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A robot is a machine designed to perform autonomous tasks. Robots vary in form and function. Though the term often brings to mind robots designed to imitate human form and appearance (an android), most robots in current use are designed merely for function and to supplement or replace humans in specific tasks and environments. Industrial robots are regularly used in manufacturing.

History

The first robots date back to ancient Greece. Designers like Ctesibus created mechanical organs, water clocks and figures. These objects however, were mainly for entertainment.

The term "robot" is credited to Czech writer Karel Capek though the word may have been coined by his brother, Josef. The term refers to the Czech word for serf, or slave. In Karel Capek's play, "R.U.R." or "Rossum's Universal Robots", the use of robots becomes widespread and leads to mass unemployment and social unrest.

The term "robotics" is credited to Isaac Asimov and was first used in his short story, "Runaround", published in 1942.

The first industrial robots emerged during WWII. The "Unimate" was the brainchild of Joseph F. Engelberger and George C. Devol, both inspired by the stories of Isaac Asimov. The two encouraged Norman Schafler of Condec Corporation in the development of a working autonomous robot. The result was the Unimate, designed to extract die castings from die casting machines and to perform spot welding on auto bodies. The machine was first installed at General Motors and met with enormous success.

Types

• Mobile –
• Industrial –
• Domestic –
• Androids –

Fiction

Representation of robotics in fiction varies widely though perhaps the most lasting impressions are often negative visions of a future ruled by advanced robots who have turned against man. Such representations are so prevalent they have become a sub-genre of their own represented in such series as Battlestar Galactica, Stargate SG-1 (Replicators), and the film series The Terminator, and The Matrix.

Literature

• I, Robot (Book)

Films

• Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001)
• Blade Runner (1982)
• The Day the Earth Stood Still (1956)
• The Terminator (1984)
• I, Robot (Movie) (2004)
• The Matrix (1999)
• RoboCop (1987)
• Robots (2005)
• Short Circuit (1986)
• Star Wars – C3PO, R2D2 (1977)

Television

• Battlestar Galactica – Cylons
• Futurama – Bender
• Stargate SG-1 – Replicators, Asurans
• Doctor Who – Cybermen, K-9, Kamelion, Movellans
• Star Trek – Borg
• Transformers

Related Topics

• Artificial Intelligence
• Androids & Cyborgs
• Biomechanics
• Cybernetics
• Nanotechnology
• Robot Characters

External Links

• University of Texas at Austin - Robotics history

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