Robotics
A robot can be defined as a man-made entity with an intelligent connection between perception and action. Usually, the intelligence is a computer or microcontroller running a program. However, much work has been done on robots with wired intelligence. The action is usually motors or actuators that move an arm or propel the robot. However, web bots are types of robots that exist only in code, and move throughout web pages gathering information.
The above definition is rather loose, as even an air conditioner will satisfy the criteria. Therefore robotists extend the definition by adding a criterion that robots must be entities that perform more than one action. Therefore, air conditioners and similar single-function entities are reduced to a control problem.
Alternate definition: Robot is the general term for a mechanical man or automaton, but has come to be applied to many machines which directly replace a human or animal.
The word robot comes from the Czech word robota (compare with the Russian rabotatj for "to work") meaning "drudgery", "servitude", or "forced labor", especially the so-called "labor rent" that survived in the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1848.
The word robot was first used by Karel Capek in his play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots) (written in 1920; first performed 1921; performed in New York 1922; English edition published 1923). Although Capek's robots were organic artificial humans, the word robot is nearly always used to refer to mechanical humans. The term android can mean either one of these, while a cyborg ("cybernetic organism") would be a creature that is a combination of organic and mechanical parts.
In the general sense of automaton, the biggest robot in the world is said to be the Maeslantkering, a storm surge barrier in the Nieuwe Waterweg waterway near Hoek van Holland, Netherlands, which automatically closes when needed.
The idea of artificial people dates at least as far back as the ancient legend of Cadmus, who sowed dragon teeth that turned into soldiers; and the myth of Pygmalion, whose statue of Galatea came to life.
In classical mythology, the deformed god of metalwork (Vulcan or Hephaestus) created mechanical servants, ranging from intelligent, golden handmaidens to more utilitarian three-legged tables that could move about under their own power.
Hebrew legend tells of the golem, a clay statue animated by Kabbalistic magic.
In the early 1700s, Jacques de Vaucanson[?] created an android that played the flute, as well as a mechanical duck that reportedly ate and defecated. E.T.A. Hoffmann's 1817 short story "The Sandman" features a doll-like mechanical woman, and Edward S. Ellis' 1865 "Steam Man of the Prairies" expresses the American fascination with industrialization. A wave of stories about humanoid automatons culminated with the "Electric Man" by Luis Senarens in 1885.
Once technology advanced to the point where people foresaw mechanical creatures as more than toys, literary responses to the concept of robots reflected fears that humans would be replaced by their own creations. Frankenstein (1818), sometimes called the first science fiction novel, has become synonymous with this theme. When Capek's play RUR introduced the concept of an assembly line run by Robots who try to build still more Robots, the theme took on economic and philosophical overtones, further disseminated by the classic Metropolis, and the popular The Terminator and Blade Runner.
- Robotics Wikipedia
S.Korean scientists develop walking robot maid PhysOrg - January 18, 2010
Japanese Store Selling Custom-Made Robots That Look Like Their Owners PhysOrg - December 14, 2009
Robot completes first underwater crossing of Atlantic Ocean PhysOrg - December 9, 2009
Musical robots perform duets PhysOrg - November 26, 2009
Seven cutting-edge and weird robots MSNBC - October 23, 2009
New robot skier takes to the slopes PhysOrg - October 23, 2009
Robotic Hand That Senses Touch PhysOrg - October 21, 2009
Can Robots Make Ethical Decisions? Live Science - September 17, 2009
Robots Reveal Insights into Evolution PhysOrg - September 16, 2009
Meet the snake robot PhysOrg - September 15, 2009
Military robot 'hops' over walls BBC - September 15, 2009
Robots Learn to Lie Live Science - August 24, 2009
US military embraces robot 'revolution' PhysOrg - August 13, 2009
Robots to get their own operating system New Scientist - August 10, 2009
Robot Chefs Run a Restaurant Live Science - August 6, 2009
Freaky Robot Is a Real Einstein Live Science - July 10, 2009
Robot Learns to Smile and Frown PhysOrg - July 8, 2009
Living Safely with Robots, Beyond Asimov's Laws PhysOrg - June 22, 2009
Space Robot Can Autonomously Reconfigure Itself PhysOrg - June 15, 2009
Lost robot crosses city by asking directions New Scientist - May 13, 2009
New Robot With Artificial Skin To Improve Human Communication Science Daily - May 11, 2009
Robots Replace Humans as the Great Explorers Live Science - April 3, 2009
We Will Go!: Human/Robot Mergers Explore Space Live Science - April 3, 2009
First Robot Scientist Makes Gene Discovery National Geographic - April 3, 2009
Fire-Blowing Robot National Geographic - April 3, 2009
Robo-scientist's first findings BBC - April 3, 2009
Robot Ancestors: Future Intelligent Machines Owe the Past Live Science - April 2, 2009
Humanoid Robot Helps Scientists Understand Intelligence Science Daily - April 2, 2009
Robot Madness: Stepping Out of Sci-Fi Live Science - April 2, 2009
New robot 'steered by human thought': Honda CNN - April 1, 2009
Human-like robot makes runway debut MSNBC - March 24, 2009
Algorithms of Emotion: Robots Learn to Feel Live Science - March 23, 2009
Robot Madness: Emotional Disasters Live Science - March 23, 2009
Robot brings hope to kids with learning difficulties PhysOrg - March 20, 2009
Robot Madness: Human Becomes 'EyeBorg' Live Science - March 21, 2009
Robot brings hope to kids with learning difficulties PhysOrg - March 20, 2009
Swimming pool game inspires robot detection PhysOrg - March 18, 2009
Robot Madness: Creating True Artificial Intelligence Live Science - March 18, 2009
Sensational Learning: Robot Minds Grow By Feel Live Science - March 18, 2009
Robot Madness: Human Becomes 'EyeBorg' Live Science - March 21, 2009
Robot brings hope to kids with learning difficulties PhysOrg - March 20, 2009
Swimming pool game inspires robot detection PhysOrg - March 18, 2009
Robot Madness: Creating True Artificial Intelligence Live Science - March 18, 2009
Sensational Learning: Robot Minds Grow By Feel Live Science - March 18, 2009
Japanese Firms Start Testing Robots In Office Buildings PhysOrg - February 7, 2009
Unnatural selection: Robots start to evolve New Scientist - February 5, 2009
Smart Robot Learns to Climb Mountains Live Science - July 12, 2007
Robot unravels mystery of walking BBC - July 12, 2007
The Secret to More Useful Robots: Tai Chi Training Live Science - July 11, 2007
New Robot Eyes Humans with Human-Like Eyes Live Science - April 16, 2007
Robot with 'human soul' explores remotely New Scientist - November 22, 2006
Humans Inhabit Body of Experimental Robot Live Science - November 24, 2006
Robot device mimics human touch BBC - June 9, 2006
A device which may pave the way for robotic hands that
can replicate the human sense of touch has been unveiled.
Female Android Debuts in S. Korea National Geographic - May 15, 2006
Robot Bartender Pours, Listens Live Science - November 17, 2005
Japanese develop 'female' android called Repliee Q1 BBC - July 27, 2005
Robot assists in kidney transplant Science Daily - May 18, 2005
Robo-docs boost London hospitals BBC - May 18, 2005
US robot builds copies of itself BBC May 11, 2005
Robot-Based System Detects Life In Chile's Atacama Desert Space Daily - March 2005
Japanese Hospitality Robots Debut At Expo Space Daily - March 2005
The Wearable Robot BBC - December 2004
Tiny robot walker made from DNA BBC - May 6, 2004
Scientists have created a microscopic walking robot using only the building blocks of life: DNA.
Putting a human face on computers BBC - February 17, 2003
Robots Powered By The Ocean Itself Science Daily - October 3, 2002
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