Perhaps the word ‘robotics’ immediately makes you think of the craziest science fiction movies, but if you think carefully, you see many robots around you in daily life. Think of your coffee maker, your dryer, your dishwasher and so on. But what exactly is robotics?
Fun fact: the meaning of robotics goes back to the beginning of the last century. In the Czech Republic, the word “robot” was first used there by writer Karel Čapek, who used it in his books and plays. ‘Robota’ in Czech means ‘work’ or ‘mandatory labour’. So much for the history lesson.
What is a robot?
We now know where the word comes from, but what exactly is it? When is something a robot, and when is it not? A robot is, as it were, a programmable machine that processes information and can often also perform physical tasks. This means that, for example, a washing machine falls under robotics (helps you with the laundry), but a laptop or TV is not seen as such. A robot can also have artificial intelligence and some can even teach themselves things.
Robots in the house
It’s weird to say you have a robot at home, but there are very few households that don’t use some form of robotics. In addition to the dryers and dishwashers we mentioned earlier, you also see more and more advanced robotics in people’s living spaces. What about Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. These can ensure that you no longer have to turn on the lamp or no longer need a remote control to switch up the sound of the TV. A few years ago this was still a far-from-my-bed show for many people, but now no one is surprised anymore.
What is robotics in healthcare?
Let’s face it: a fair amount of robotics that many people have in their homes is born of laziness. Most can still just walk to the light switch, and it’s not that the (dish) washing is impossible without modern equipment. But there are fields of work where the aids are actually indispensable. In healthcare, for example. What robotics does in healthcare? We all know the many scans and ultrasounds, but did you know that there is also such a thing as robotic surgery? For example, there is the so-called Da Vinci robot that only needs a few small incisions to achieve the same effect as a traditional operation in which an entire breastbone has to be opened.
Aerospace and industry
In addition to personal use and the use in healthcare, robots are also used for other commercial purposes. Compare the industrial factories of the last century with those of today and you will see the enormous difference. The space industry also makes full use of robotics. You’ve probably heard of the Mars Exploration Rover (MER), that little robot that drives around and films on Mars, and the space shuttles themselves are also robots. So you see: from small to large and from groundbreaking to established, robotics can be found in all kinds of places.