Robot
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A robot is a
type of automatic machine that can perform specific errands with little or no
human interference and with speed and precision. The field of robotics, which
deals with the design, engineering and operation of robots, has grown
dramatically in the last 50 years.
IDC
identifies robotics as one of six innovation accelerators driving digital
transformation. Others include 3D printing, cognitive computing,
next-generation security, and virtual reality or augmented reality.
What can
robots do?
Essentially,
there are as many different kinds of robots as there are tasks to be done.
Robots can perform some errands better than humans, but others are best left to
humans rather than machines.
Here are
some things that robots do better than humans:
Automate manual
or repetitive activities in commercial or industrial environments.
Work in
unpredictable or dangerous environments to detect hazards such as gas leaks.
Process and
provide reports for corporate security.
Fill
pharmaceutical prescriptions and prepare IV.
Deliver
online orders, room service, and even emergency food packages.
Help during
surgeries.
Robots can
also make music, monitor shores for dangerous predators, help with search and
rescue, and even help with food preparation.
Connected to
the cloud
IDC
predicted in its 2019 FutureScape Robotics Report that 40% of G2000
manufacturers will digitally connect (at least) about a third of their bots to
cloud platforms to improve agility and operational efficiency by 2023.
Additionally, the 25% of retailers will implement robots. to free workers from
repetitive tasks.
Despite its
increasing ubiquity, the use of robots has several shortcomings.
perform
surgeries but not appease frightened patients;
feeling
stealthy footsteps in an enclosed area, but not taking action against breakers;
conducting
exercise sessions for the elderly but not reducing their loneliness;
help health
professionals to make diagnoses, but not sympathize with patients; and
learning
from data, but not responding correctly to unexpected situations.
The
increasingly complex competences of robots will eventually eliminate some human
tasks, but not all. Today's robotic technology can only automate 25% of tasks
in unpredictable, human-dependent fields such as construction and nursing. But
robots depend on human programming, and they (probably) always will.
Kinds of
robots
There are as
many dissimilar kinds of robots as there are tasks.
1.
Android
Androids are
robot that look like humans. They are often mobile, moving on wheels or on
tracks. According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineer, these humanoid
robots are used in areas such as personal care and assistance, search and
rescue, space exploration and research, entertainment and education, public
relations and healthcare, and manufacturing.
2.
Download
A telechir
is a complex robot remotely controlled by a human operator for a telepresence
system. It gives this individual the feeling of being on site in a distant,
dangerous or strange environment, and allows him to interact with it as the
telechir constantly provides sensory feedback.
3.
Telepresence robot
A
telepresence robot simulates the experience, and certain abilities, of being
physically present in a place. It combines remote monitoring and controls via
telemetry sent by radio, cable or fiber optic, and enables remote consultation
in business, healthcare, home monitoring, childcare and more.
DaVinci
robotic surgery
The da Vinci
Robotic Surgery System allow surgeons to control miniaturized surgical
instruments mounted on robotic arms with another arm that has an enlarged 3D
camera. The camera provides clinicians with a view of the site while
manipulating instruments using primary finger-operated controls.
4.
Industrial robot
The IFR
(International Federation of Robotics) define an industrial robot as a
"versatile reprogrammable manipulator, automatically controlled,
programmable in three or more axes". Users can also adapt these robots for
different applications. Combining these bots with AI has helped companies move
from simple automation to more complex, higher-level tasks.
In 2019,
there were more than 390,000 industrial robots installed worldwide, according
to the IFR, with China, Japan and the United States leading the way.
In
industrial environments, these robots can do the following:
optimize
process performance;
automate
production to increase productivity and efficiency;
accelerate
product development;
improve
safety; and
lower costs.
5. Swarm
robot
Swarm robots
(also known as insect robots) work in fleets ranging from a few thousand to a
few thousand, all under the supervision of a single controller. These robot are
analogous to insect colonies in that they exhibit simple behavior individually,
but exhibit more sophisticated behaviors with the ability to perform complex
tasks.
6. Smart
robot
It is the
most advanced type of robot. The intelligent robot has an integrated artificial
intelligence system that learns from its environment and experiences to
generate knowledge and improve continuous improvement capabilities. A smart
robots can collaborate with humans and help solve problem in areas such as:
shortage of
agricultural labor;
Food waste;
study of
marine ecosystems;
organization
of products in warehouses; and
clean up
debris from disaster areas.
Smart robot
named Baxter from Rethink Robotics
Baxter, an
intelligent robot from Rethink Robotics
electrical
components
computer
programming
As
artificial intelligence and software advance, robots will become smarter, more
efficient, and face more complex challenges.
