Related topics: japan , computer science , artificial intelligence , facial expressions
Robot
hideRobot is a virtual or mechanical artificial agent. In practice, it is usually an electro-mechanical system which, by its appearance or movements, conveys a sense that it has intent or agency of its own. The word robot can refer to both physical robots and virtual software agents, but the latter are usually referred to as bots. There is no consensus on which machines qualify as robots, but there is general agreement among experts and the public that robots tend to do some or all of the following: move around, operate a mechanical limb, sense and manipulate their environment, and exhibit intelligent behavior, especially behavior which mimics humans or other animals. In South Africa, robot is an informal and commonly used term for a set of traffic lights.
Stories of artificial helpers and companions and attempts to create them have a long history but fully autonomous machines only appeared in the 20th century. The first digitally operated and programmable robot, the Unimate, was installed in 1961 to lift hot pieces of metal from a die casting machine and stack them. Today, commercial and industrial robots are in widespread use performing jobs more cheaply or with greater accuracy and reliability than humans. They are also employed for jobs which are too dirty, dangerous or dull to be suitable for humans. Robots are widely used in manufacturing, assembly and packing, transport, earth and space exploration, surgery, weaponry, laboratory research, and mass production of consumer and industrial goods.
Modern robots are usually used in tightly controlled environments such as on assembly lines because they have difficulty responding to unexpected interference. Because of this, most humans rarely encounter robots. However, domestic robots for cleaning and maintenance are increasingly common in and around homes in developed countries, particularly in Japan. Robots can also be found in the military.
For more information about Robot, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
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News tagged with robot
Moving video to 'captcha' robot hackers
Technology / Computer Sciences
15 hours ago |
3 / 5 (1) |
1
We see the popular "captcha" security mechanism often ― wavy letters websites ask us to type into a box. It's used by web pages and newsletter sign-up forms to prevent computer robots from hacking into servers and databases. ...
Glider robot a sleek ocean explorer
Space & Earth / Earth Sciences
Dec 27, 2009 |
4.6 / 5 (14) |
2
The sea was heaving, the skies gray. The captain of the research ship was worried about the weather. About 120 miles off the coast of Spain, three Rutgers University scientists had a narrow window of opportunity to find and ...
Japanese researcher unveils 'hummingbird robot'
Dec 28, 2009 |
4.6 / 5 (12) |
1
Japanese researchers said Monday they had developed a "hummingbird robot" that can flutter around freely in mid-air with rapid wing movements.
Cockroaches offer inspiration for running robots
Dec 28, 2009 |
4.8 / 5 (4) |
0
The sight of a cockroach scurrying for cover may be nauseating, but the insect is also a biological and engineering marvel, and is providing researchers at Oregon State University with what they call "bioinspiration" ...
Ladder-walking locusts show big brains aren't always best
Dec 24, 2009 |
5 / 5 (7) |
1
Scientists have shown for the first time that insects, like mammals, use vision rather than touch to find footholds. They made the discovery thanks to high-speed video cameras - technology the BBC uses to ...
Motorized knee can make you run faster
Dec 22, 2009 |
4.3 / 5 (11) |
6
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists at the Tsukuba University in Japan have come up with a motorized knee you can attach to your leg to make you run faster and use less muscle power.
Japanese Store Selling Custom-Made Robots That Look Like Their Owners
Dec 14, 2009 |
4.2 / 5 (11) |
5
(PhysOrg.com) -- Department store competition is fierce in Japan during the winter holidays, with every store trying to come up with the most attention-catching promotional campaign. This year, the department ...
Swimming Bacteria Could Become Model for Micromachines
Dec 21, 2009 |
5 / 5 (2) |
0
(PhysOrg.com) -- UConn researchers say Spiroplasma's propulsion style is optimal for converting energy into motion.
Eureqa, the robot scientist (w/ Video)
Technology / Computer Sciences
Dec 07, 2009 |
4.9 / 5 (15) |
3
(PhysOrg.com) -- A new program, Eureqa, takes raw data and formulates scientific laws to suit, and it is available by free download to all scientists.
Supermarket robot to help the elderly (w/ Video)
Dec 17, 2009 |
4.8 / 5 (6) |
1
(PhysOrg.com) -- Robovie-II, a retail-assistant robot designed to help elderly and disabled people shop in supermarkets, is being tested in Kyoto, in Japan.
National Robotics Engineering Center Demonstrates the Future of Smart Work
Dec 21, 2009 |
5 / 5 (3) |
0
The National Robotics Engineering Center, (NREC) at Carnegie Mellon University is at the forefront of partnering man with technology to improve safety and costs. Among the completed projects are, the Caisson ...
Slam dunk for future smart robots
Dec 14, 2009 |
5 / 5 (4) |
0
(PhysOrg.com) -- 'What does the world look like' and 'where am I' are two questions robots must solve if they are to act autonomously in an unknown environment. Work by European researchers will help future ...
Researchers Hope to Mass-Produce Tiny Robots
Aug 28, 2009 |
4.8 / 5 (27) |
31
(PhysOrg.com) -- Tiny robots the size of a flea could one day be mass-produced, churned out in swarms and programmed for a variety of applications, such as surveillance, micromanufacturing, medicine, cleaning, ...
Ski Robot Could Decipher the Art of Skiing
Jul 20, 2009 |
4.4 / 5 (8) |
5
(PhysOrg.com) -- Watching an Olympic skier perform a downhill slalom, turning smoothly around the flags, makes the sport seem just as much an art as a science. Although advanced skiers know how to turn effectively, ...
Living Safely with Robots, Beyond Asimov's Laws
Jun 22, 2009 |
4.8 / 5 (85) |
40
(PhysOrg.com) -- "In 1981, a 37-year-old factory worker named Kenji Urada entered a restricted safety zone at a Kawasaki manufacturing plant to perform some maintenance on a robot. In his haste, he failed ...
