- Robotics refers to the technology behind robots.
That is, machines that are programmable
by a computer and which can carry out
a complex series of actions automatically.
Technically, the term robot can be applied
to physical machines such as a drone
or purely digital ones such as a voice assistant
on a smart phone.
In common usage, however, we associate the term robot
with physical machines,
and the shorter term, bot, with purely digital ones.
In this course, we will focus
only on physical robots.
Robots are evolving rapidly
in terms of both their physical dexterity
as well as intelligence.
This evolution is being propelled
by a combination of developments
in both hardware technology,
as well as artificial intelligence.
Robots can vary widely in terms of
the degree of their autonomy.
Some of the earliest robots in factories,
such as an automotive assembly plant,
were not capable for much, if any, autonomy.
They were programmed to perform a series of tasks
in a well-defined pattern.
Without reprogramming, they could not deviate
from this pattern.
In contrast, a car running on autopilot mode today,
is capable for a high degree of autonomy,
at least on highways.
Scientists and engineers are pushing robotics technology
along a number of important dimensions.
They are improving the physical dexterity of robots
so they can mimic the human hand,
running, jumping, climbing stairs, and so forth.
They are making them much smaller
so that they can go inside the human body
to perform surgery or act as
an army of artificial insects during warfare.
They are experimenting with soft robots
that are powered by chemical reactions
in the robot's brain,
thereby obviating the need for electricity.
Most important of all, robots are becoming more intelligent
and thus more autonomous.