Robotics for the Uninitiated

When people hear the word “robot,” they immediately see images of Irona, Richie Rich’s maid or the Terminator. Images of an entity with human-like appearance but with super human abilities are conjured up. In reality however, the term “robot,” encompasses so much more than just humanoid or android beings. Furthermore, most people are intimidated when they encounter anything related to robotics. It is true, it can be a complicated subject so most people, for convenience, assume it simply means androids. Origins of Robotics First, what exactly is robotics? Robotics, in the simplest of explanations, involves the design and creation of robots. It also involves the study of how robots can be used to perform a variety of functions. A robot is a mechanical device designed to automate tasks that are usually performed by people. The first industrial robot to be created was Unimate, which was utilized to perform tasks in an automotive company. It was created by Unimation, a company formed by Charles Devol and Joseph Engelberger. After the success of Unimate, companies started investing in robotics for their manufacturing operations. Types of Robots There are many types of robots now in existence, each with specific functions. – Industrial Robots. Industrial robots are widely used in the manufacturing industry. Many of the tasks involved in production entail speed and accuracy as well as repetition, which is why robots are heavily relied upon to perform these tasks. Some of the industries that use robotics extensively are: – Automobile industry – Medical industry – Food and Beverage manufacturing – Pharmaceuticals – Service Robots. There are service robots devoted for personal use as well as those tasked to perform professional functions. Two of the most popular service robots designed are Asimo, a walking humanoid and Aibo, a robot dog. Other areas where these types of robots are applied are in: – Patient care – Military functions – Underwater jobs – Telerobots. Telerobots are ideal for jobs that are highly dangerous or difficult to accomplish so they are often manipulated via a remote control device. Telerobots are used extensively in outer space exploration and military operations. Other uses for telerobots include: – Bomb diffusion – Surveillance – Certain types of surgery – Rescue operations such as the scouting of survivors in a burned building – Mobile Robots. Mobile robots are also known as automated guided vehicles and are used to carry materials on a given location. The more advanced versions can be manipulated to function independently using an installed map as a guide. – Agricultural Robots. These robots are still in the development stages but designers foresee that these equipments can soon be used for tasks such as planting and harvesting. Advantages of Robots Robotics affords the human population a lot of benefits. In the business sector alone, robotics counts for much of the profitability of companies as robots enhance productivity and quality. In critical areas such as the medical field, the use of robotics is significant not only to medical practitioners but also to patients. Robotics systems are a viable way to ensure that patients get the best medical devices, medicine and medical procedures.

History of Toy Robots

Times have certainly changed – just look at what kids are playing with these days. While toy cars and dolls may still keep youngsters entertained, popular playthings of the new generation include video games, remote control toys, and toy robots.

The origin of toy robots can be traced back to the development of robots. One of the earliest robots was an automaton invented by Frenchman Jacques de Vaucanson in 1738. He made a self-automating mechanical duck that was able to eat and digest grain, flap its wings, and excrete. In Japan, Hisashige Tanaka created an assortment of extremely complex mechanical toys, some of which were capable of firing arrows, serving tea, or even painting a Japanese character.

In the 1930s, Westinghouse Electric Corporation built a humanoid robot. The robot, called Elektro, was exhibited at the World’s Fair during 1939 and 1940. From 1948 to 1949, William Grey Walter of the Burden Neurological Institute at Bristol, England developed the first electronic autonomous robots. Named Elmer and Elsie, these “turtle robots” could sense light and contact with external objects. They were also capable of finding their charging station when their battery power ran low.

The first truly modern robot that was digitally operated, programmable, and teachable was invented by George Devol in 1954. His robot was called the Unimate, which he sold to General Motors in 1960. In 1961, it was installed in a plant in Trenton, New Jersey to lift hot pieces of metal from a die casting machine and stack them.

In 1985, the Tomy Kyogo Company created the Omnibot 2000, a toy robot that could be controlled with a hand-held remote control or through programs stored on magnetic tape. In the late 1990s, AIBO the robotic dog was introduced by Sony. AIBO was capable of autonomously navigating a room and playing ball using its sensor array. Other pet robots soon followed. Tiger Electronics created the Furby in 1998, a pet toy that could communicate with its owner. In 2001, Omron released the robotic cat NeCoRo as a competitor to AIBO. It had Mind and Consciousness (MaC) technology, enabling it to generate feelings.

Toy robots have certainly come a long way from Jacques de Vaucanson’s mechanical duck over two centuries ago. They are a more common sight nowadays, and it is without a doubt that we will continue to see more of toy robots in the years to come.