How robots work


There's a Robot in Our House!

"AI." "Bicentennial Man." "The Jetsons."
"Richie Rich." "I, Robot." These films and TV2)  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 unveiledcleaning windows of high-rise buildings or
the different sides of robots. However, theydisposing  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 toentertainment.
their assigned purpose or duty. And they can
be the most reliable members of yourIn 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 systemsbenefits:
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 themodern way of learning and having fun at the
United Nations Economic Commission for Europesame  time.
revealed that more than 600,000 consumer
robots or household robotic devices were usedPeople can test their various skills by
all over the world in 2003. The Commissionplaying interactive computer games and
also predicted that an additional fourcompeting with "robot opponents" that use
million units would be used in the next threeartificial 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 thechess grandmaster Garry Kasparov in 1996 and
"robotics bandwagon" --- purchasing devices1997.
basically to make their lives easier and less
complicated. These people have discoveredRobotic devices offer a wide array of
that their lifestyles should be attuned withentertainment 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 list4)  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 forthey produce amazing results. They can
you.compute large numbers, draw perfect shapes
and figures, detect identifying marks --- all
Household robotic gadgets willingly, andin  mere  seconds.
literally, do the dirty work for you.
Consider the robot vacuum cleaner which can5)  They  can  help  save  lives.
do  the  following:
There is no question about how high-tech
It cleans effectively and efficiently. Sincegadgets help in the field of medicine. But
it cleans more dirt in a single sweep asrobotic devices are giving this fact a few
compared to standard upright vacuums, themore  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 itscan monitor and record a person's blood
compact shape, the robot vacuum cleaner canpressure, heartbeat rate, and other such
completely clean the area under your bed orvital 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 roboticAn Automatic Resuscitator can give treatment
intelligence system, the robot vacuum cleanerto 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, itsincreasing the survival chances of the
robotic intelligence system enables it topatient.
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 isIndeed, people may have different views about
low, the smart cleaner automatically returnstechnology and modern gadgets. In the end,
to its "home base" and recharges, makinghowever, 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 robotshould we see it as a tool that will help us
vacuum cleaner has been making life easiertake great leaps and get nearer to our
--- and cleaner! --- for at least 570,000destination?
households  around  the  globe.



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