Types of robots and what they do

 

 

Stretching back several years ago, around the 1920s, the term robot was first coined.  This is when Karel Capek’s play, R.U.R., or Rossum’s Universal Robots, was translated into English. Since then, robotics has developed into a huge field of study and has been used to build many different types of machines with varying degrees of autonomy from human control and awareness of their surroundings. Here are some types of robots that you might not have known about before now!

 

What is a robot?

A robot is a machine--electrical or mechanical--that performs one or more complex human tasks. The term robot comes from Karel Capek’s play, R.U.R., about artificial people called robots (the word was coined by Capek).

Today, robots are frequently used in manufacturing and in electronics assembly; as automated machines used to perform dull, dirty, or dangerous tasks; and as computerized assistants that can take on some intelligent characteristics (such as voice recognition) while interacting with humans and other computers. There are four types of robots you didn't know existed

 

1.     1.  Industrial robots

Although industrial robots are often thought of as just mechanical arms that factory workers use to move heavy equipment, these machines are increasingly used in all types of industries. A good example would be self-driving cars. These cars typically have numerous computers and sensors that tell them what’s going on around them, so much so that a car with no human driver can drive safely on a busy highway.

 One could argue that it is an industrial robot, just one made for non-manufacturing purposes. This type of robot is also becoming popular in restaurants because they allow restaurant owners to cut costs by having fewer waiters or cooks while also increasing efficiency by ensuring dishes are prepared at precisely the right time. Restaurant patrons aren’t likely to see most of these types of robots—but their food will arrive faster and taste better. 

And if you work in manufacturing, there’s a good chance you already know what an industrial robot looks like: They come in many shapes and sizes but most look like tall boxes with multiple robotic arms attached. Some may even remind you of C-3PO from Star Wars!

 

2.      2. Packaging robots

Packaging robots have emerged, which are specialized machines meant to pack boxes for delivery more quickly and accurately than a human worker could. These bots tend to be compact, meaning they can fit into spaces where larger robots wouldn’t be able to go. For example, you might see them in warehouses or factories—but if you live in Japan, it’s possible you already have one at home!

 There are two types of consumer-grade packaging robots on the market: carton sealing systems and palletizing systems. The former seal cardboard boxes shut after products have been placed inside; these typically work with smaller items like books or electronics. Palletizing systems, meanwhile, make use of robotic arms to place objects onto a flat surface (such as a pallet) in an organized manner. This helps keep shipping costs down by reducing the number of trips needed to move goods from point A to point B.

 

3.     3. Medical Robots

Unlike their mechanical counterparts, medical robots are designed to help doctors and surgeons complete procedures. While they may sound futuristic, medical robots have actually been around for years and can be found in hospitals around the world.

As technology improves, so do medical robots—and scientists are beginning to develop surgical droids that can perform more complex operations. There is no denying that the future of medicine is bright! 

4.      4. Personal assistant robots

Personal assistant robots are not just for sci-fi movies. Many technology companies have taken notice and are developing machines that can perform a variety of functions. From vacuum cleaners to alarm clocks, personal assistant robots have been developed to do everything from cooking to keeping tabs on your children’s homework assignments!

Personal assistant robots may become commonplace in homes across America as families embrace new technologies. While many people think of these devices as luxury items, some believe they will soon be more affordable than smartphones.

Some critics worry about the implications of so many personal robot assistants in our daily lives, but most experts agree that it is too early to tell what type of impact these bots will have on society. What do you think? Will we soon be living with our own personal robot assistants? Or should we stick to using apps on our phones? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

5    5. Humanoid robots

First designed in Japan in 1979, humanoid robots are a broad category of a robot with a head and two legs. Generally, these are smaller and lighter than other types of industrial robots, which usually weigh around 300 lbs.

They’re useful for many applications that require mobility. For example, they may be deployed in environments where it would be dangerous or impractical to send humans—for example, they may be tasked to explore distant planets or areas affected by nuclear meltdowns. In some cases, humanoids have even been outfitted with artificial intelligence (AI) so they can work alongside humans.

  

Conclusion

With more and more automation taking place in today’s society, it’s important to remember that there are still some amazing robots out there! We’ve shown you a few types that exist today; how many others can you think of?

Take a look around your city, at home, and at work—you never know what futuristic bots might be standing right in front of you. We want to hear from you. Tell us about your favorite type of robot in our comments section below.