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This page will provide notes and links about the many kinds of robots that exist or are imagined.
The field of robotics is so large and diverse that it is hard to keep things straight without dividing robotics into categories. Some categories are defined by where or how the robot moves. Other categories are defined by what the robots are used for. As robots continue to advance, more categories may need to be added to keep up. Knowing the difference between these categories and examples of each will allow students to better describe and discuss robots.
Types of Robots
Industrial Robots
Typically an arm attached to a stationary base that is used to pick up move objects. Tools can be attached to the end of the arm so that it can perform other tasks like welding, drilling, cutting, etc. Some examples include 3D printers, CNC machines, Unimate, and Baxter.
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)
Wheeled robots that are designed to follow set paths from point to point. Used to deliver materials around a factory or building. These robots do not have the sensors or programming sofistication to move around in the natural world. They rely are very controlled environment to make their movements accurate and reliable. Examples can be found in warehouses, distribution centers, hospitals, and paper mills. As these robots advance in sensors and software, they we become more and more like rovers.
Wheeled robots that are designed to move freely in their environment. Often used to explore or investigate dangerous situations like bomb disposal, industrial disasters, and other planets. Wheels can come in many sizes and materials, so that they can work with many different terranes. Tank treads and wheels that are not round would still count as wheels and are often used on rovers. There are several examples of rovers on Mars and some new one just landed on the moon. The military, police, and fire departments have developed and use many rovers to help them with their work.
Robots design to fight each other in an arena for the entertainment of the audience. Typically remote controlled, armored, and equipped with weapons like claws, hammers, saws, and drills. We use the term "battlebots" to describe any robot that is used for this purpose, but "Battlebots" is a proper name for a very popular television show the features these kinds of robots. There have be other shows that are similar and there are robot competitions that are not televised.
Robots that are designed to move on, in, and through water. Often used to explore and work underwater when it is difficult and dangerous for humans to operate. These robots have used for scientific exploration, salvage (treasure hunting), and rescue of submarine crews. The military has developed many examples of aquatic robots to help them complete their operations. One example is the Marines new fully autonomous Seal Delivery Vehicle.
Flying Robots (UAVs)
Robot that are designed to move through the air, often equipped with cameras to provide an overhead view of a situation. Also known as Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAV) and drones, they are often used by police and military to give them an advantage in violent situation, without putting themselves in danger. Drones are being used more business to monitor, support operations, and deliver supplies and packages.
Most things we have put into space are automated to allow them to operate on their own or to assist the astronauts and as a back up in case the people are injured. Satellites, space craft, probes, and lunar landers are some examples. The Viking I space probe has left our solar system and continues to be the man-made object that is furthest from earth.
Mobile robots that move on one or more legs. Two and four legs are common but one legged po-go stick robots and robots that mimic insects, spiders, crabs, and other animals are also walking robots. Early walking robots we slow and unstable. Honda developed an early example they call ASIMO and continue to product improved versions, but it has never been available for purchase. A dog like robot called AIBO has been used to play soccer in a college competition. The number of walking robots has increase dramatically in recent year due to advancements in battery, motor and senor technology. Boston Dynamics has several walking robots that they sell.
Androids are robots that are intentionally designed to mimic the human form (two arms, two legs, body and head). Since robots are often used to do jobs that human once did, it is convenient to have them be the same size and shape as humans so that they can work in the same spaces and use the same tools the humans do. The earliest fictional robots were androids, depicted by human actors, in the play "Rossum's Universal Robots". There are still more fictional androids the real ones, but the newest androids, like ATLAS, are advanced enough that we should expect to see them used in the military and industry in the near future.
Robots that are combined with living people or other organisms. The robotic parts could replace damaged parts of the person (Robocop), or added to provide them with superhuman abilities (Borg).
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