| When people hear the word "robot," they immediately | | | | robots devoted for personal use as well as those |
| see images of Irona, Richie Rich's maid or the | | | | tasked to perform professional functions. Two of the |
| Terminator. Images of an entity with human-like | | | | most popular service robots designed are Asimo, a |
| appearance but with super human abilities are conjured | | | | walking humanoid and Aibo, a robot dog. Other areas |
| up. In reality however, the term "robot," encompasses | | | | where these types of robots are applied are in: |
| so much more than just humanoid or android beings. | | | | - Patient care |
| Furthermore, most people are intimidated when they | | | | - Military functions |
| encounter anything related to robotics. It is true, it can | | | | - Underwater jobso Telerobots. Telerobots are ideal |
| be a complicated subject so most people, for | | | | for jobs that are highly dangerous or difficult to |
| convenience, assume it simply means androids. | | | | accomplish so they are often manipulated via a |
| Origins of Robotics | | | | remote control device. Telerobots are used |
| First, what exactly is robotics? Robotics, in the simplest | | | | extensively in outer space exploration and military |
| of explanations, involves the design and creation of | | | | operations. Other uses for telerobots include: |
| robots. It also involves the study of how robots can be | | | | - Bomb diffusion |
| used to perform a variety of functions. A robot is a | | | | - Surveillance |
| mechanical device designed to automate tasks that | | | | - Certain types of surgery |
| are usually performed by people. | | | | - Rescue operations such as the scouting of survivors |
| The first industrial robot to be created was Unimate, | | | | in a burned buildingo Mobile Robots. Mobile robots are |
| which was utilized to perform tasks in an automotive | | | | also known as automated guided vehicles and are |
| company. It was created by Unimation, a company | | | | used to carry materials on a given location. The more |
| formed by Charles Devol and Joseph Engelberger. | | | | advanced versions can be manipulated to function |
| After the success of Unimate, companies started | | | | independently using an installed map as a guide.o |
| investing in robotics for their manufacturing operations. | | | | Agricultural Robots. These robots are still in the |
| Types of Robots | | | | development stages but designers foresee that these |
| There are many types of robots now in existence, | | | | equipments can soon be used for tasks such as |
| each with specific functions.o Industrial Robots. Industrial | | | | planting and harvesting. |
| robots are widely used in the manufacturing industry. | | | | Advantages of Robots |
| Many of the tasks involved in production entail speed | | | | Robotics affords the human population a lot of |
| and accuracy as well as repetition, which is why | | | | benefits. In the business sector alone, robotics counts |
| robots are heavily relied upon to perform these tasks. | | | | for much of the profitability of companies as robots |
| Some of the industries that use robotics extensively | | | | enhance productivity and quality. |
| are: | | | | In critical areas such as the medical field, the use of |
| - Automobile industry | | | | robotics is significant not only to medical practitioners |
| - Medical industry | | | | but also to patients. Robotics systems are a viable |
| - Food and Beverage manufacturing | | | | way to ensure that patients get the best medical |
| - Pharmaceuticalso Service Robots. There are service | | | | devices, medicine and medical procedures. |