| "AI." "Bicentennial Man." "The Jetsons." | | | | |
| "Richie Rich." "I, Robot." These films and TV | | | | 2) They provide work safety. |
| programs may have elicited various emotions | | | | |
| and opinions from the viewers. | | | | Specially designed robots are specifically |
| | | | created to do dangerous chores such as |
| Indeed, these movies and shows have unveiled | | | | cleaning windows of high-rise buildings or |
| the different sides of robots. However, they | | | | disposing of toxic materials. |
| still point out a certain fact --- that | | | | |
| robots, or robotic devices, are smart, fast, | | | | 3) They can provide unique and educational |
| and hardworking. They perform according to | | | | entertainment. |
| their assigned purpose or duty. And they can | | | | |
| be the most reliable members of your | | | | In 2003 alone, the sales of entertainment and |
| household. Yes, your very own household! | | | | leisure robotic gadgets went up to 691,000. |
| | | | Such devices can provide the following |
| From vacuum cleaners and surveillance systems | | | | benefits: |
| to pets and leisure gadgets, robotic devices | | | | |
| are definitely "invading" our homes. | | | | Computer-based toys and games (such as an |
| | | | "educational laptop") can give children a |
| In fact, a study released last year by the | | | | modern way of learning and having fun at the |
| United Nations Economic Commission for Europe | | | | same time. |
| revealed that more than 600,000 consumer | | | | |
| robots or household robotic devices were used | | | | People can test their various skills by |
| all over the world in 2003. The Commission | | | | playing interactive computer games and |
| also predicted that an additional four | | | | competing with "robot opponents" that use |
| million units would be used in the next three | | | | artificial intelligence. Such games can |
| years. | | | | really be challenging. In fact, "Deep Blue" |
| | | | (IBM's "chess computer") was able to beat |
| More and more consumers are joining the | | | | chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov in 1996 and |
| "robotics bandwagon" --- purchasing devices | | | | 1997. |
| basically to make their lives easier and less | | | | |
| complicated. These people have discovered | | | | Robotic devices offer a wide array of |
| that their lifestyles should be attuned with | | | | entertainment and leisure activities in the |
| the modern, fast-paced times. | | | | fields of music, video, graphics, animation, |
| | | | et al. |
| Are you one of them? Why should YOU use | | | | |
| robotic devices in your home? Here's a list | | | | 4) They give accurate results. |
| of some of the numerous benefits that such | | | | |
| technological gadgets can give you: | | | | Since robotic devices perform the very |
| | | | specific duty that they were designed to do, |
| 1) They make work --- and life --- easier for | | | | they produce amazing results. They can |
| you. | | | | compute large numbers, draw perfect shapes |
| | | | and figures, detect identifying marks --- all |
| Household robotic gadgets willingly, and | | | | in mere seconds. |
| literally, do the dirty work for you. | | | | |
| Consider the robot vacuum cleaner which can | | | | 5) They can help save lives. |
| do the following: | | | | |
| | | | There is no question about how high-tech |
| It cleans effectively and efficiently. Since | | | | gadgets help in the field of medicine. But |
| it cleans more dirt in a single sweep as | | | | robotic devices are giving this fact a few |
| compared to standard upright vacuums, the | | | | more notches up. Here are some evidences: |
| robot vacuum cleaner actually saves 50% of | | | | |
| your time. | | | | A California-based company has invented a |
| | | | unique patch, which when applied to the skin, |
| It cleans a whole area. Because of its | | | | can monitor and record a person's blood |
| compact shape, the robot vacuum cleaner can | | | | pressure, heartbeat rate, and other such |
| completely clean the area under your bed or | | | | vital signs. The said gadget is also able to |
| other furniture. | | | | automatically send such useful information to |
| | | | the doctor's computer. |
| It detects areas that need the most cleaning. | | | | |
| With its specially designed robotic | | | | An Automatic Resuscitator can give treatment |
| intelligence system, the robot vacuum cleaner | | | | to a heart attack patient and save his life. |
| can sense the dirtier areas. | | | | The gadget can perform faster and leaves the |
| | | | medical professionals with more time, thereby |
| It avoids stairs and cliffs. Again, its | | | | increasing the survival chances of the |
| robotic intelligence system enables it to | | | | patient. |
| sense "dangerous areas" and prevents it from | | | | |
| falling off. | | | | Therapeutic robots have been helping sick |
| | | | patients recuperate faster. |
| It recharges automatically. After a cleaning | | | | |
| mission or upon sensing that its battery is | | | | Indeed, people may have different views about |
| low, the smart cleaner automatically returns | | | | technology and modern gadgets. In the end, |
| to its "home base" and recharges, making | | | | however, the choice is really ours. Should we |
| itself ready for its next duty. | | | | look at and treat technology as a crutch that |
| | | | hinders our journey towards the future? Or |
| Truly a popular robot helper, the robot | | | | should we see it as a tool that will help us |
| vacuum cleaner has been making life easier | | | | take great leaps and get nearer to our |
| --- and cleaner! --- for at least 570,000 | | | | destination? |
| households around the globe. | | | | |