red soil,
cushioned by a grape-like
cluster of giant white
airbags. The airbags are
sucked back into the craft,
and out rolls a six-wheeled
robot. Scanning the terrain
with laser eyes, it spies a
rock, rolls toward it, and
begins to drill.
13. Research scientist Hans Moravec sees a 4-stage evolution towards universal
robots, robots with human-level intelligence flexible enough to do a broad range
of tasks. Key to this evolution is a steady increase in computer power, defined
in terms of millions of instructions per second, or MIPS.
Robots Generations
14. Year: 2010
Processing power: 3,000
MIPS
Intelligence equivalent:
Lizard
Robots will have basic navigation
skills and could be used for
cleaning or delivery and take on
expanded roles in factories.
15. Year: 2020
Processing power: 100,000
MIPS
Intelligence equivalent: Mouse
Robots will be able to learn on the
job, adapting their own programs to
perform more successfully. Robots
will do the same jobs as before, but
more reliably and flexibly.