What is Robotics: Definition and 163 Discussions

Robotics is an interdisciplinary field that integrates computer science and engineering. Robotics involves design, construction, operation, and use of robots. The goal of robotics is to design machines that can help and assist humans. Robotics integrates fields of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, information engineering, mechatronics, electronics, bioengineering, computer engineering, control engineering, software engineering, mathematics, among others.
Robotics develops machines that can substitute for humans and replicate human actions. Robots can be used in many situations and for many purposes, but today many are used in dangerous environments (including inspection of radioactive materials, bomb detection and deactivation), manufacturing processes, or where humans cannot survive (e.g. in space, underwater, in high heat, and clean up and containment of hazardous materials and radiation). Robots can take on any form but some are made to resemble humans in appearance. This is said to help in the acceptance of a robot in certain replicative behaviors usually performed by people. Such robots attempt to replicate walking, lifting, speech, cognition, or any other human activity. Many of today's robots are inspired by nature, contributing to the field of bio-inspired robotics.
Certain robots require user input to operate while other robots function autonomously. The concept of creating robots that can operate autonomously dates back to classical times, but research into the functionality and potential uses of robots did not grow substantially until the 20th century. Throughout history, it has been frequently assumed by various scholars, inventors, engineers, and technicians that robots will one day be able to mimic human behavior and manage tasks in a human-like fashion. Today, robotics is a rapidly growing field, as technological advances continue; researching, designing, and building new robots serve various practical purposes, whether domestically, commercially, or militarily. Many robots are built to do jobs that are hazardous to people, such as defusing bombs, finding survivors in unstable ruins, and exploring mines and shipwrecks. Robotics is also used in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) as a teaching aid.

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  1. H

    Mechatronics or Computer Systems Engineering for Robotics? Advice Needed!

    Hi I am a freshman college student, in a school of engineering. I have an interest in robotics. I would like advice regarding, which engineering, would be the best choice. For a future in robotics, which would be better mechatronics or computer systems engineering? The main topics in...
  2. J

    Having finished O-levels, I would like to go into robotics.

    I would like to go into robotics. I have just finished my o levels. How do I get into robotics? Is it through computer science? What else can I do with a degree in computer science?
  3. D

    What is the best microcontroller for PC-controlled robotics?

    I've searched through some of the already posted threads, searching for anything on microcontrollers. My search has come up with, well...not much. So far I've been able to get some info out of some beginer robotics books. I am interested in turning one of my old RC cars into a PC controlled...
  4. wolram

    What is ORB and How Can Robotics Help You Explore It?

    http://www.robotics.com/orb/ Any one have an idea?
  5. exequor

    Robotics Competition for College Students in 2021

    Does anyone know of any robotics competition that will be taking place sometime later this year or next year? I'm looking for a competition that involves college level students.
  6. M

    Help required for a wireless robotics project

    Iam planning to do a project on control of robotic rover by wireless. 1. A rover controlled by 2 separate motors will be desgned & fabricated. 2. A digital video camera(21x optical zoom) will be fixed on the rover whose orientation will inturn be controlled by 2 separate motors. 3. A laptop...
  7. S

    Robotics Program: Design Room Layout for Small Robot?

    is there any programs out there where you can enter a layout of a room for a small robot? like the room dimensions, basic furniture placement ect... or can you do this with C or Pbasic or some similar program? thanks
  8. P

    Help My Students Understand Robotics: 4 Sticks Joining and Walking

    Hello, I have some students--my part-time job as a teacher--who are know in their first year at high school. They asked me a question about how some sticks drawn in http://www.sodaplay.com were getting well connected and also can move back and forth amazingly. There is no doubt that my students...
  9. L

    Jobs available for a PhD in Robotics

    What jobs would be available to me if I went on post-grad with a mechanical engineering degree and got a masters and eventually a phd, specializing in robotics? I am interested in knowing, so i can decide if i should go to grad school.
  10. T

    Quantum Ninja's FIRST Robotics Website: Check it Out!

    I had to build a website for a competition for FIRST robotics and I was wondering what people thought of it. the website address is www.quantumninja.com/first (yes I did use a cms but I added a lot on to it) For what I wanted with log on services I didn't have the coding background to do it.
  11. O

    Are Asimov's three laws of robotics safe?

    A common suggestion on the topic of AI ethics is to implement the Three Laws of Robotics that Isaac Asimov explored in his science fiction stories (e.g. in "I, Robot", which has just come out as a movie). But are these laws really safe? As Asimov's stories themselves make clear, they can be...
  12. E

    Exploring a Career in Robotics with a Physics Major

    Hi, this isn't really a physics question, more a question about physics, if that makes sense. :smile: If I major in physics, could I eventually go into a career in robotics? What would I need to do? Thanks.
  13. S

    Robotics AI competition, million dollar prize

    Whoa, it was news to me. The robots have to be completely autonomous, and travel from LA to Las Vegas in 10 hours using only GPS guidance systems and computer brain-power (no remote control!). The prize is a million bucks, but the blueprints will become public knowledge, they say. If no...
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