1. What actually is a robot? When different persons have different concepts of
robots, the only way of deciding what really is a robot is to look for a definition of the
term robot.
The dictionary meaning of a robot is that it is an automatic apparatus or device that
performs functions ordinarily ascribed to human beings or operates with what
appears to be almost-human intelligence. It is interesting to observe that this
meaning does not give a human shape to the robot. In order to dramatise the fact
that the robot does the work of a human being, a human shape is given to the robot
in science-fiction stories and movies. The human shape is irrelevant as far as the
functions of the robot are concerned.
The Robot Institute of America, which is an association of several robot
manufacturers gives the following definition of an industrial robot.
“An industrial robot is a reprogrammable, multifunctional manipulator designed to
move material, parts, tools or specialised devices through variable programmed
motions for the performance of a variety oftasks. ”
The key word in this definition is ‘reprogrammable’. This means that a robot is
capable of being reprogrammed. This feature is the one that distinguishes it from a
fixed automation. A fixed automation is designed to do one, and only one, specific
task. If the specifications of the tasks change even slightly, the fixed automation
becomes incapable of performing the task it was designed to perform according to
one fixed specification. However, a robot can be reprogrammed to perform even
when the specifications are changed drastically. The original program is simply
erased and the new program takes care of the changed tasks.
The characteristic that a robot can be reprogrammed to handle a variety of tasks
makes the robot a flexible device. Because of the flexibility offered by robots,
manufacturing systems which use robots are called Flexible Manufacturing Systems
(FMS).
Karel Capek was responsible for introducing the word robot. Sir Isaac Asimov is the
one who coined the word robotics. According to Asimov, robotics is the science of
dealing with robots. Hence robotics involves a scientific study of robots. The study
includes design, selection of materials of proper quality for the components,
fabrication, study of various motors required for moving the components, design of
electronic circuits, computers and computer programming, and control of robots.
Since robots and robotics are still in the developing stages, a considerable amount of
research is required and is being pursued. Robotics involves various disciplinesmechanical engineering, material science, electronics, computer science, computer
engineering, and control systems, to name just a few. Depending on the area in
which robots are to be used, robotics includes disciplines such as biology, medical
science, psychology, agriculture, mining, outer space engineering etc.
Basically, there are two types of robots: fixed and mobile. A fixed robot is attached to
a stationary platform. A fixed robot is analogous to a human standing or sitting in
one fixed location while doing his work with his hands. A mobile robot moves from
place to place. Mobility is given to robots by providing wheels or legs or other
crawling mechanisms. A mobile robot can be given a human shape, but the
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Answer:
A robot is a device which is invented to help humans . Some of robots are also used for helping in domestic works , in factories, etc.Normally, robots are made of metals but its shape depend on the inventer wish.
Explanation:
A robot is a device that is used for human help in calculating, domestic works, storing information, etc. depend on its kind
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