| Many television series and movies have depicted | | | | dangerous substances. They were operated by |
| robots to be mechanically programmed to follow | | | | switches, buttons and even joysticks. |
| man's instruction and do as what man pleases. With a | | | | Unlike the older robots who were intertwined by steel |
| single click of the remote, a robot will do anything it | | | | cables and other mechanical links, robots in today' |
| was designed to perform. | | | | world are more 'intelligent'. Most have sensory |
| Robots have electronic and mechanical parts. Having | | | | systems that collect vast data. Functioning as if they |
| so many capacities, it never ceases to amaze men of | | | | possess a human brain, its artificial intelligence is |
| its many other possibilities. What many people do not | | | | capable of so many things. They can act based on |
| know is that the concept of robots has been in | | | | data gathered through their perception. Robots are |
| existence for a longtime, and this invention has in fact | | | | usually composed of sensors, computer, effectors and |
| assisted men in so many other discoveries. | | | | equipment. |
| Robots at Work | | | | In 1998 alone, there were already 720,000 industrial |
| Sometimes, robots are more preferred since these | | | | robots performing work in some labs. They do some |
| never get tired, can work on longer hours and perform | | | | rigid tasks and are programmed to accomplish |
| harder tasks than men. They can withstand long hours | | | | non-repetitive functions. Some are operating in nuclear |
| of work, do not mind monotonous tasks, is more focus | | | | facilities and underwater explorations. |
| since it is not capable of distraction, and even work in | | | | Jobs Better Left to Robots |
| airless environments. | | | | There are various jobs that are better left alone by |
| Robots can also work on their own, can adapt to | | | | humans and assigned to robots. Telerobots are |
| almost any changes to its surroundings and accomplish | | | | programmed and are operated from a distance. Bomb |
| tasks with much ease since they have tools to get the | | | | disabling, certain surgical procedures and even book |
| job done. | | | | signing can be performed by today's robots. Other |
| Characteristics that make robots different from regular | | | | tasks being done by robots are fruit harvesting, |
| machinery are that robots usually function by | | | | exploring volcanoes, planets, elder care, simple |
| themselves, are sensitive to their environment, adapt to | | | | domestic chores and cleaning inside pipes. |
| variations in the environment or to errors in prior | | | | Over time, robots have proved to be more |
| performance, are task oriented and often have the | | | | cost-efficient than human laborers. As more |
| ability to try different methods to accomplish a task. | | | | companies are trying to cut back on expenses, robots |
| History of Robots | | | | are being preferred in some of menial, dangerous jobs. |
| The term robot was taken from a Czechoslovakian | | | | They can do away with expensive labor, costly |
| word robota, which when translated means servant or | | | | litigation, benefits and even on salary. |
| slave. Its concept was to assist humans in its daily | | | | The only downside with robots is that they have to be |
| tasks. The earliest forms of these robotic inventions | | | | maintained and repaired from damage and constant |
| are those who handled highly radioactive components. | | | | wear and tear. Also, if not programmed properly |
| These were first used in atomic labs to carry | | | | results can be disastrous. |