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