Robotics, or the science and application of robots, has its root in Greek antiquity. However, the word "robot" was first used by the Czech writer Karel Capec in 1920 in a play entitled "R.U.R."
(Rossum's Universal Robots). In that play the mechanical automation created by Rossum and his son to serve mankind went out of control with disastrous consequences. Modern industrial robots are much more benign and helpful creations, responding tirelessly to sets of control instructions.
A true robot doesn't have to imitate the appearance of a human. The robot's anatomy should suit its job. In many cases two legs and two arms might not only be unnecessary but awkward. A single arm robot with a solid base is probably ideal for most industrial applications. Robots can be strong for heavy tasks or accurate and sensitive for delicate work. Assembly robots may need to have an extended reach and operate in pairs.
Some robots may learn from a human operator by being led through a new sequence of motions which they will then perform until re-instructed.
Painting and welding robots are frequently "taught" in this manner. Other robots can receive electronic instructions from an operator completely removed from the work site. The newly programmed instructions for the robot's control system actuate the motors which drive the robot through the desired sequence of actions.
Although the term "intelligence" must be used with caution, a certain amount of artificial intelligence and self-teaching ability is now being installed in robots. The robot, always within strict safety limitations, can learn, by trial and error, how to avoid obstacles and how to optimize the development of sophisticated sensory devises for robots, especially related to vision and touch, will vastly broaden their capabilities.
There are six categories of robots: (1) the manual manipulator, remotely controlled by a person, which carries out hand-and-arm functions to hold and move objects; (2) the fixed-sequence robot, which performs a series of operations in a preset order, always in the same series of locations in space; (3) the variable-sequence robot, which operates in the same manner as a fixed-sequence robot but can easily be reprogrammed for a different sequence of operations; (4) the playback robot, which repeats a sequence of movements and operations that are first "taught" by manual movement of a manipulator and stored in the robot's memory unit; (5) the numerically-controlled robot, 'which moves from one position to another according to numerical instructions in such forms as punched paper tapes or cards; and (6) the intelligent robot, an advanced type that can decide its course of action on the basis of its sensing devices and analytical capability.
Let's stop for a moment and redefine what a robot is. According to the Robotic Institute of America, an industrial robot is, "a reprogrammable, multi-functional manipulator designed to move materials, parts or tools through variable programmed motions to accept a variety of tasks."
The key words in this definition are, first, "reprogrammable", which differentiates the robot from hard automation; second, "multi-functional manipulator", which tells us that the robot is not limited to only one use; and third, "move", which tells us that robot can be used to move materials or a part of a tool; finally, "variable programmed motions" means that it can operate without the interaction of a person.
Today robots play a major role in welding, press-forming, coating and other operations, particularly in the automotive industry.