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Robots are everywhere – from chocolate factories and cookie mills to the center of volcanoes and fields loaded with land mines. Unlike Star Wars’ R2-D2, the robots of the real world are more than just a trusty sidekick. They are doing the jobs that humans cannot or do not want to do.
But what is a robot? Well “Robot” is a Slavic word meaning self-labor, drudgery or hard work. Quite a grim definition for such a welcome addition to technology, if you ask me. Simply put, a robot is a machine that is capable of performing various complex actions when guided by automatic controls. To function in the real world, robots must be able to manipulate objects using their ‘hands’ or effectors and ‘arms’ called manipulators. And believe me, this is not an easy feat.
Thus, robotics is the science and the study of robots, their design, application as well as the technology behind them. As a field of study, robotics requires the knowledge of other branches of science such as physics, electronics and mechanics. People working in the field of robotics, are coming up with ways to make robots mimic and even surpass human action. After being programmed properly, robots have the capability to ‘think’ for themselves. Based on their data and stored knowledge, robots can assess a situation and respond to a circumstance. For example, some robots have the ability to learn from their mistakes. Once it has committed an error, a robot stores the event in his data bank to ensure that the mistake will not happen again. As technology becomes better and processors become faster, new and improved robots will soon be available.
Currently, most robots are confined to doing a single specific task, whether it is stacking up cars, detonating land mines or walking on Mars. But are robots on their way to replacing humans? To a certain degree, they are - but in a good way. Robots are doing the dangerous and boring jobs that we do not want to do. Incapable of boredom and programmable for repetitive tasks, robots are perfect for those precise yet monotonous jobs such as assembling semiconductors, painting car bodies and packaging foods.
The current goal of roboticists is to create what is known as a universal robot, or a robot that can do virtually everything that a human being is capable of. Thus, the technology of robotics is indeed promising and progressive – and it is only going to get even more revolutionary.
So what will the future of robotics be like? Will they live up to their potential and become man’s next best friend and trusty companion? Or will Hollywood’s wild imagination of murderous androids come true? The grim predictions are highly unlikely and many believe that robots will become a far more indispensable part of our future.
Many robots will be produced for safety and entertainment purposes. In fact, South Korea is well on its way to perfecting the first multifunctional home robot, and intends it to be available to every home by 2020. Sony now has the impressive and amusing Aibo, a robotic dog that even develops its own personality the more it interacts with its owner. Manufacturers are targeting the consumer market and focusing their developments in making robots do the vacuuming or lawn mowing on their own. Soon, robots will clean your house from top to bottom, while being equipped with sensors to size up a room and bypass furniture and stairs. Your automated housekeeper can chomp through grass, teach your child a new language and automatically park your car. Definitely a whole new world of convenience.
Are you ready for robots to move in?
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