Surprising predictions part 4

 Robotics 101: What Are Robots and What Can They Do?

Robots are artificially intelligent machines that have been designed to mimic the actions of humans and other animals. Although they are far from ready to take over the world, robots have made many contributions to modern life, from building cars and fighting fires to serving drinks and rescuing people from natural disasters. You might not be as familiar with them as you think! Here’s what robots can do and how they work.

An Introduction to Robots

Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, structural disposition, manufacture and application of robots. 

The word robot comes from the Czech word robota, meaning forced labor or drudgery. 

The first recorded use of the word was in a play R.U.R., written by Karel Čapek in 1920. 

 Robots are increasingly becoming a staple in industrial and manufacturing settings, as well as in everyday life. 

 There are many different types of robots that perform various tasks; some common examples include assembly line robots, humanoid robots, military drones, service robots and space exploration robots. A brief introduction to each type will be given below. Assembly Line Robots - These robots help streamline production lines by performing repetitive physical tasks like spot welding. 

 Humanoid Robots - These specialized machines mimic human movement to provide assistance for humans in emergency situations or other scenarios where it would be difficult for humans to work on their own. 

 Military Drones - Drones (sometimes called Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are typically remotely controlled aircrafts used for reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition missions by military forces around the world. 

 Service Robots - These machines can have many functions such as cooking food, doing housework, assisting people with disabilities and helping children learn languages. 

 Space Exploration Robots - Several rovers currently exist on Mars including Curiosity rover which found evidence of past water activity on Mars last year! The earliest known robot may have been created by Archytas of Tarentum, who built a mechanical bird capable of flapping its wings in 465 BC. Today there are over 200 types of robots being used all over the world! Below is a list of five more types of robots you might want to know about. Animal-like Robots - For example, Boston Dynamics' Atlas robot has four legs so it can walk more like an animal than a machine. 

 Autonomous Cars - Google's self-driving car program is working on cars that don't need any human input whatsoever when driving. 

 Flying Robots - One example of this category includes helicopters which hover in one place while carrying out their mission. 

 Hobbyist Robot Kits - If you're interested in getting started with robotics yourself, then these kits might be perfect for you! Some kits come with detailed instructions so you'll be able to build your own creations without much experience at all. Here are just a few of the robotic kits you can get to start learning how to make robots: The 3Doodler Create 3D Printing Pen - This pen lets you create three dimensional objects in the air, and is a great way to explore and experiment with what's possible. The Cubetto Playset - Teaching kids about programming is easy with this set that works with wooden blocks. LittleBits Code Kit - Kids ages 8+ will love using hands-on instruction to create real circuits with lights, motors, sensors and more. Fidget Spinner Toy Bot Kit - All of those fidget spinners are making you bored? Make them into something new by transforming them into a robot! This kit comes with everything you need to build a robot that can move and turn on its own.

Robot Nomenclature

Robots are machines that can be programmed to carry out a series of actions automatically. The word robot comes from the Czech word robota, which means forced labor. It was first used in 1921 by Karel Čapek in his play Rossum's Universal Robots. The term robotics was later applied to these devices because they have the ability to do things on their own without human control. 

What Is Robotics? What Are Robots? Types & Uses of Robots

The Structure of a Robot

Robots are machines that can be programmed to carry out a series of actions automatically. Most robots consist of three parts: a controller, an actuator, and a power source. The controller is the brain of the robot, containing the instructions for how the robot should operate. The actuator is responsible for moving the robot's parts, based on the commands from the controller. The power source provides energy to run the actuator and can be either electrical or hydraulic. The most common form of actuators in robots today are electric motors, which rotate gears or pulleys to move mechanical parts such as wheels, arms, legs, etc. These electric motors take their power from electricity supplied by a power source like batteries or a wall outlet. Hydraulic actuators function similarly but use pressurized liquid stored in tanks instead of electrically powered devices. 

Rethink Robotics' Baxter Robot uses both electric and hydraulic actuators because it needs to be both powerful enough to lift heavy objects yet gentle enough not to injure humans with its rough movements (though some people do find it cute). 

Baxter does this by having two main groups of five-fingered hands each -- one group attached directly below the other -- that work together seamlessly depending on what task it is doing at any given time. For example, when picking up a soft object like a stuffed animal toy, the lower set of hands would grasp it gently while the upper set supports it. When handling something heavier, such as an empty box, only the upper set of hands will touch it while the lower set remains free to aid in grasping the next object to be picked up.

A second type of actuator used in robotics is called a pneumatic system. It usually consists of air pistons controlled by compressed air supplied by compressors and pumps that turn mechanical motion into linear motion or vice versa. Pneumatic systems are commonly found on larger robots designed for heavy duty applications where human interaction would otherwise prove dangerous or impractical. Examples include Atlas, a six foot tall humanoid developed by Boston Dynamics; Lockheed Martin's 7-foot tall Robonaut 2 currently aboard the International Space Station; and ASIMO, Honda's 18 inch tall humanoid. 

Pneumatic actuators are also used on many types of industrial machinery because they offer extreme precision and require less maintenance than hydraulic systems. In addition, since pneumatic systems depend on air pressure rather than electrical currents, they are safer around live circuits. However, the downside to these actuators is that they often cannot produce much force. That means if you want your robot to open a door forcefully or push against an object very hard, you'll need another type of actuator such as an electric motor or servo.

When purchasing a new robot make sure to keep these different actuators in mind so you can buy one with the right tools for your project!

Robot Skills and Abilities

industrial, commercial, and consumer robots have one or more of the following abilities: 

-The ability to move -This includes moving via walking, rolling, swimming, or flying. Some can also climb walls or ladders. 

-The ability to sense -This means having sensors that allow the robot to see (usually with cameras), hear, smell, taste, touch, and/or feel temperature changes. 

-The ability to think -Onboard computers give robots the ability to process information and make decisions. This allows them to autonomously carry out tasks or follow pre-programmed commands. 

-The ability to connect -Many modern robots are equipped with wireless connectivity so they can communicate with other devices and humans. Other robots may be tethered to a wire for power or data input. For example, many military robots are controlled remotely by people using a tether. 

-The ability to interface -Robots may be designed for specific jobs such as using tools, providing medical care, assisting in construction work, delivering packages etc., which require special interfaces like arms, drills etc. One important function is the ability to detect objects. Industrial robots must be able to detect their environment because many types of accidents involve collisions between two or more objects; if a robot can't see an object, it could collide with it at full speed without stopping. Consumer robots often include computer vision capabilities as well because consumers need an interactive experience with their machine that requires more than just voice commands. One company offers camera-equipped housekeeping robots called Irobot Roomba 980s that interact with humans by responding to gestures and spoken commands

How do they do that?

In general, robots are machines that can be programmed to carry out a series of actions automatically. This can be anything from welding a car door shut to vacuum your living room floor. The robot is typically equipped with sensors (such as infrared, touch or pressure) so it knows what's going on around it. 

To tell the robot what to do next, you program it with directions - like move forward until you hit something or turn right until you reach the wall. 

Programming usually requires some sort of computer programming language such as Python or Java. And don't worry about being intimidated by these words - there are tons of resources available for beginners! 

The two most common types of robots in use today are industrial and service robots. Industrial robots are often found in factories where they're used for heavy-duty tasks like welding, painting or packaging. These robots have rigid arms with hands at the end. They work side-by-side on an assembly line, performing repetitive tasks 24 hours a day. These are designed to take care of dangerous jobs that humans can't always handle well, such as working with toxic chemicals or handling objects too hot for people to touch. 

Service robots assist people with their daily lives - whether that means fetching groceries from the store for someone who can't leave their home or assisting elderly patients when their family members aren't available to help them get up off the ground. These robots have flexible arms so they can manipulate objects in various ways depending on what task needs completing. Many service robots will have speech recognition capabilities and will talk back and interact with humans just like another person would! There are many different types of service robots currently in development, including robotic assistants to help those who need assistance with their physical therapy exercises. With all this progress, we'll soon see robots helping us all over the place - doing everything from delivering packages to cleaning our homes! Industrial robots are specialized pieces of equipment and should only be serviced by professionals who know how to work with the specific machine. Never try to open up a factory robot yourself because you could easily damage it and become seriously injured! 

Service robots also require a level of expertise to repair - if your robot has stopped responding, make sure you consult with a technician before trying any repairs yourself. It's always best to hire someone trained in robotics rather than attempting complicated repairs yourself. That way, you won't run the risk of hurting yourself or anyone else. 

Industrial robots tend to be more complicated to fix, since they operate continuously and at higher speeds. Service robots are typically much easier to maintain, since they're often idle when not in use. If your service robot isn't turning on, you might want to replace its batteries first. Other problems might include clogged sensors or low power levels which could be resolved by a quick wipe down with rubbing alcohol or compressed air. 

So now that you know more about robots and what kinds exist, go ahead and search for robotics courses near you!

Who Invented Robots?

One of the first recorded robots was invented by Leonardo da Vinci in 1495. Da Vinci designed a mechanical knight that could sit up, wave its arms, and move its head and jaw. However, his robot was never built. In the early 1600s, Johannes Kepler proposed the idea of an automaton in his book Somnium, which told the story of a man who built a flying machine to travel to the moon. But it wasn't until the Industrial Revolution that robots began to be used in factories. The word robot comes from the Czech word for forced labor, robota. Modern-day robots are not sentient beings with feelings or minds of their own; they are more like machines with jobs. Robotics is defined as the design, construction, operation, programming and application of robots. There are many different types of robots including underwater, air and land. The most popular type of robot is industrial because it can perform tasks such as welding, painting, assembling products, packaging materials, processing material and other repetitive operations that humans would otherwise have to do. 

A simple definition for robotics might be the use of artificial intelligence to create automatic systems which imitate human behavior. 

How Does A Robot Work?: First a person will design the mechanics on paper (or computer) then this diagram will become instructions for engineers to create a prototype in a 3D modeling program (e.g., CAD). Engineers will also find ways to integrate sensors into the prototype so that it can respond properly when given input commands. These commands come from a controller made out of hard plastic, metal or wood. Sensors tell the controller how to position itself and what forces it needs to exert on the motors attached at each joint in order to carry out certain tasks. For example, if someone wants a robot arm with three joints to pick up something heavy off the ground, they will give three sets of instructions. 

What Is A Robotic Arm?: Generally speaking, robotic arms have five functions: 1) Grasping - holding onto something 2) Stabilizing - holding onto something while preventing motion 3) Manipulating - moving objects 4) Facing - rotating objects 5) Locating - finding an object in space An electric motor rotates one or two joints at either end of the arm while another rotates joints inside those ends. Each of these joints has a limit switch, and a motor speed sensor to make sure the arm doesn't overshoot. Limit switches also make sure the arm stops before hitting anything. These sensors and switches allow a computer to monitor the exact position of the robotic arm in real time. This data is important for keeping all parts of the arm in sync and performing tasks without damaging the surroundings. 

Continuation (two+ sentences): What Types Of Robots Exist?: All robots fall under four main categories: humanoid, industrial, medical, and service. Humanoid robots may look like people but they don't have any feelings or consciousnesses. Industrial robots work alongside humans on assembly lines to help produce goods faster than any human could possibly do them alone. A modern factory is likely to have anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred industrial robots at its disposal. 

Industrial robots can also be customized for specific tasks like, say, making shoes. At Adidas' factory in Germany, an industrial robot called AM50 assembles 3,000 pairs of sneakers every day. 

Medical robots are used in the health care industry to deliver medication and devices in hospitals or homes. This helps doctors and nurses avoid touching contaminated surfaces or carrying patients themselves which could injure them. Examples of medical robots include surgical robots that let surgeons operate on patients remotely as well as therapy robots that assist elderly people with physical therapy exercises in the comfort of their own home.

Some Historical Background

Robotics has its origins in the ancient world. The word robot comes from the Czech word robota, which means forced labor or drudgery. In Greek mythology, Hephaestus, the god of fire and metalworking, created mechanical helpers to assist him in his forge. In the Middle Ages, automatons (self-operating machines) were built to entertain royalty andchurch audiences. The first modern robot was created by Isaac Asimov in 1941. He called it  Robbie. It had a combination electric motor and air pressure pump for motion. There are four major categories of robots: industrial robots, service robots, personal robots, and military robotics. Industrial robots can be found in factories assembling automobiles or welding parts on an assembly line. Service robots help out with household chores like vacuuming floors or cleaning windows. Personal robots can act as our companions such as the Sony Aibo dog that does tricks for you when you pet it! And military robotics can include armed drones used to bomb enemy strongholds or unmanned vehicles that transport bombs remotely into combat zones . Robots come in all shapes and sizes, but they typically consist of some type of frame made up of different materials like aluminum, plastic, steel, and titanium. Some types also have sensors such as infrared detectors or cameras to help them navigate through unfamiliar territory. Robotic brains may either be preprogrammed with a set of instructions or given more general intelligence so that they can make decisions based on their environment. For example, the Mars Rover carries scientific instruments and is programmed to take photographs and measurements without human intervention. However, if something gets in its way, it will stop itself to avoid collision. Sometimes these robots need guidance from humans who monitor them via video screens connected via satellite links. Other times humans use programs to control their movements much like remote control cars - in these cases the operator is often referred to as a teleoperator or remote operator instead of roboticist . One of the most widely known uses of a robotic device is the Predator drone. These are unmanned aerial vehicles that can spy on people and shoot missiles at them without ever putting any American lives at risk. More than 3,000 drone strikes have been conducted against terrorist targets since 2001. Another well-known use for robots is in construction where they play an important role in reducing accidents and increasing productivity among laborers. A future application could be using humanoid robots to serve as caregivers for elderly people who want to stay in their homes longer while still getting assistance with day-to-day tasks like cooking meals or doing laundry. These technologies are changing not only how we work but also how we live . According to the Pew Research Center, the percentage of adults in the United States who are married or living with a partner dropped from 72% in 1960 to 51% in 2010. In place of partners, many Americans now have pets and devices such as iPhones. This may be because of Americans' preference for convenience and independence . We're also living longer. In 1970, 8.2% of men aged 65 and older reported having no close friends, but by 2004 that number jumped to 16%. Clearly this is a big issue for those without other forms of social support. Robots can provide another form of interaction that can help increase feelings of social engagement as opposed to isolation. They can also be used to teach children. In 2012, a robot named Leonardo da Vinci Jr. was introduced to the students of one elementary school in Texas. Students were able to interact with the robot and learn about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects like biology and anatomy. Similarly, there are robots that can teach conversational English as a second language by helping students develop their vocabulary and pronunciation skills. These applications represent just two ways that robotics can improve people's quality of life .

Current Applications in Industry, Entertainment, Medicine, Education etc.

Today, robots are commonly used in industry, medicine, entertainment, and education. In industry, they are used for tasks such as welding, fabricating auto parts, and assembling products. In medicine, they are used for tasks such as performing surgery and assisting with physical therapy. In entertainment, they are used for tasks such as dance performances and other shows. In education, they are used for tasks such as teaching children about science and math. There are many different types of robots that can be built to perform these tasks. For example, some of the more common robot types include manipulators, mobile robots, humanoid robots, bipedal robots, aerial drones, aquatic vehicles and swarm intelligence systems. 

The table below provides a more detailed overview of the capabilities of these different robot types. Manipulator robots have the ability to move objects and position them in 3D space. Mobile robots have the ability to move from one location to another on their own or under human control. Humanoid robots are modeled after humans or animals, with two arms, two legs, a head and a torso. Bipedal robots stand on two legs and walk like humans do. Aerial drones fly through the air while carrying out various functions such as taking photos or spying on people without being detected by radar devices. Aquatic vehicles swim underwater while carrying out various functions such as delivering items or searching for lost people or things at great depths. Swarm intelligence is a type of artificial intelligence where large numbers of simple agents work together so intelligently that it appears as if they are making decisions collectively. Each agent has limited knowledge, but together they share information and figure out what the best solution is. For example, in a swarm of bees each bee may only know where its hive is located relative to its current position, but when the hive needs to be relocated due to environmental changes, all the bees will come up with an intelligent solution (such as flying south) even though no individual bee knows what direction south actually is. Thus, using swarm intelligence allows us to solve problems that would not be possible using any other type of artificial intelligence. Furthermore, there are four key steps that need to be taken before building a robot; the programming software must be chosen, the materials must be sourced, the design process must take place aanda finally, prototyping should occur.

Will robots take over the world?

With the rapid advancements in robotics technology, it's not hard to imagine a future where robots play a significant role in our lives. But will they take over the world? It's unlikely. Here's why 1) Robots are expensive. The average cost of a robot is around $200,000 - which is prohibitively expensive for most households (even though robotic vacuum cleaners are relatively inexpensive). 

2) Robots are inflexible. While there has been some recent advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms that have improved their ability to function autonomously, robots still require direction from humans. So if we stop providing instructions for them, they would just sit there motionless until someone came along to start them up again. 3) Robots can't deal with human unpredictability. As humans, we're unpredictable by nature - and so far, robots haven't learned how to deal with this complexity well enough to effectively interact with us. A lot of this boils down to safety issues. 

4) Robot-human interactions are new territory. No one really knows what kinds of impacts these interactions might have on society as a whole; thus far, studies have shown mixed results ranging from positive socialization effects on children and elderly adults, to potential detrimental effects on interpersonal communication skills. If you want your kids to get excited about STEM subjects, or you're looking for an affordable helper at home, then robots may be right for you! For everyone else who wants to live peacefully without worrying about an army of killer machines ruling the planet, stay tuned! There's no doubt that robots will continue to become more integrated into everyday life as time goes on, but even though they'll likely never completely replace humans, at least we'll always have cute cat videos to watch. 

5) With technological advancements in robotic manufacturing technologies like 3D printing, it's possible that eventually they'll become cheap enough that anyone can buy them - resulting in a world where most people own their own personal robot companion. That said, I wouldn't hold my breath - such technologies are still well out of reach at present. 6) Finally...there is humanity itself! Human beings value human connections and relationships over material objects - especially when it comes to personal assistants/companions/etc., so I think there is little danger of us turning our homes into Terminator factories anytime soon. Will robotics change your world forever? It's definitely possible - but not necessarily probable...for now! Types of Robots 

- Household robots, used for chores and other daily tasks. 

- Service robots, programmed to perform specific tasks in dangerous environments - such as rescue operations, bomb detection, and other hazardous jobs. 

- Companion robots, designed to provide emotional support for humans - such as a toy dog that's programmed to respond in certain ways and behave similarly to a real dog. 

What Robots CAN'T do 

It's important to keep in mind that while robots are getting better every day at taking on different tasks, they are also limited by several factors: namely the limits of their programming and/or hardware limitations. One thing they CAN'T do is make decisions based on emotions - whether it's love or anger. Even the most advanced robots are still very much a product of their creators, and there's a long way to go before they can match the creativity and independent thinking of humans. 

Robots CAN'T cook - or do anything that requires fine manual dexterity, for that matter. 

Robots CAN'T feel pain or pleasure, so they won't be able to push past their limitations to finish a task - they'll either give up or become extremely frustrated. 

Robots CAN'T act as companions for pets...but we're working on it! It's not surprising that many pet owners are interested in adopting robotic pets for their own animals. 

Robots CAN'T protect themselves from harm.

Where are the most popular places for robots today?

In industrial settings, robots are commonly used to weld, fabricate, and assemble auto parts and other heavy machinery. They've also been increasingly adopted in healthcare, where they assist in surgery, take vital signs, and dispense medication. Food service is another area where robots are beginning to make their mark, with many restaurants now using them to cook and serve food. Retail stores are also starting to use robots for tasks like stocking shelves and cleaning floors. Finally, robots are being used more and more in home settings for tasks like vacuuming, mowing the lawn, and even providing companionship. One of the latest developments in this category is Jibo, a social robot that can act as a family's digital assistant by taking photos, streaming video chats, or helping with recipes or homework assignments. With such wide-ranging applications for these advanced machines, it's clear that robotics is an ever-growing field that will continue to play an important role in our future. What are some things robots can do? A common misconception about robots is that they're all cold metal creatures. But in reality, most modern robots are actually made up of three main components: sensors (to help the machine see its environment), actuators (to manipulate objects), and a computer system that interprets data from the sensors and directs how the actuators should move. These components work together to enable robots to do all sorts of incredible things! 

In addition to factory work, we're seeing more autonomous vehicles on roads and on construction sites--especially trucks equipped with automated systems for monitoring driving conditions, loading cargo, and delivering supplies. Unmanned aerial drones have become commonplace for military surveillance and reconnaissance missions; according to the FAA, there were about 725,000 drones registered in 2016 alone. And despite advances in artificial intelligence technology that allow virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa to answer questions and control household devices, there's still no substitute for what real people bring to customer service jobs. So while robots may be better suited than humans for repetitive physical labor or hazardous environments, humans will always have an edge when it comes to emotional intelligence.