This document provides an overview of robots and robotics. It defines a robot as a re-programmable, automatic machine that can replace humans in hazardous work. The document traces the origins of the word "robot" to a 1920 play and discusses how Isaac Asimov coined the term "robotics" and established three laws of robotics. It also describes the main components of industrial robots including sensors, effectors, actuators, controllers, and arms. Finally, it outlines some common types of robots like mobile, autonomous, remotely operated, and virtual robots and discusses both the advantages and disadvantages of using robots.