What's a Robot?
Origin of the word robot: Etymology: Czech, from robota
compulsory labor; akin to Old High German arabeit trouble, Latin
orbus orphaned.
A robot can be explained as:
- A machine that looks like a human being and performs various
complex acts (as walking or talking) of a human being.
- A similar, but fictional machine whose lack of capacity for
human emotions is often emphasized.
- An efficient insensitive person who functions
automatically.
- A device that automatically performs complicated often
repetitive tasks.
- A mechanism guided by automatic controls (Merriam-Webster
Online Dictionary).
- A robot can be defined as a programmable machine with
manipulators and sensors. Manipulators are mechanical instruments
that may influence the surroundings of the robot whilst sensors
perceive the surroundings.
More
information on Robotic Systems
Three Laws of Robotics
The word robot was first used in the play R.U.R. (Rossum's
Universal Robots) written by a Czech, Karel Capek, in 1920.
The Russian-born science fiction writer Isaac Asimov is the
author of Three Laws of Robotics:
- A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction,
allow a human being to come to harm.
- A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except
where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
- A robot must protect its own existence as long as such
protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
An additional law was added after the initial three laws:
- A robot may not injure humanity or, through inaction, allow
humanity to come to harm. Isaac Asimov has once said: "Many writers
of robot stories, without actually quoting the three laws, take
them for granted, and expect the readers to do the same.
Today
Today, robotic systems are used in a variety of ways and not
only as equipment in industrial production environments and for
Mars landings. Robotic systems are penetrating people's everyday
life through vacuum cleaners, lawnmowers, toys, playgrounds and
rehabilitation equipment. Soon they will be an integrated part of
people's daily activities whether people are in their homes, urban
spaces, sports clubs, theatres or hospitals.