First of all, let’s know the answer to the question “what is robotics?” So the Robotics is the department of engineering which deals with the designing, manufacturing and applications of robots. Mainly, it includes computer science engineering, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.
So now, you may ask what is a robot? A robot is nothing but a machine that can operate automatically and carry out specific tasks. Though robots may or may not look like human beings. They help human beings in a certain task or mimics human actions.
The best place to use a robot is where the working condition is hazardous for humans. Initially, the robots were created to carry out the monotonous tasks in the assembly line in the automobile industry. But as time passed, robots are utilized beyond their initial uses.
Uses of robots include cleaning the floor of a home, assisting human in fire fighting as well as performing complex surgeries, to name a few. So now let’s move on to the next section which is the history of robotics.
History of Robotics:
(image credit: britannica.com)
The concept of robots has its roots since the ancient days. The word robot was first introduced by Karl Čapek. He was a Czech writer, playwright and critic. In his play, Rossum’s Universal Robots (R.U.R.) the word robot was introduced. That play in starting describes a factory that makes artificial people known as Roboti (Robots).
Although he was not optimistic about the relation of robots with human which was clearly reflected in his R.U.R. play. Another writer, Isaac Asimov coined the term “Robotics” in his story “Liar!”. Now let us see the types of robots that exist.
Types of Robots:
1. Pre-programmed Robots:
This kind of robots usually works in a controlled environment. Moreover, they are designed specifically for the simple and monotonous task. These robots can be seen easily in the automotive industry. Where they can perform a single task, be it fixing parts of the machine or welding a door in a vehicle. It does the task faster, efficient and better than human.
2. Humanoid Robots:
The term Humanoid has already given you the hint about this kind of robot. This kind of robots may or may not appears as a human. And performs human-like activities like jumping, running and carrying objects. They can have a face as well, express human emotions. Such one, well known humanoid robot is Hanson’s Robotics Sophia (in the image below).
( image credit: London speaker Bureau)
3. Autonomous Robots:
Autonomous robots are also known by another name which is auto robot or Autobot. These types of robot don’t require human operators. Autonomous robotics is usually considered a sub-category of Artificial Intelligence. They take the help of sensors to take information about the environment. Then they employ a decision-making structure to take the best possible step.
4. Remote Controlled Robots:
These types of robots are used where autonomous robots cannot perform the task. It requires the intelligence of the human mind to perform complicated task. With the help of remote control, human operators give the command to robots and robots performs the tasks accordingly.
Application of Robotics:
Manufacturing Industries:
In manufacturing Industries the use of robots is not new but in fact, they are used in factories for many years. Robots like UNIMATE was the first robot which was implemented by most of the manufacturers in the year 1962. Moreover, the global size of the market for industrial robots is expected to grow by 101.72 billion US dollars by 2027 as per Statista.
( image credit: ieee.org)
Robotics in Surgery:
Surgeons are always in the need of steady hands while operating on the patients. Even slight disturbance in the movement of hands may or may not cause damage to the patient’s organs. However, there are no fully autonomous robots are present in the area of surgery. But there are several robots to support human surgeons while operating on patients.
Robotics in Space Exploration:
Out in space, there are several dangerous things are present that astronauts cannot come in direct contact with. So here comes the role of robots, they can explore various planets roam free on the surface of mars without any problem. Since robots can perform the task on their own and require little to no human guidance. For the context of space exploration robots are well-suited machines. Space Institution like NASA time to time sends robots for space exploration.
Home:
The concept of robots in the home is not science-fiction anymore, There are several autonomous vacuum cleaners is present that can clean the home quickly and efficiently. An example of a robotic vacuum cleaner is Roomba.
Food Preparation:
Robotic chefs are no more in the story, it can cook dishes like a master chef. You just have to sit back and relax and all the things are to be carried out by a robotic Chef. A Robotics company named Moley Robotics is a company that produces a robotic kitchen with a robot.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, we can say that field of robotics is helping us a lot in many different ways. In this post, I have listed 5 application or ways by which it is helping human beings. Obviously, there are a lot many ways by which robotics is helping us that include applications like travel, military, entertainment and agriculture.
Featured Image credit: Edited From Technology vector created by stories – www.freepik.com
