Types of Robotics
Mechanical robots come in all shapes and sizes to efficiently carry out the task for which they are designed. All robots vary in design, functionality and degree of autonomy. As technology advances, robots are becoming more prevalent in society and are being used to do things that humans cannot.
The five types of robots are as follows:
Pre-Programmed Robots:
Automated robots, like those used on automotive assembly lines, are pre-programmed to work in specific, controlled environments. The arm is designed to weld a door on, to insert a certain part into the engine, etc., and its goal is to perform that task more efficiently than a human.
Humainoid Robots:
These robots are created to look like humans and often times have humanlike facial expressions and the ability to perform human-like activities such as running and jumping. Some of the most advanced humanoid robots are Sophia, built by Hanson Robotics, and Atlas, built by Boston Dynamics.
Autonomous Robots:
Autonomous robots are those that can operate independently of human operators. Autonomous robots stand out from other machines because they rely on sensors to gain an understanding of the world around them and then use a decision-making process (usually a computer) to take the next best step based on their data and mission. The Roomba vacuum cleaner is one example of an autonomous robot that uses sensors to move around and clean homes without human assistance.
Examples of autonomous robots
- Robot vacuum cleaner
- Robot lawn mower
- Hospitality Robot
- Autonomous drones
- Medical Assistant Robot
- Teleoperated Robots
These types of robots are often used in extreme geographical conditions, weather and circumstances, and can be an example of human-controlled submarines used to fix underwater pipe leaks during the BP oil spill, or drones used to detect landmines on a battlefield.
Augmenting Robots
Also known as augmenting robots, VR robots either enhance current human capabilities or replace capabilities a human may have lost. The field of robotics that deals with human augmentation is a branch of science that could soon see its fiction become reality, with bots that have the ability to redefine what it means to be human by making us faster and stronger. Some current augmenting robots are robotic prosthetic limbs and exoskeletons used to lift heavy weights.
What Is Software Robotics? What Is a Bot?
Chatbots are computer programs that simulate conversation online or over the phone, and are often used in customer service scenarios. Chatbots can either be simple services that answer questions with an automated response, or more complex digital assistants that learn from user information.
TYPES OF BOTS
- Chatbots: customer service bots you can have simple conversations with
- Spam Bots: sends Emails to before gathered adresses
- Download Bots: download software and apps automatically.
- Search Engine Crawler Bots: scans websites and make them visible on search engines.
- Monitoring Bots: reports on website speed and status.
Software robots, or "bots," only exist as computer programs and are not considered actual robots. In order for a device to be considered a robot, it must have a physical form, such as a body or frame.
