View source for Robot

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{{Infobox Machine
| name           = Robot
| image          = HONDA ASIMO.jpg
| caption        = [[ASIMO]], a [[humanoid]] robot.
| classification =
| industry       = Automotive, Medical
| application    =
| dimensions     =
| weight         =
| fuel_source    = [[Electric]]
| powered        = Yes
| self-propelled = Yes
| wheels         =
| tracks         =
| legs           =
| aerofoils      =
| axles          =
| components     =
| invented       = 1206
| inventor       =
| examples       =
}}

A '''robot''' is an [[automation|automatically]] guided [[machine]] which is able to do tasks on its own, almost always due to electronically-programmed instructions. Another common characteristic is that by its appearance or movements, a robot often conveys a sense that it has [[Intention|intent]] or [[Agency (philosophy)|agency]] of its own.<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ROBOT "ROBOT" Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2010.]</ref><ref>[http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/robot American Heritage Dictionary]</ref>

==Origins==
[[Image:Leonardo Da Vinci Robot Leonardo3 2008-1.jpg|thumb|130px|Building the robot of Leonardo da Vinci]]
Since the beginnings of civilisation man has had a fascination for a human-like creation that would assist him. Societies in the early part of the first millennium engaged in slavery and used those slaves to perform the tasks which were either dirty or menial labours. Having slaves freed the enslavers to carry on their society and concentrate on what they perceived as more important tasks such as business and politics. Man had discovered mechanics and the means of creating complex mechanisms which would perform repetitive functions such as waterwheels and pumps. Technological advances were slow but there were more complex machines, generally limited to a very small number, which performed more grandiose functions such as those invented by [[Hero of Alexandria]].

In the first half of the second millennium man began to develop more complex machines as well as rediscovering the [[Ancient Greek technology|Greek engineering]] methods. Men such as [[Leonardo Da Vinci]] in 1495 through to [[Jacques de Vaucanson]] in 1739 have made plans for, and built, automata and robots leading to books of designs such as the Japanese ''Karakuri zui'' (''Illustrated Machinery'') in 1796. As mechanical techniques developed through the Industrial age we find more practical applications such as [[Nikola Tesla]] in 1898 who designed a radio-controlled torpedo and the [[Westinghouse Electric Corporation]] creation Televox in 1926. From here we find a more [[android (robot)|android]] development as designers tried to mimic more human-like features including designs such as those of biologist Makoto Nishimura in 1929 and his creation [[Gakutensoku]], which cried and changed its facial expressions, and the more crude [[Elektro]] from Westinghouse in 1938.

Electronics now became the driving force of development instead of mechanics with the advent of the first electronic [[autonomous robot]]s created by [[William Grey Walter]] in [[Bristol]], [[England]] in 1948. The first digital and programmable robot was invented by [[George Devol]] in 1954 and was ultimately called the [[Unimate]]. Devol sold the first Unimate to [[General Motors]] in 1960 where it was used to lift pieces of hot metal from [[die casting]] machines in a plant in [[Trenton, New Jersey]].

Since then we have seen robots finally reach a more true assimilation of all technologies to produce robots such as [[ASIMO]] which can walk and move like a human. Robots have replaced slaves in the assistance of performing those repetitive and dangerous tasks which humans prefer not to do or unable to do due to size limitations or even those such as in outer space or at the bottom of the sea where humans could not survive the extreme environments.

Robots come in those two basic forms: Those which are used to make or move things, such as [[Industrial robots]] or [[Mobile robot|mobile]] or [[Domestic robot|servicing robots]] and those which are used for research into human-like robots such as ASIMO and [[TOPIO]] as well as those into more defined and specific roles such as Nano robots and Swarm robots.

Man has developed a fear of the autonomous robot and how it may react in society, such as [[Mary Shelley|Shelley]]'s [[Frankenstein]] and the [[Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot|EATR]], and yet we still use robots in a wide variety of tasks such as vacuuming floors, mowing lawns, cleaning drains, investigating other planets, building cars, entertainment and in warfare.

==Etymology==
{{See also|Robots in literature}}
[[File:Capek play.jpg|thumb|A scene from [[Karel Čapek]]'s 1920 play [[R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots)]], showing three robots]]
The word ''robot'' was introduced to the public by [[Czechoslovakia|Czech]] writer [[Karel Čapek]] in his play ''[[R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots)]]'', published in [[1920]].<ref name="KapekWebsite"/> The play begins in a [[factory]] that makes artificial people called ''robots'', but they are closer to the modern ideas of [[androids]], creatures who can be mistaken for humans. They can plainly think for themselves, though they seem happy to serve. At issue is whether the ''robots'' are being [[Exploitation|exploited]] and the consequences of their treatment.

Karel Čapek himself did not coin the word. He wrote a short letter in reference to an [[etymology]] in the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'' in which he named his brother, the painter and writer [[Josef Capek|Josef Čapek]], as its actual originator.<ref name="KapekWebsite">{{cite web|url=http://capek.misto.cz/english/robot.html|first=Dominik|last=Zunt|title=Who did actually invent the word "robot" and what does it mean?|publisher=The Karel Čapek website|accessdate=2007-09-11}}</ref>

In an article in the Czech journal ''[[Lidové noviny]]'' in 1933, he explained that he had originally wanted to call the creatures ''laboři'' ("workers", from [[Latin]] ''labor''). However, he did not like the word, and sought advice from his brother Josef, who suggested "roboti".  The word ''robota'' means literally "work", "labor" or "[[corvée]]", "serf labor", and figuratively "drudgery" or "hard work" in [[Czech language|Czech]] and many [[Slavic languages]]. Traditionally the ''robota'' was the work period a serf ([[corvée]]) had to give for his lord, typically 6 months of the year. Including [[Slovak language|Slovak]], [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]], Russian and Polish.  The origin of the word is the [[Old Church Slavonic]] ''rabota'' "servitude" ("work" in contemporary [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]] and Russian), which in turn comes from the [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] root <ref>[http://www.bartleby.com/61/roots/IE363.html ''*orbh-'']</ref>  [[Serfdom]] was outlawed in 1848 in [[Bohemia]], so at the time Čapek wrote ''R.U.R.'', usage of the term ''robota'' had broadened to include various types of work, but the obsolete sense of "serfdom" would still have been known.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.karelcapek.net/rur.htm |title=Čapek's R.U.R. |publisher=Karelcapek.net |accessdate=2008-07-15}}</ref><ref>''Robot'' is [[cognate]] with the German word ''Arbeiter'' (worker).  In Hungary, the ''robot'' was a [[feudal]] service, similar to [[corvee]] which was rendered to local [[magnate]]s by [[peasant]]s every year. {{cite web|url=http://www.age-of-the-sage.org/history/1848/reaction.html|title=The Dynasties recover power|accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref>

The word [[robotics]], used to describe this field of study, was coined by the [[science fiction]] writer [[Isaac Asimov]]. Asimov also created the "''[[Three Laws of Robotics]]''" which are a recurring theme in his books. These have since been used by many others to define laws used in fact and fiction. Introduced in his 1942 short story "[[Runaround]]" the Laws state the following:
{{cquote|
#A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.                             
#A robot must obey any orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
#A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
}}

==History==
{{Main|History of robots}}
Many ancient mythologies include artificial people, such as the mechanical servants built by the Greek god [[Hephaestus]]<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/?id=h5tKJvApybsC&pg=PA114&lpg=PA114&dq=hephaestus+handmaidens|title=Ancient Greek Ideas on Speech, Language, and Civilization|author=Deborah Levine Gera|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2003|isbn=978-0199256167}}</ref> ([[Vulcan (mythology)|Vulcan]] to the Romans), the clay [[golem]]s of Jewish legend and clay giants of Norse legend, and [[Galatea (mythology)|Galatea]], the mythical statue of [[Pygmalion (mythology)|Pygmalion]] that came to life. In Greek drama, [[Deus Ex Machina]] was contrived as a dramatic device that usually involved lowering a deity by wires into the play to solve a seemingly impossible problem.

The beginning of the robots may be traced to the Greek engineer [[Ctesibius]].<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/find_out/guides/tech/robots/newsid_3914000/3914569.stm Robots then and now]". BBC.</ref> In the 4th century BC, the [[Greek mathematics|Greek]] mathematician [[Archytas]] of Tarentum postulated a mechanical steam-operated bird he called "The Pigeon". [[Hero of Alexandria]] {{nowrap|(10–70 AD)}}, a Greek mathematician and inventor, created numerous user-configurable automated devices, and described machines powered by air pressure, steam and water.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/history/Biographies/Heron.html | author=O'Connor, J.J. and E.F. Robertson | title=Heron biography | accessdate=2008-09-05 | work=The MacTutor History of Mathematics archive }}</ref>  [[Su Song]] built a clock tower in China in 1088 featuring mechanical figurines that chimed the hours.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://physics.nist.gov/GenInt/Time/early.html |title=Earliest Clocks |work=A Walk Through Time |accessdate=2008-08-11 |publisher=NIST Physics Laboratory}}</ref>

In the 3rd century BC text of the Lie Zi, there is a curious account on automata involving a much earlier encounter between [[King Mu of Zhou]] (Chinese emperor 10th century BC) and a mechanical engineer known as Yan Shi , an 'artificer'. The latter proudly presented the king with a life-size, human-shaped figure of his mechanical 'handiwork' made of leather, wood, and artificial organs.<ref name="needham volume 2 53">Needham, Volume 2, 53.</ref>

[[Al-Jazari]] (1136–1206), a [[Muslim inventions|Muslim inventor]] during the [[Artuqid dynasty]], designed and constructed a number of automated machines, including kitchen appliances, musical automata powered by [[water]], and programmable automata.<ref name=Fowler/><ref name=Sharkey>Professor Noel Sharkey, [http://www.shef.ac.uk/marcoms/eview/articles58/robot.html A 13th Century Programmable Robot], [[University of Sheffield]].</ref>  The robots appeared as four musicians on a boat in a lake, entertaining guests at royal drinking parties. His [[machine|mechanism]] had a programmable drum machine with pegs ([[cam]]s) that bumped into little [[lever]]s that operated [[percussion instrument]]s.  The drummer could be made to play different rhythms and different drum patterns by moving the pegs to different locations.<ref name=Fowler/><ref name=Sharkey/>

<div align="center"><gallery widths="280">
Image:Al-jazari robots.jpg|[[Al-Jazari|Al-Jazari's]] programmable humanoid robots
Image:KarakuriBritishMuseum.jpg|Tea-serving [[Karakuri ningyō|karakuri]], with mechanism, 19th century. [[Tokyo National Science Museum]].
Image:Unimate.jpg|''The first Unimate''
</gallery></div>

===Early modern developments===
[[Leonardo da Vinci]] (1452–1519) sketched plans for a humanoid robot around 1495.  Da Vinci's notebooks, rediscovered in the 1950s, contain detailed drawings of a mechanical knight now known as [[Leonardo's robot]], able to sit up, wave its arms and move its head and jaw.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leonardo3.net/leonardo/books%20I%20robot%20di%20Leonardo%20-%20Taddei%20Mario%20-%20english%20Leonardo%20robots%201.html|title=Leonardo da Vinci's Robots|publisher=Leonardo3.net|accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref> The design was probably based on anatomical research recorded in his ''[[Vitruvian Man]]''. It is not known whether he attempted to build it.
In 1738 and 1739, [[Jacques de Vaucanson]] exhibited several life-sized automatons: a flute player, a pipe player and a duck.  The mechanical duck could flap its wings, crane its neck, and swallow food from the exhibitor's hand, and it gave the illusion of digesting its food by excreting matter stored in a hidden compartment.<ref>Wood, Gabby. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2002/feb/16/extract.gabywood "Living Dolls: A Magical History Of The Quest For Mechanical Life"], ''[[The Guardian]]'', 2002-02-16.</ref>  Complex mechanical toys and animals built in Japan in the 1700s were described in the ''Karakuri zui'' (''Illustrated Machinery'', 1796)

===Modern developments===
The Japanese craftsman [[Hisashige Tanaka]] (1799–1881), known as "Japan's Edison" or "Karakuri Giemon", created an array of extremely complex mechanical toys, some of which served tea, fired arrows drawn from a quiver, and even painted a Japanese ''kanji'' character.<ref>{{Cite book | author=N. Hornyak, Timothy | authorlink= | coauthors= | title=Loving the Machine: The Art and Science of Japanese Robots | year=2006 | publisher=Kodansha International | location=New York | isbn=4-7700-3012-6 | pages=}}</ref>  In 1898 [[Nikola Tesla]] publicly demonstrated a radio-controlled [[torpedo]].<ref>{{Cite book | author=Cheney, Margaret | authorlink= | coauthors= | title=Tesla, man out of time | year=1989 | publisher=Dorset Press | location=New York  | isbn=0-88029-419-1 | pages=}}</ref>  Based on patents for "teleautomation", Tesla hoped to develop it into a [[weapon system]] for the [[US Navy]].<ref>{{cite patent|US|613809}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=PBS.org |url=http://www.pbs.org/tesla |title=Tesla - Master of Lightning |accessdate=2008-09-24}}</ref>

In 1926, [[Westinghouse Electric Corporation]] created Televox, the first robot put to useful work.  They followed Televox with a number of other simple robots, including one called Rastus, made in the crude image of a black man.  In the 1930s, they created a humanoid robot known as [[Elektro]] for exhibition purposes, including the 1939 and 1940 [[World's Fair]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freetimes.com/stories/13/35/robot-dreams-the-strange-tale-of-a-mans-quest-to-rebuild-his-mechanical-childhood-friend |publisher=The Cleveland Free Times |title=Robot Dreams : The Strange Tale Of A Man's Quest To Rebuild His Mechanical Childhood Friend |accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Robots of Westinghouse: 1924-Today |author=Scott Schaut |publisher=Mansfield Memorial Museum |year=2006 |isbn=0978584414}}</ref>  In 1928, Japan's first robot, [[Gakutensoku]], was designed and constructed by biologist Makoto Nishimura.

The first electronic [[autonomous robot]]s were created by [[William Grey Walter]] of the Burden Neurological Institute at Bristol, England in 1948 and 1949. They were named ''Elmer'' and ''Elsie''. These robots could sense light and contact with external objects, and use these stimuli to navigate.<ref name="gwonline">{{cite web |url=http://www.ias.uwe.ac.uk/Robots/gwonline/gwonline.html |title=The Grey Walter Online Archive |accessdate=2008-09-25 |author=Owen Holland}}</ref>

The first truly modern robot, digitally operated and programmable, was invented by George Devol in 1954 and was ultimately called the [[Unimate]]. Devol sold the first Unimate to [[General Motors]] in 1960, and it was installed in 1961 in a plant in [[Trenton, New Jersey]] to lift hot pieces of [[metal]] from a [[die casting]] machine and stack them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.robothalloffame.org/unimate.html|title=Robot Hall of Fame - Unimate|publisher=Carnegie Mellon University|accessdate=2008-08-28}}</ref>

Commercial and [[industrial robot]]s are now 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emrotechnologies.com/ |title=About us}}</ref>

==Definitions==
The word ''robot'' can refer to both physical robots and [[virtual]] [[software agent]]s, but the latter are usually referred to as [[Internet bot|bots]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atis.org/tg2k/_bot.html|title=Telecom glossary "bot"|publisher=Alliance for Telecommunications Solutions|date=2001-02-28|accessdate=2007-09-05|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070202121608/http://www.atis.org/tg2k/_bot.html|archivedate=2008-07-14}}</ref> 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.

There is no one definition of robot which satisfies everyone and many people have their own.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.virtuar.com/click/2005/robonexus/index.htm|first=Igor|last=Polk|title=RoboNexus 2005 robot exhibition virtual tour|publisher=Robonexus Exhibition 2005|date=2005-11-16|accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref>  For example [[Joseph Engelberger]], a pioneer in industrial robotics, once remarked: "I can't define a robot, but I know one when I see one."<ref>{{cite web|first=Tom|last=Harris|url=http://science.howstuffworks.com/robot.htm|title=How Robots Work|publisher=How Stuff Works|accessdate=2007-09-10}}</ref>  According to the [[Encyclopaedia Britannica]] a robot is "any automatically operated machine that replaces human effort, though it may not resemble human beings in appearance or perform functions in a humanlike manner".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/505818/robot|title=Robot (technology)|publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica Online|accessdate=2008-08-04}}</ref> [[Merriam-Webster]] describes a robot as a "machine that looks like a human being and performs various complex acts (as walking or talking) of a human being", or a "device that automatically performs complicated often repetitive tasks", or a "mechanism guided by automatic controls".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/robot|title=Robot |publisher=Merriam-Webster Dictionary|accessdate=2008-08-04}}</ref>
<div align="center"><gallery widths="280" perrow="4">
Image:Simplified  robottypes.svg|The various types of robots
Image:Knight2000 ex107.jpg|[[KITT]] (a fictitious robot) is mentally anthropomorphic
Image:Asimo look new design.jpg|ASIMO is physically anthropomorphic
</gallery></div>

===Defining characteristics===
While there is no single correct definition of "robot,"<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbc.ca/technology/technology-blog/2007/07/your_view_how_would_you_define.html|title=Your View: How would you define a robot?| publisher=CBC News|date=2007-07-16|  accessdate=2007-09-05}}</ref> a typical robot will have several, or possibly all, of the following characteristics.

It is an electric [[machine]] which has some ability to interact with physical objects and to be given electronic programming to do a specific task or to do a whole range of tasks or actions. It may also have some ability to perceive and absorb data on physical objects, or on its local physical environment, or to process data, or to respond to various stimuli. This is in contrast to a simple mechanical device such as a [[gear]] or a [[hydraulic press]] or any other item which has no processing ability and which does tasks through purely [[Mechanics|mechanical]] processes and motion.

;Mental agency
For robotic engineers, the physical appearance of a machine is less important than the way its actions are [[Control system|controlled]]. The more the control system seems to have [[Agency (philosophy)|agency]] of its own, the more likely the machine is to be called a robot. An important feature of agency is the ability to make choices. Higher-level cognitive functions, though, are not necessary, as shown by [[ant robotics|ant robots]].

* A [[clockwork]] car is never considered a robot.
* A mechanical device able to perform some preset motions but with no ability to adapt (an [[automaton]]) is rarely considered a robot.
* A remotely-operated vehicle is sometimes considered a robot (or [[telerobotics|telerobot]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ranier.hq.nasa.gov/telerobotics_page/realrobots.html|title=Real Robots on the Web|publisher=NASA Space Telerobotics Program|date=1999-10-15|accessdate=2007-09-06}}</ref>
* A car with an onboard computer, like [[Bigtrak]], which could drive in a programmable sequence, might be called a robot.
* A [[Smart car|self-controlled car]] which could sense its environment and make driving decisions based on this information, such as the 1990s [[driverless car]]s of [[Ernst Dickmanns]] or the entries in the [[DARPA Grand Challenge]], would quite likely be called a robot.
* A [[Sentience|sentient]] car, like the fictional [[KITT]], which can make decisions, navigate freely and converse fluently with a human, is usually considered a robot.

;Physical agency
However, for many [[layman|laymen]], if a machine appears to be able to control its arms or limbs, and especially if it appears [[wikt:anthropomorphic|anthropomorphic]] or [[wikt:zoomorphic|zoomorphic]] (e.g. [[ASIMO]] or [[Aibo]]),  it would be called a robot.
* A [[player piano]] is rarely characterized as a robot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wyastone.co.uk/nrl/gp_robot.html|title=The Grand Piano Series: The History of The Robot|publisher=Nimbus Records|accessdate=2007-09-08}}</ref>
* A [[CNC]] milling machine is very occasionally characterized as a robot.
* A [[Factory robot|factory automation arm]] is almost always characterized as an industrial robot.
* An autonomous wheeled or tracked device, such as a self-guided rover or self-guided vehicle, is almost always characterized as a mobile robot or service robot.
* A [[zoomorphic]] mechanical toy, like [[Roboraptor]], is usually characterized as a robot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/29/roboraptor-review-this-one-has-teeth/|title=Roboraptor review - this one has teeth - in the discussion below, several people talk about RoboRaptor as being a real robot.|author=Marc Perton|date=2005-07-29|publisher=Engadget|accessdate=2008-08-07}}</ref>
* A mechanical humanoid, like [[ASIMO]], is almost always characterized as a robot, usually as a service robot.

Even for a 3-axis CNC milling machine using the same control system as a robot arm, it is the arm which is almost always called a robot, while the CNC machine is usually just a machine.  Having eyes can also make a difference in whether a machine is called a robot, since humans instinctively connect eyes with sentience.  However, simply being anthropomorphic is not a sufficient criterion for something to be called a robot.  A robot must do something; an inanimate object shaped like ASIMO would not be considered a robot.

==Modern robots==
[[File:Laproscopic Surgery Robot.jpg|thumb|A [[laparoscopic]] robotic [[surgery]] machine]]

===Mobile robot===
{{Main|Mobile robot|Automated guided vehicle}}
Mobile robots have the capability to move around in their environment and are not fixed to one physical location. An example of a mobile robot that is in common use today is the ''automated guided vehicle'' or '''''automatic guided vehicle''''' (AGV). An AGV is a mobile robot that follows markers or wires in the floor, or uses vision or lasers. AGVs are discussed later in this article.

Mobile robots are also found in industry, military and security environments. They also appear as consumer products, for entertainment or to perform certain tasks like vacuum cleaning. Mobile robots are the focus of a great deal of current research and almost every major university has one or more labs that focus on mobile robot research.

Modern robots are usually used in tightly controlled environments such as on [[assembly line]]s because they have difficulty responding to unexpected interference.  Because of this most humans rarely encounter robots.  However [[domestic robot]]s for cleaning and maintenance are increasingly common in and around homes in developed countries. Robots can also be found in [[military robot|military]] applications.

===Industrial robots (manipulating)===
{{Main|Industrial robot|Service robot}}
[[Industrial robots]] usually consist of a [[jointed arm]] (multi-linked manipulator) and [[Robot end effector|end effector]] that is attached to a fixed surface. One of the most common type of end effector is a [[gripper]] assembly.

<!--''This keeps getting added onto the next sentence. DO NOT confuse the issue - the def in the next sentence is not general for "robot":'' It is difficult to compare numbers of robots in different countries as there are different definitions of what a "robot" is. -->The [[International Organization for Standardization]] gives a definition of a <!-- Please refrain from removing the "industrial" from this sentence. The def in ISO 8373 clearly states "Manipulating industrial robots -- Vocabulary"  --> manipulating industrial robot in [[ISO 8373]]:

"an automatically controlled, reprogrammable, multipurpose, manipulator programmable in three or more axes, which may be either fixed in place or mobile for use in industrial automation applications."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dira.dk/pdf/robotdef.pdf |title=Definition of a robot|format=PDF|publisher=Dansk Robot Forening|accessdate=2007-09-10|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070628064010/http://www.dira.dk/pdf/robotdef.pdf|archivedate=2008-07-15}}</ref>

This definition is used by the [http://www.ifr.org/ International Federation of Robotics], the [[European Robotics Research Network]] (EURON) and many national standards committees.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.euron.org/resources/standards.html |title=Robotics-related Standards Sites |publisher=European Robotics Research Network |accessdate=2008-07-15}}</ref><!-- See talk page as RIofA is in disute: The Robotics Institute of America (RIA) uses a broader definition: a robot is a "re-programmable multi-functional manipulator designed to move materials, parts, tools, or specialized devices through variable programmed motions for the performance of a variety of tasks."<ref name="Lee 2005"/>  The RIA subdivides robots into four classes: devices that manipulate objects with manual control, automated devices that manipulate objects with predetermined cycles, programmable and servo-controlled robots with continuous point-to-point trajectories, and robots of this last type which also acquire information from the environment and move intelligently in response. -->

[[File:Automation of foundry with robot.jpg|thumb|right|A Pick and Place robot in a factory]]

===Service robot===
Most commonly industrial robots are fixed robotic arms and manipulators used primarily for production and distribution of goods. The term "service robot" is less well-defined. IFR has proposed a tentative definition, "A service robot is a robot which operates semi- or fully- autonomously to perform services useful to the well-being of humans and equipment, excluding manufacturing operations."

<!--''Where is this conflict? - a device operated remotely by a human is a remotely operated device and not a robot. Common usage does not give that as a definition and if so, must be ref'd. A remotely operated arm would be probably called a "robotic" arm but this does not make it a robot - it merley has a number of those parameters it would need to be called a robot.'': There is conflict about whether the term can be applied to remotely operated devices, as the most common usage implies, or solely to devices which are controlled by their software without human intervention. -->In [[South Africa]] ''robot'' is an informal and commonly used term for a set of traffic lights.

==Social impact==
Roughly half of all the robots in the world are in [[Asia]], 32% in [[Europe]], and 16% in [[North America]], 1% in [[Australasia]] and 1% in [[Africa]].<ref>[http://www.robots.com/blog.php?tag=48 Robots Today and Tomorrow: IFR Presents the 2007 World Robotics Statistics Survey]; World Robotics; 2007-10-29; retrieved on 2007-12-14</ref> 30% of all the robots in the world are in [[Japan]],<ref>Reporting by Watanabe, Hiroaki; Writing and additional reporting by Negishi, Mayumi; Editing by Norton, Jerry;[http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUST32811820071202 Japan's robots slug it out to be world champ]; Reuters; 2007-12-02; retrieved on 2007-01-01</ref> making Japan the country with the highest number of robots.

===Regional perspectives===
In Japan and [[South Korea]], ideas of future robots have been mainly positive, and the start of the pro-robotic society there is thought to be possibly due to the famous '[[Astro Boy]]'.  Asian societies such as Japan, South Korea, and more recently, China, believe robots to be more equal to humans, having them care for old people, play with or teach children, or replace pets etc.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techinnovations/2004-04-11-robot-helpers_x.htm Robot Helpers], USA Today, April 11, 2004.</ref> The general view in Asian cultures is that the more robots advance, the better, which is the opposite of the Western belief.

"This is the opening of an era in which human beings and robots can co-exist," says Japanese firm Mitsubishi about one of the many humanistic robots in Japan.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4196052.stm Domestic robot to debut in Japan ]; BBC News; 2005-08-30; retrieved on 2007-01-02</ref> South Korea aims to put a robot in every house there by 2015-2020 in order to help catch up technologically with Japan.<ref name="SKrobot"/><ref>Chamberlain, Ted; [http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/06/0610_050610_robot.html Photo in the News: Ultra-Lifelike Robot Debuts in Japan]; National Geographic News; 2005-06-10; retrieved on 2008-01-02</ref>

Western societies are more likely to be against, or even fear the development of robotics, through much media output in movies and literature that they will replace humans. Some believe that the West regards robots as a 'threat' to the future of humans, partly due to religious beliefs about the role of humans and society.<ref name="planettokyo.com">Biglione, Kirk; [http://www.planettokyo.com/news/index.cfm/fuseaction/story/ID/36/ The Secret To Japan's Robot Dominance]; Planet Tokyo; 2006-01-24; retrieved on 2007-01-02</ref><ref>Yang, Jeff; [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2005/08/25/apop.DTL ASIAN POP Robot Nation Why Japan, and not America, is likely to be the world's first cyborg society]; SFGate; 2005-08-25; retrieved on 2007-01-02</ref> Obviously, these boundaries are not clear, but there is a significant difference between the two cultural viewpoints.

===Autonomy and ethical questions===
As robots have become more advanced and sophisticated, experts and academics have increasingly explored the questions of what ethics might govern robots' behavior,<ref name="AAAI ethics">[http://www.aaai.org/AITopics/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/AITopics/Ethics AAAI webpage of materials on robot ethics].</ref>  and whether robots might be able to claim any kind of social, cultural, ethical or legal rights.<ref>[http://www.aaai.org/AITopics/newstopics/ethics5.html AAAI compilation of articles on robot rights], Sources compiled up to 2006.</ref> One scientific team has said that it is possible that a robot brain will exist by 2019.<ref>[http://www.familyhealthguide.co.uk/scientists-predict-artificial-brain-in-10-years.html Scientists Predict Artificial Brain in 10 Years], by Kristie McNealy M.D. July 29, 2009.</ref> Others predict robot intelligence breakthroughs by 2050.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=fduW6KHhWtQC&dq=robot&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=SuquyjYb4n&sig=5S3L8pqiLqZ_yjJgh97tPE6F7gQ&hl=en&ei=R1-MSubxLs_dlAfJm_26CA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6#v=onepage&q=&f=false Robot: Mere Machine to Transcendent Mind] By Hans Moravec, Google Books.</ref> Recent advances have made robotic behavior more sophisticated.<ref>[http://www.koreaittimes.com/story/4668/robots-almost-conquering-walking-reading-dancing Robots Almost Conquering Walking, Reading, Dancing], by Matthew Weigand, Korea Itimes, Monday, August 17, 2009.</ref>

[[Vernor Vinge]] has suggested that a moment may come when computers and robots are smarter than humans. He calls this "[[Technological singularity|the Singularity]]".<ref name="nytimes july09"/>  He suggests that it may be somewhat or possibly very dangerous for humans.<ref>[http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/vinge/misc/singularity.html The Coming Technological Singularity: How to Survive in the Post-Human Era], by Vernor Vinge, Department of Mathematical Sciences, San Diego State University, (c) 1993 by Vernor Vinge.</ref> This is discussed by a philosophy called [[Singularitarianism]].

In 2009, experts attended a conference hosted by the [[Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence]] (AAAI) to discuss whether computers and robots might be able to acquire any autonomy, and how much these abilities might pose a threat or hazard. They noted that some robots have acquired various forms of semi-autonomy, including being able to find power sources on their own and being able to independently choose targets to attack with weapons. They also noted that some computer viruses can evade elimination and have achieved "cockroach intelligence." They noted that self-awareness as depicted in science-fiction is probably unlikely, but that there were other potential hazards and pitfalls.<ref name="nytimes july09">[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/26/science/26robot.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper Scientists Worry Machines May Outsmart Man] By JOHN MARKOFF, NY Times, July 26, 2009.</ref> Various media sources and scientific groups have noted separate trends in differing areas which might together result in greater robotic functionalities and autonomy, and which pose some inherent concerns.<ref>[http://www.slate.com/id/2218834/ Gaming the Robot Revolution: A military technology expert weighs in on Terminator: Salvation]., By P. W. Singer, slate.com Thursday, May 21, 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.gyre.org/news/explore/robot-takeover Robot takeover], gyre.org.</ref><ref>[http://www.engadget.com/tag/robotapocalypse robot page], engadget.com.</ref>

===Military robots===
Some experts and academics have questioned the use of robots for military combat, especially when such robots are given some degree of autonomous functions.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8182003.stm Call for debate on killer robots], By Jason Palmer, Science and technology reporter, BBC News, 8/3/09.</ref>  There are also concerns about technology which might allow some armed robots to be controlled mainly by other robots.<ref>[http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/08/robot-three-way-portends-autonomous-future/ Robot Three-Way Portends Autonomous Future], By David Axe  wired.com, August 13, 2009.</ref>
The US Navy has funded a report which indicates that as [[military robots]] become more complex, there should be greater attention to implications of their ability to make autonomous decisions.<ref>[http://www.dailytech.com/New%20Navyfunded%20Report%20Warns%20of%20War%20Robots%20Going%20Terminator/article14298.htm New Navy-funded Report Warns of War Robots Going "Terminator"], by Jason Mick (Blog), dailytech.com, February 17, 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/18/navy-report-warns-of-robot-uprising-suggests-a-strong-moral-com/ Navy report warns of robot uprising, suggests a strong moral compass], by Joseph L. Flatley  engadget.com, February 18th 2009.</ref> One researcher states that autonomous robots might be more humane, as they could make decisions more effectively. However, other experts question this.<ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/layout/set/print/content/view/print/279448 New role for robot warriors;] Drones are just part of a bid to automate combat. Can virtual ethics make machines decisionmakers?, by Gregory M. Lamb / Staff writer, Christian Science Monitor, February 17, 2010.</ref>

Some public concerns about autonomous robots have received media attention.<ref name="FOX">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,533382,00.html|title=Biomass-Eating Military  Robot Is a Vegetarian, Company Says|date=2009-07-16|work=FOXNews.com|accessdate=2009-07-31}}</ref> One robot in particular, the [[Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot|EATR]], has generated concerns over its fuel source as it can continually refuel itself using organic substances.<ref name="Wired">{{cite web|url=http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/07/company-denies-its-robots-feed-on-the-dead/|title=     Danger Room What’s Next in National Security Company Denies its Robots  Feed on the Dead|last=Shachtman|first=Noah|date=2009-07-17|work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|accessdate=2009-07-31}}</ref> Although the engine for the EATR is designed to run on [[biomass]]  and vegetation<ref>Press release, RTI Inc. (2009 July  16). [http://www.robotictechnologyinc.com/images/upload/file/Cyclone%20Power%20Press%20Release%20EATR%20Rumors%20Final%2016%20July%2009.pdf  ''Cyclone Power Technologies Responds to Rumors  about “Flesh Eating” Military Robot''],  pp. 1-2.</ref> specifically selected by its sensors which can find on battlefields or other local environments the project has stated that chicken fat can also be used.<ref name="bpopp22">Press release, RTI  Inc. (2009 April 6). [http://www.robotictechnologyinc.com/images/upload/file/Presentation%20EATR%20Brief%20Overview%206%20April%2009.pdf  "Brief Project Overview"], ''EATR: ENERGETICALLY AUTONOMOUS TACTICAL ROBOT'', pp. 22.</ref> The [[BAE Taranis]] is a UCAV built by Great Britain which can fly across continents without a pilot and has new means to avoid detection.<ref name="Sky News">{{cite news |title= Taranis: The £143m Fighter Jet Of The Future |publisher= Ministry of Defence |date= 2010-07-12 |url= http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Taranis-MoD-And-BAE-Systems-Unveil-Futuristic-Unmanned-Fighter-Jet/Article/201007215663917?lpos=UK_News_Second_Home_Page_Article_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15663917_Taranis:_MoD_And_BAE_Systems_Unveil_Futuristic_Unmanned_Fighter_Jet |accessdate=2010-07-13}}</ref> Flight trials are expected to begin in 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/10602105.stm |title=MoD lifts lid on unmanned combat plane prototype |first=Daniel |last=Emery |publisher=BBC News |date=2010-07-12 |accessdate=2010-07-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1294037/Taranis-The-143million-unmanned-stealth-jet-hit-targets-continent.html |title=Taranis: The £143million unmanned stealth jet that will hit targets in another continent |newspaper=Daily Mail |date=2010-07-12 |accessdate=2010-07-12}}</ref>

==Contemporary uses==

{{See also|List of Robots}}
[[File:TOPIO 3.0.jpg|right|thumb|[[TOPIO]], a humanoid robot that can play [[ping-pong]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.diginfo.tv/2007/12/05/07-0601-d.php |title=Nano technology &#124; Computer &#124; Robot &#124; TOSY TOPIO - Table Tennis Playing Robot |publisher=DigInfo News |date= |accessdate=2007-12-05}}</ref>]]
At present there are 2 main types of robots, based on their use: [[Humanoid robot|general-purpose autonomous robots]] and dedicated robots.

Robots can be classified by their [[sensitivity and specificity|specificity]] of purpose.  A robot might be designed to perform one particular task extremely well, or a range of tasks less well. Of course, all robots by their nature can be re-programmed to behave differently, but some are limited by their physical form. For example, a factory robot arm can perform jobs such as cutting, welding, gluing, or acting as a fairground ride, while a pick-and-place robot can only populate printed circuit boards.

===General-purpose autonomous robots===
{{Merge from|Open-source robotics#Uses|date=January 2009}}
'''General-purpose autonomous robots''' are robots that can perform a variety of functions independently. General-purpose autonomous robots typically can navigate independently in known spaces, handle their own re-charging needs, interface with electronic doors and elevators and perform other basic tasks. Like computers, general-purpose robots can link with networks, software and accessories that increase their usefulness. They may recognize people or objects, talk, provide companionship, monitor environmental quality, respond to alarms, pick up supplies and perform other useful tasks. General-purpose robots may perform a variety of functions simultaneously or they may take on different roles at different times of day. Some such robots try to mimic human beings and may even resemble people in appearance; this type of robot is called a [[humanoid robot]].
[[File:smUsingGuiaBot.jpg|thumb|right|A general-purpose robot acts as a guide during the day and a security guard at night]]

===Factory robots===
;[[Automaker|Car production]]
Over the last three decades automobile factories have become dominated by robots. A typical factory contains hundreds of [[industrial robot]]s working on fully automated production lines, with one robot for every ten human workers.  On an automated production line, a vehicle chassis on a conveyor is [[welding|welded]], [[adhesive|glued]], [[paint]]ed and finally assembled at a sequence of robot stations.

[[File:ADAM Intelligent AGV.jpg|thumb|right|An intelligent AGV drops-off goods without needing lines or beacons in the workspace]]

;[[Packaging]]
[[Industrial robot]]s are also used extensively for palletizing and packaging of manufactured goods, for example for rapidly taking drink cartons from the end of a conveyor belt and placing them into boxes, or for loading and unloading machining centers.

;[[Electronics]]
Mass-produced [[printed circuit board]]s (PCBs) are almost exclusively manufactured by pick-and-place robots, typically with [[SCARA]] manipulators, which remove tiny [[electronic component]]s from strips or trays, and place them on to PCBs with great accuracy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.contactsystems.com/c5_series.html |publisher=Contact Systems |title=Contact Systems Pick and Place robots|accessdate=2008-09-21}}</ref> Such robots can place hundreds of thousands of components per hour, far out-performing a human in speed, accuracy, and reliability.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.assembleon.com/surface-mount-assembly/pick-and-place-equipment/a-series/|publisher=Assembleon| title=SMT pick-and-place equipment|accessdate=2008-09-21}}</ref>

;[[Automated guided vehicle]]s (AGVs)
Mobile robots, following markers or wires in the floor, or using vision<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smartcaddy.net|title=Smart Caddy|publisher=Seegrid|accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref> or lasers, are used to transport goods around large facilities, such as warehouses, container ports, or hospitals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.agvsystems.com/basics/vehicle.htm|title=The Basics of Automated Guided Vehicles|publisher=Savant Automation, AGV Systems|accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref>

:;Early AGV-Style Robots
:Limited to tasks that could be accurately defined and had to be performed the same way every time. Very little feedback or intelligence was required, and the robots needed only the most basic [[wikt:exteroceptors|exteroceptors]] (sensors). The limitations of these AGVs are that their paths are not easily altered and they cannot alter their paths if obstacles block them. If one AGV breaks down, it may stop the entire operation.

:;Interim AGV-Technologies
:Developed to deploy triangulation from beacons or bar code grids for scanning on the floor or ceiling. In most factories, triangulation systems tend to require moderate to high maintenance, such as daily cleaning of all beacons or bar codes. Also, if a tall pallet or large vehicle blocks beacons or a bar code is marred, AGVs may become lost. Often such AGVs are designed to be used in human-free environments.

:;Intelligent AGVs (i-AGVs)
[[File:IED detonator.jpg|thumb|right|A [[U.S. Marine Corps]] technician prepares to use a telerobot to detonate a buried [[improvised explosive device]] near [[Camp Fallujah]], [[Iraq]]]]
:Such as SpeciMinder,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ccsrobotics.com/products/speciminder.html |title=SpeciMinder|publisher=CSS Robotics |accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref> ADAM,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rmtrobotics.com/tire_agv.html |title=ADAM robot |publisher=RMT Robotics |accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref> Tug<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aethon.com/can_do_tug.html |title=Can Do |publisher=Aethon |accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref> and MT 400 with Motivity<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mobilerobots.com/AGV.html |title=Delivery Robots & AGVs |publisher=Mobile Robots |accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref> are designed for people-friendly workspaces. They navigate by recognizing natural features. [[3D scanner]]s or other means of sensing the environment in two or three dimensions help to eliminate cumulative [[observational error|errors]] in [[dead reckoning|dead-reckoning]] calculations of the AGV's current position.  Some AGVs can create maps of their environment using scanning lasers with [[simultaneous localization and mapping]] (SLAM) and use those maps to navigate in real time with other path planning and obstacle avoidance algorithms. They are able to operate in complex environments and perform non-repetitive and non-sequential tasks such as transporting [[photomask]]s in a semiconductor lab, specimens in hospitals and goods in warehouses. For dynamic areas, such as warehouses full of pallets, AGVs require additional strategies using three-dimensional sensors such as time-of-flight or stereovision cameras.

===Dirty, dangerous, dull or inaccessible tasks===
There are many jobs which humans would rather leave to robots.  The job may be boring, such as domestic [[cleaning]], or dangerous, such as exploring inside a [[volcano]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ri.cmu.edu/projects/project_163.html|title=Dante II, list of published papers|publisher=The Robotics Institute of Carnegie Mellon University|accessdate=2007-09-16}}</ref>  Other jobs are physically inaccessible, such as exploring another [[planet]],<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/MPF/rover/sojourner.html|title=Mars Pathfinder Mission: Rover Sojourner|publisher=[[NASA]]|date=1997-07-08|accessdate=2007-09-19}}</ref> cleaning the inside of a long pipe, or performing [[laparoscopic]] surgery.<ref name="daVinci">{{cite web|url=http://biomed.brown.edu/Courses/BI108/BI108_2005_Groups/04/davinci.html|title=Robot assisted surgery: da Vinci Surgical System|publisher=Brown University Division of Biology and Medicine|accessdate=2007-09-19}}</ref>

;Space probes
Almost every unmanned [[space probe]] ever launched was a robot. Some were launched in the 1960s with more limited abilities, but their ability to fly and to land (in the case of [[Luna 9]]) is an indication of their status as a robot. This includes the  [[Voyager probe]]s and the Galileo probes, as well as other probes.

;[[Telerobotics|Telerobots]]
When a human cannot be present on site to perform a job because it is dangerous, far away, or inaccessible, teleoperated robots, or telerobots are used. Rather than following a predetermined sequence of movements, a telerobot is controlled from a distance by a human operator. The robot may be in another room or another country, or may be on a very different scale to the operator. For instance, a [[laparoscopic]] surgery robot allows the surgeon to work inside a human patient on a relatively small scale compared to open surgery, significantly shortening recovery time.<ref name="daVinci"/> When disabling a bomb, the operator sends a small robot to disable it. Several authors have been using a device called the Longpen to sign books remotely.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2007/08/15/longpen-trial.html |title=Celebrities set to reach for Atwood's LongPen |publisher=cbc.ca |accessdate=2008-09-21 | date=2007-08-15}}</ref> Teleoperated robot aircraft, like the Predator [[Unmanned Aerial Vehicle]], are increasingly being used by the military. These pilotless drones can search terrain and fire on targets.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/200606120018|publisher=[[New Statesman]]|title=America's robot army |date=2006-06-12 |accessdate=2007-09-24 |first=Stephen|last=Graham}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/battlefield-robots-to-iraq-and-beyond-0727|publisher=Defense Industry Daily|title=Battlefield Robots: to Iraq, and Beyond|date=2005-06-20|accessdate=2007-09-24}}</ref> Hundreds of robots such as [[iRobot|iRobot's]] [[Packbot]] and the [[Foster-Miller TALON]] are being used in [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]] by the [[Us military|U.S. military]] to defuse roadside bombs or [[Improvised Explosive Device]]s (IEDs) in an activity known as [[explosive ordnance disposal]] (EOD).<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Wired Magazine]]|url=http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.11/bomb.html?pg=3&topic=bomb |title=The Baghdad Bomb Squad |first=Noah|last=Shachtman| date=2005-11|accessdate=2007-09-14}}</ref>

;[[Automated fruit harvesting machine]]s
[[File:Roomba original.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Roomba]] domestic [[vacuum cleaner]] robot does a single, menial job]]
Used to pick fruit on orchards at a cost lower than that of human pickers.

;[[Domestic robots|In the home]]
As prices fall and robots become smarter and more autonomous, simple robots dedicated to a single task work in over a million homes. They are taking on simple but unwanted jobs, such as [[vacuum cleaner|vacuum cleaning]] and [[Scooba|floor washing]], and [[lawn mower|lawn mowing]]. Some find these robots to be cute and entertaining, which is one reason that they can sell very well.

;[[Home automation for the elderly and disabled]]
The population is [[Gerontotechnology|aging]] in many countries, especially Japan, meaning that there are increasing numbers of elderly people to care for, but relatively fewer young people to care for them.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4012797.stm|publisher=BBC News|first=Christine|last=Jeavans|date=2004-11-29|title=Welcome to the ageing future|accessdate=2007-09-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/handbook/c02cont.htm|title=Statistical Handbook of Japan: Chapter 2 Population|publisher=Statistics Bureau & Statistical Research and Training Institute|accessdate=2007-09-26}}</ref> Humans make the best carers, but where they are unavailable, robots are gradually being introduced.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.e-health-insider.com/comment_and_analysis/250/robotic_future_of_patient_care|publisher=E-Health Insider|title=Robotic future of patient care|date=2007-08-16|accessdate=2007-09-26}}</ref>

[[File:FRIEND-III klein.png|thumb|right|The [[Care-Providing Robot FRIEND|Care-Providing robot FRIEND]]. (Photo: IAT)]]
The [[Care-Providing Robot FRIEND|Care-Providing robot FRIEND]] is a semi-autonomous robot designed to support [[Disability|disabled]] and [[Old age|elderly]] people in their daily life activities, like preparing and serving a meal, or reintegration in professional life. FRIEND make it possible for such people, e.g. [[patients]] which are [[Paraplegia|paraplegic]], have muscle diseases or serious [[paralysis]], e.g. due to [[stroke]]s, to perform special tasks in daily life self-determined and without help from other people like therapists or nursing staff. The robot FRIEND is the third generation of such robots developed at the [http://www.iat.uni-bremen.de Institute of Automation (IAT)] of [http://www.uni-bremen.de University of Bremen] within different research projects.<ref>{{Cite journal | author=Martens, C., Prenzel, O., Gräser, A. | title=The Rehabilitation Robots FRIEND-I & II: Daily Life Independency through Semi-Autonomous Task-Execution | year=2007 | journal=I-Tech Education and Publishing | location=Vienna, Austria  | isbn=978-3-902613-04-2 | pages=137–162 | url=http://intechweb.org/downloadpdf.php?id=556}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | author=Ivlev, O., Martens, C., Gräser, A. | title=Rehabilitation Robots FRIEND-I and FRIEND-II with the dexterous lightweight manipulator | journal=Restoration of Wheeled Mobility in SCI Rehabilitation | year=2005 | volume=17}}</ref> Within the last project, AMaRob ([http://www.amarob.de AMaRob web page]), an interdisciplinary [[consortium]], consisting of [[technicians]], [[designers]] as well as therapists and further representatives of various interest groups, influences the development of FRIEND. Besides covering the various technical aspects, also design aspects were included as well as requirements from daily practice given by therapists, in order to develop a care-providing robot that is suitable for daily life activities. The AMaRob project was founded by the [[Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany)|German Federal Ministry of Education and Research]] (''BMBF – Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung'') within the [http://www.service-robotik.de “Leitinnovation Servicerobotik”].

;[[Duct (HVAC)|Duct Cleaning]]
[[File:ANATROLLER ARI-100 Duct cleaning and Inspection robot.jpg|thumb|right|The ANATROLLER ARI-100 is a modular mobile robot used for cleaning hazardous environments]]
In the hazardous and tight spaces of a building's duct work, many hours can be spent cleaning relatively small areas if a manual brush is used. Robots have been used by many duct cleaners primarily in the industrial and institutional cleaning markets, as they allow the job to be done faster, without exposing workers to the harmful enzymes released by dust mites. For cleaning high-security institutions such as embassies and prisons, duct cleaning robots are vital, as they allow the job to be completed without compromising the security of the institution. Hospitals and other government buildings with hazardous and cancerogenic environments such as nuclear reactors legally must be cleaned using duct cleaning robots, in countries such as Canada, in an effort to improve workplace safety in duct cleaning.

===Military robots===
Military robots include the [[SWORDS robot]] which is currently used in ground-based combat. It can use a variety of weapons and there is some discussion of giving it some degree of autonomy in battleground situations.<ref>[http://blog.wired.com/defense/2007/08/httpwwwnational.html WIRED: First Armed Robots on Patrol in Iraq]</ref><ref>[http://blog.wired.com/defense/2007/08/armed-robots-so.html WIRED: Armed Robots Pushed To Police]</ref><ref>[http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military_law/4252643.html?page=2 America's Robot Army]</ref>

[[Unmanned combat air vehicles]] (UCAVs), which are an upgraded form of [[UAVs]], can do a wide variety of missions, including combat. UCAVs are being designed such as the [[Mantis UCAV]] which would have the ability to fly themselves, to pick their own course and target, and to make most decisions on their own.<ref>[http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-02/field-guide-flying-robots The Present and Future of Unmanned Drone Aircraft: An Illustrated Field Guide;] Inside the wild kingdom of the world’s newest and most spectacular species of unmanned aircraft, from swarming insect ’bots that can storm a burning building to a seven-ton weaponized spyplane invisible to radar. By Eric Hagerman, Popular Science, 02/23/2010.</ref>

The AAAI has studied this topic in depth<ref name="AAAI ethics">[http://www.aaai.org/AITopics/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/AITopics/Ethics AAAI Ethics page].</ref> and its president has commissioned a study to look at this issue.<ref>[http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/people/horvitz/AAAI_Presidential_Panel_2008-2009.htm AAAI Presidential Panel on Long-Term AI Futures 2008-2009 Study], Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, Accessed 7/26/09.</ref>

Some have suggested a need to build "[[Friendly AI]]", meaning that the advances which are already occurring with AI should also include an effort to make AI intrinsically friendly and humane.<ref>[http://www.asimovlaws.com/articles/archives/2004/07/why_we_need_fri_1.html Article at Asimovlaws.com], July 2004, accessed 7/27/09.</ref>  Several such measures reportedly already exist, with robot-heavy countries such as Japan and South Korea<ref name=SKrobot>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6425927.stm Robotic age poses ethical dilemma]; BBC News; 2007-03-07; retrieved on 2007-01-02;</ref> having begun to pass regulations requiring robots to be equipped with safety systems, and possibly sets of 'laws' akin to Asimov's [[Three Laws of Robotics]].<ref>[http://www.livescience.com/technology/060526_robot_rules.html Asimov's First Law: Japan Sets Rules for Robots], By Bill Christensen, livescience.com, May 26, 2006.</ref><ref>[http://www.physorg.com/news95078958.html Japan drafts rules for advanced robots], UPI via physorg.com, April 6th, 2007.</ref> An official report was issued in 2009 by the Japanese government's Robot Industry Policy Committee.<ref>[http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/data/20090325_01.html Report compiled by the Japanese government's Robot Industry Policy Committee -Building a Safe and Secure Social System Incorporating the Coexistence of Humans and Robots], Official Japan government press release, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, March 2009.</ref> Chinese officials and researchers have issued a report suggesting a set of ethical rules, as well as a set of new legal guidelines referred to as "Robot Legal Studies."<ref name="China report">[http://works.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=weng_yueh_hsuan Toward the human-Robot Coexistence Society: on Safety intelligence for next Generation Robots], report by Yueh-Hsuan Weng, China Ministry of the Interior, [http://www.springer.com/engineering/robotics/journal/12369 International Journal of Social Robotics], April 7, 2009.</ref> Some concern has been expressed over a possible occurrence of robots telling apparent falsehoods.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,540721,00.html Evolving Robots Learn To Lie To Each Other], Popular Science, August 19, 2009.</ref>

===Schools===
Robotics have also been introduced into the lives of elementary and high school students with the company [[FIRST]] (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). The organization is the foundation for the [[FIRST Robotics Competition]], [[FIRST LEGO League]], [[Junior FIRST LEGO League]], and [[FIRST Tech Challenge]] competitions.

===Research robots===
{{See also|Robotics#Robot_Research|l1=Robotics — Robot Research}}
While most robots today are installed in factories or homes, performing labour or life saving jobs, many new types of robot are being developed in [[Laboratory|laboratories]] around the [[world]]. Much of the research in robotics focuses not on specific industrial tasks, but on investigations into new types of robot, alternative ways to think about or design robots, and new ways to manufacture them. It is expected that these new types of robot will be able to solve real world problems when they are finally realized.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}

;Nanorobots
[[File:Microgripper holding silicon nanowires.jpg|thumb|right|A microfabricated electrostatic gripper holding some silicon nanowires.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://grin.hq.nasa.gov/ABSTRACTS/GPN-2000-001535.html|publisher=NASA|title=Fullerene Nanogears|date=1997-04-01|accessdate=2008-05-27|author=Michael Hahn}}</ref>]]
[[Nanorobotics]] is the still largely hypothetical technology of creating machines or robots at or close to the scale of a [[nanometer]] (10<sup>−9</sup> [[meter]]s). Also known as '''nanobots''' or '''nanites''', they would be constructed from [[molecular machine]]s. So far, researchers have mostly produced only parts of these complex systems, such as bearings, sensors, and [[Synthetic molecular motors]], but functioning robots have also been made such as the entrants to the Nanobot Robocup contest.<ref>[http://www.techbirbal.com/viewtopic.php?p=3687&sid=7faaeeb64eaf84880b23755fea7fa7cd Techbirbal: Nanobots Play Football]</ref> Researchers also hope to be able to create entire robots as small as [[virus]]es or [[bacteria]], which could perform tasks on a tiny scale. Possible applications include micro surgery (on the level of individual [[cell (biology)|cells]]), [[utility fog]],<ref>[http://www.kurzweilai.net/meme/frame.html?main=/articles/art0220.html? KurzweilAI.net: Utility Fog: The Stuff that Dreams Are Made Of]</ref> manufacturing, weaponry and cleaning.<ref>[http://www.e-drexler.com/d/06/00/EOC/EOC_Chapter_11.html (Eric Drexler 1986) Engines of Creation, The Coming Era of Nanotechnology]</ref>  Some people have suggested that if there were nanobots which could reproduce, the earth would turn into "[[grey goo]]", while others argue that this hypothetical outcome is nonsense.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crnano.org/Debate.htm|publisher=Center for Responsible Nanotechnology|title=Of Chemistry, Nanobots, and Policy|date=2003-12|accessdate=2007-10-28|author=Chris Phoenix}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.iop.org/EJ/news/-topic=763/journal/0957-4484|publisher=Institute of Physics Electronics Journals|title=Nanotechnology pioneer slays “grey goo” myths|date=2004-06-07|accessdate=2007-10-28}}</ref>

;Reconfigurable Robots
A few researchers have investigated the possibility of creating robots which can [[Self-Reconfiguring Modular Robotics|alter their physical form]] to suit a particular task,<ref>(1996) [http://www.islandone.org/MMSG/9609lego.htm  LEGO(TM)s to the Stars: Active MesoStructures, Kinetic Cellular Automata, and Parallel Nanomachines for Space Applications]</ref> like the fictional [[T-1000]]. Real robots are nowhere near that sophisticated however, and mostly consist of a small number of cube shaped units, which can move relative to their neighbours, for example [http://www.isi.edu/robots/superbot.htm SuperBot]. Algorithms have been designed in case any such robots become a reality.<ref>(Robert Fitch, Zack Butler and Daniela Rus) [http://groups.csail.mit.edu/drl/publications/papers/MeltSortGrow.pdf Reconfiguration Planning for Heterogeneous Self-Reconfiguring Robots]</ref>

;Soft Robots
Robots with [[silicone]] bodies and flexible actuators ([[Pneumatic artificial muscles|air muscles]], [[electroactive polymers]], and [[ferrofluid]]s), controlled using [[fuzzy logic]] and [[neural networks]], look and feel different from robots with rigid skeletons, and are capable of different behaviors.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/27/science/27robo.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ei=5070&en=91395fe7439a5b72&ex=1177128000 |title=In the Lab: Robots That Slink and Squirm |author=John Schwartz |publisher=nytimes.com |accessdate=2008-09-22 | date=2007-03-27}}</ref>

;Swarm robots
[[File:SwarmRobot org.jpg|thumb|right|A [[swarm]] of robots from the Open-source Micro-robotic Project]]
Inspired by [[Colony (biology)|colonies of insects]] such as [[ants]] and [[bees]], researchers are modeling the behavior of [[Swarm robotics|swarms]] of thousands of tiny robots which together perform a useful task, such as finding something hidden, cleaning, or spying. Each robot is quite simple, but the [[emergent behavior]] of the swarm is more complex. The whole set of robots can be considered as one single distributed system, in the same way an ant colony can be considered a [[superorganism]], exhibiting [[swarm intelligence]]. The largest swarms so far created include the iRobot swarm, the SRI/MobileRobots CentiBots project<ref>((cite web|http://www.activrobots.com/RESEARCH/wheelchair.html|title=SRI/MobileRobots Centibot project))</ref> and the Open-source Micro-robotic Project swarm, which are being used to research collective behaviors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swarmrobot.org|title=Open-source micro-robotic project|accessdate=2007-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irobot.com/sp.cfm?pageid=149|publisher=iRobot Corporation|title=Swarm|accessdate=2007-10-28}}</ref> Swarms are also more resistant to failure. Whereas one large robot may fail and ruin a mission, a swarm can continue even if several robots fail. This could make them attractive for space exploration missions, where failure is normally extremely costly.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2000/12/40750 |publisher=Wired Magazine |title=Look, Up in the Sky: Robofly |first=Louise|last=Knapp |date=2000-12-21|accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref>

;Haptic interface robots
Robotics also has application in the design of [[virtual reality]] interfaces. Specialized robots are in widespread use in the [[Haptic technology|haptic]] research community. These robots, called "haptic interfaces," allow touch-enabled user interaction with real and virtual environments. Robotic forces allow simulating the mechanical properties of "virtual" objects, which users can experience through their sense of [[somatosensory system|touch]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=17363&ch=biotech&sc=&pg=1 |publisher=MIT Technology review |title=The Cutting Edge of Haptics |accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref>

==Future development==
===Technological trends===
Various techniques have emerged to develop the science of robotics and robots. One method is [[Evolutionary robotics]], in which a number of differing robots are submitted to tests. Those which perform best are used as a model to create a subsequent "generation" of robots. Another method is [[Developmental robotics]], which tracks changes and development within a single in the areas of problem-solving and other functions.

===Technological development===
;Overall trends
Japan hopes to have full-scale commercialization of service robots by 2025. Much technological research in Japan is led by Japanese government agencies, particularly the Trade Ministry.<ref name="UK Japan report">[http://ukinjapan.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/5606907/5633632/next-generation-services-robots Research and Development for Next-generation Service Robots in Japan], United Kingdom Foreign Ministry report, by Yumiko Moyen, Science and Innovation Section, British Embassy, Tokyo, Japan, January 2009.</ref>

As robots become more advanced, eventually there may be a standard computer operating system designed mainly for robots.  Robot Operating System (ROS) is an open-source set of programs being developed at [[Stanford University]], the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] and the [[Technical University of Munich]], Germany, among others. ROS provides ways to program a robot's navigation and limbs regardless of the specific hardware involved. It also provides high-level commands for items like image recognition and even opening doors. When ROS boots up on a robot's computer, it would obtain data on attributes such as the length and movement of robots' limbs. It would relay this data to higher-level algorithms. Microsoft is also developing a "Windows for robots" system with its Robotics Developer Studio, which has been available since 2007.<ref name="ROS">[http://www.ethiopianreview.com/articles/23156 Robots to get their own operating system], by Mehret Tesfaye Ethipian Review, August 13th, 2009.</ref>

;New functions and abilities
The Caterpillar Company is making a dump truck which can drive itself without any human operator.<ref>[http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/131/the-caterpillar-self-driving-dump-truck.html?nav=inform-rl  The Caterpillar Self-Driving Dump Truck],
By Tim McKeough, fastcompany.com, November 25, 2008.</ref>

Many future applications of robotics seem obvious to people, even though they are well beyond the capabilities of robots available at the time of the prediction.
As early as 1982 people were confident that someday robots would:<ref>
"Robotics in practice: Future capabilities"
by [[Joseph F. Engelberger]].
in "Electronic Servicing & Technology" magazine 1982 August.
</ref>
1. clean parts by removing [[molding flash]]
2. spray paint automobiles with absolutely no human presence
3. pack things in boxes—for example, orient and nest chocolate candies in candy boxes
4. make electrical [[cable harness]]
5. load trucks with boxes—a [[packing problem]]
6. handle soft goods, such as garments and shoes
7. shear sheep
8. [[prosthesis]]
9. cook fast food and work in other service industries
10. household robot.

Generally such predictions are overly optimistic in timescale.

==Problems depicted in popular culture ==
Fears and concerns about robots have been repeatedly expressed in a wide range of books and films. A common theme is the development of a master race of conscious and highly intelligent robots, motivated to take over or destroy the human race.  (See ''[[The Terminator]], [[Runaway (1984 film)|Runaway]], [[Blade Runner]], [[Robocop]]'', [[Replicator (Stargate)|the Replicators in ''Stargate'']], the [[Cylon (Battlestar Galactica)|Cylons]] in ''[[Battlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)|Battlestar Galactica]]'', ''[[The Matrix]]'', and ''[[I, Robot (film)|I, Robot]]''.)  Some fictional robots are programmed to kill and destroy; others gain superhuman intelligence and abilities by upgrading their own software and hardware. Examples of popular media where the robot becomes evil are ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey]]'', ''[[Red Planet (film)|Red Planet]]'', ... Another common theme is the reaction, sometimes called the "[[uncanny valley]]", of unease and even revulsion at the sight of robots that mimic humans too closely.<ref name="uncanny">{{cite journal|url=http://www.macdorman.com/kfm/writings/pubs/Ho2007EmotionUncanny.pdf |first=C. C. |last=Ho |coauthors=MacDorman, K. F.; Pramono, Z. A. D. |year=2008 |title=Human emotion and the uncanny valley: A GLM, MDS, and ISOMAP analysis of robot video ratings| accessdate=2008-09-24 |work=Proceedings of the Third ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction. March 11–14. Amsterdam.}}</ref> ''[[Frankenstein]]'' (1818), often called the first science fiction novel, has become synonymous with the theme of a robot or monster advancing beyond its creator. In the TV show, Futurama, the robots are portrayed as humanoid figures that live alongside humans, not as robotic butlers. They still work in industry, but these robots carry out daily lives.

[[Manuel De Landa]] has noted that "smart missiles" and autonomous bombs equipped with artificial perception can be considered robots, and they make some of their decisions autonomously.  He believes this represents an important and dangerous trend in which humans are handing over important decisions to machines.<ref>*[[Manuel de Landa]], ''[[War in the Age of Intelligent Machines]]'', New York: Zone Books, 1991, 280 pages, Hardcover, ISBN 0-942299-76-0; Paperback, ISBN 0-942299-75-2.</ref>

Marauding robots may have entertainment value, but unsafe use of robots constitutes an actual danger.  A heavy industrial robot with powerful actuators and unpredictably complex behavior can cause harm, for instance by stepping on a human's foot or falling on a human.  Most industrial robots operate inside a security fence which separates them from human workers, but not all.  Two robot-caused deaths are those of Robert Williams and [[Kenji Urada]].  Robert Williams was struck by a robotic arm at a casting plant in [[Flat Rock, Michigan]] on January 25, 1979.<ref name="a">{{cite news|last=Kiska|first=Tim|title=Death on the job: Jury awards $10 million to heirs of man killed by robot at auto plant |pages=A10|publisher=[[Philadelphia Inquirer]] |date=1983-08-11|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/PI/lib00187,0EB295F7D995F801.html |accessdate=2007-09-11}}</ref>  37-year-old [[Kenji Urada]], a Japanese factory worker, was killed in 1981; Urada was performing routine maintenance on the robot, but neglected to shut it down properly, and was accidentally pushed into a [[grinding machine]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7001829|title=Trust me, I'm a robot|publisher=[[The Economist]]|date=2006-06-08|accessdate=2007-04-30}}</ref>

==Timeline==
{| class="wikitable"
! Date
! Significance
! Robot name
! Inventor
|-|
| 1st century AD and earlier
| Descriptions of over a hundred machines and [[Automaton|automata]], including a fire engine, wind organ, coin-operated machine, and steam-powered [[aeliopile]], in ''Pneumatica'' and ''Automata'' by [[Hero of Alexandria|Heron]]
|
| [[Ctesibius of Alexandria|Ctesibius]], [[Philo of Byzantium|Philo]], [[Hero of Alexandria|Heron]], and others
|-
| 1206
| Early programmable automata
| Robot [[Musical ensemble|band]]<ref name=Fowler>{{Cite journal|title=The Museum of Music: A History of Mechanical Instruments|first=Charles B.|last=Fowler|journal=Music Educators Journal|volume=54|issue=2|date=October 1967|pages=45–49|doi=10.2307/3391092|url=http://jstor.org/stable/3391092|publisher=MENC_ The National Association for Music Education|jstor=10.2307/3391092}}</ref>
| [[Al-Jazari]]
|-
| c. 1495
| Designs for a humanoid robot
| [[Leonardo's robot|Mechanical knight]]
| [[Leonardo da Vinci]]
|-
| 1738
| Mechanical duck that was able to eat, flap its wings, and excrete
| [[Digesting Duck]]
| [[Jacques de Vaucanson]]
|-
| 1800s
| Japanese mechanical toys that served tea, fired arrows, and painted
| ''Karakuri'' toys
| [[Hisashige Tanaka]]
|-
| 1921
| First fictional automata called "robots" appear in the play ''R.U.R.''
| Rossum's Universal Robots
| [[Karel Čapek]]
|-
| 1928
| Humanoid robot, based on a suit of armor with electrical actuators, exhibited at the annual exhibition of the Model Engineers Society in London
| [[Eric]]
| W. H. Richards
|-
| 1930s
| Humanoid robot exhibited at the 1939 and 1940 [[World's Fair]]s
| [[Elektro]]
| [[Westinghouse Electric Corporation]]
|-
| 1948
| Simple robots exhibiting biological behaviors<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cerebromente.org.br/n09/historia/turtles_i.htm |accessdate=2008-09-25 |title=Imitation of Life: A History of the First Robots}}</ref>
| Elsie and Elmer
| [[William Grey Walter]]
|-
| 1956
| First commercial robot, from the Unimation company founded by [[George Devol]] and [[Joseph Engelberger]], based on Devol's patents<ref>{{Cite journal|accessdate=2008-09-25|last=Waurzyniak|first=Patrick|title=Masters of Manufacturing: Joseph F. Engelberger|journal=Society of Manufacturing Engineers|volume=137|issue=1|date=2006-07|url=http://www.sme.org/cgi-bin/find-articles.pl?&ME06ART39&ME&20060709#article}}</ref>
| [[Unimate]]
| [[George Devol]]
|-
| 1961
| First installed industrial robot
| [[Unimate]]
| [[George Devol]]
|-
| 1963
| First palletizing robot<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fujiyusoki.com/English/rekishi.htm|title=Company History|publisher=Fuji Yusoki Kogyo Co.|accessdate=2008-09-12}}</ref>
| Palletizer
| Fuji Yusoki Kogyo
|-
| 1973
| First robot with six electromechanically driven axes<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kuka-robotics.com/en/company/group/milestones/1973.htm |title=KUKA Industrial Robot FAMULUS|accessdate=2008-01-10 |work=}}</ref>
| Famulus
| [[KUKA|KUKA Robot Group]]
|-
| 1975
| Programmable universal manipulation arm, a Unimation product
| [[Programmable Universal Machine for Assembly|PUMA]]
| [[Victor Scheinman]]
|}

==Literature==
[[File:Actroid-DER 01.jpg|thumb|right|A [[gynoid]], or robot designed to resemble a woman, can appear comforting to some people and disturbing to others<ref name="uncanny" />]]
{{See also|List of fictional robots and androids|Robots in literature}}

Robotic characters, [[android (robot)|androids]] (artificial men/women) or [[gynoid]]s (artificial women), and [[cyborg]]s (also "[[bionic]] men/women", or humans with significant mechanical enhancements) have become a staple of science fiction.

The first reference in Western literature to mechanical servants appears in [[Homer]]'s ''[[Iliad]]''. In Book XVIII, [[Hephaestus]], god of fire, creates new armor for the hero Achilles, assisted by robots.<ref name="Iliad">{{cite web
| accessdate=2007-11-21
| url= http://www.arts.cornell.edu/theatrearts/CTA/Program%20Notes/comic%20potential.asp
| publisher= Cornell University
| title = Comic Potential : Q&A with Director Stephen Cole
}}</ref> According to the [[E. V. Rieu|Rieu]] translation, "Golden maidservants hastened to help their master. They looked like real women and could not only speak and use their limbs but were endowed with intelligence and trained in handwork by the immortal gods."  Of course, the words "robot" or "android" are not used to describe them, but they are nevertheless mechanical devices human in appearance. "The first use of the word Robot was in Karel Čapek's play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots) (written in 1920)" [[Robots in literature]]

The most prolific author of stories about robots was [[Isaac Asimov]] (1920–1992), who placed robots and their interaction with society at the center of many of his works.<ref>He wrote "over 460 books as well as thousands of articles and reviews", and was the "third most prolific writer of all time [and] one of the founding fathers of modern science fiction".  {{cite book |title=Isaac Asimov: a life of the grand master of science fiction |url=http://books.google.com/?id=EWbMiyS9v98C |isbn=0786715189 |pages=1–2 |author=White, Michael |year=2005 |publisher=Carroll & Graf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/SOS/Asimov.html|title=Asimov's Laws of Robotics - Implications for Information Technology|publisher=Australian National University/IEEE|author=R. Clarke|accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref> Asimov carefully considered the problem of the ideal set of instructions robots might be given in order to lower the risk to humans, and arrived at his [[Three Laws of Robotics]]: a robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm; a robot must obey orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law; and a robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.<ref>{{cite web
  | last = Seiler
  | first = Edward
  | coauthors = Jenkins, John H.
  | url=http://www.asimovonline.com/asimov_FAQ.html
  | title= Isaac Asimov FAQ
  | publisher = Isaac Asimov Home Page
  | date = 2008-06-27
  | accessdate = 2008-09-24 }}</ref>  These were introduced in his 1942 short story "Runaround", although foreshadowed in a few earlier stories.  Later, Asimov added the Zeroth Law: "A robot may not harm humanity, or, by inaction, allow humanity to come to harm"; the rest of the laws are modified sequentially to acknowledge this.

According to the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]],'' the first passage in Asimov's short story "[[Liar!]]" (1941) that mentions the First Law is the earliest recorded use of the word ''[[robotics]]''.  Asimov was not initially aware of this; he assumed the word already existed by analogy with ''mechanics,'' ''hydraulics,'' and other similar terms denoting branches of applied knowledge.<ref>{{cite book|author=White, Michael|title=Isaac Asimov: A Life of the Grand Master of Science Fiction|pages=56|year=2005|publisher=Carroll & Graf|isbn=0-7867-1518-9}}</ref>

==See also==
<!-- ATTENTION! Please do not add wikilinks without discussion and consensus on the talk page. Undiscussed links will be removed. -->
{{Portal|Robotics}}
: ''Main list: [[Topic outline of robotics]]''
*For classes and types of robots see [[:Category:Robots]].
* [[FIRST]] - For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology; an organization that founded various robotics competitions for elementary and high school students.

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
* Cheney, Margaret [1989:123] (1981). ''Tesla, Man Out of Time''. Dorset Press. New York. ISBN 0-88029-419-1
* Craig, J.J. (2005). Introduction to Robotics. Pearson Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, NJ.
* Needham, Joseph (1986). ''Science and Civilization in China: Volume 2''. Taipei: Caves Books Ltd.
* Sotheby's New York. The Tin Toy Robot Collection of Matt Wyse, (1996)
* Tsai, L. W. (1999). ''Robot Analysis''. Wiley. New York.
* DeLanda, Manuel. ''War in the Age of Intelligent Machines''. 1991. Swerve. New York.
* [http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/117946193/grouphome/home.html Journal of Field Robotics]
* [http://www.razorrobotics.com/ Robotics education website]

==External links==
<!-- ATTENTION! Please do not add external links without discussion and consensus on the talk page. Undiscussed links will be removed. -->
{{wikibooks|Robotics}}
{{wikiversity|Anthropomorphic Robotics}}
{{Commons category|Robots}}
{{Wiktionary|robot}}

; General news and developments
* [http://robots.net/ robots.net] general robot-related news and technological developments.
* [http://www.robotshop.com/blog/ RobotShop Blog] general robot-related news and technological developments.
;Research
* [http://www.ifrr.org International Foundation of Robotics Research (IFRR)]
* [http://www.ijrr.org International Journal of Robotics Research (IJRR)].
* [http://www.ieee-ras.org Robotics and Automation Society (RAS)] at [[Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers|IEEE]]
* [http://kn.theiet.org/communities/robotics/index.cfm Robotics Network] at [[Institution of Engineering and Technology|IET]]
* [http://robotics.nasa.gov Robotics Division] at [[NASA]]
*[http://robotics.eas.asu.edu/ Human Machine Integration Laboratory] at [[Arizona State University]]

;Other links
* {{dmoz|Computers/Robotics|Robotics at DMOZ}}
* [http://www.communistrobot.com/robots.php List of robots] at Communist Robot

[[Category:Robotics]]
[[Category:Robots| ]]
[[Category:Czech loanwords]]
[[Category:Words originating in fiction]]

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[[te:మరమనిషి]]
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[[ug:روبوت]]
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