This article discusses what makes something a robot, its types, and the difference between each of them.
Robotics involves multiple industries and approaches to how we engage with robots. This article discusses what makes something a robot, its types, and the difference between each of them.
What exactly is a robot?
Although we have more than a few electronic devices around us, we can only call a selected few of them robots. According to ISO, an international standard organization, article ISO 8373:2012 defines robots as ‘actuated mechanism programmable in two or more axes <…> with a degree of autonomy <…> moving within its environment, to perform intended tasks.’
Aside from tasking, each robot is essential in three things:
- Sense: perceives the world with sensors. Those include cameras, microphones, various sensors, etc.
- Think: understands the world and adapting its behavior to perform tasks.
- Act: affects the world.
If a device does not fit these conditions, then it isn’t a robot. Similarly, some devices are robots, even if it doesn’t appear to be so on first sight. For instance, here’s why you might consider driverless cars robots:
- Sense: features lidars and cameras
- Think: builds world models, perceives objects around it, and makes immediate decisions
- Act: moves cargo or people
At the same time, a vending machine is not a robot:
- Sense: has buttons or touch display
- Think: –
- Act: dispenses food
Types of robots around us
ISO 8373:2012 outlines common types of robots depending on their application. Generally, there are two types:
Industrial robots that automate production. In layman’s terms, most manipulators are industrial robots.
Service robots, which assume menial tasks in service.
Simply put, industrial robots work behind the scenes, while service robots operate right in front of everybody.
Service robots
According to the IFR, or the International Federation of Robotics, there are two types of service robots:
1. For personal use. These robots are a part in our everyday life:
Roombas
Kitchen robots
Robot nannies
Robot pets
Sex robots
2. For professional use. You can find these in business and automation:
Consultant robots
Tour guide robots
Assistant robots
Delivery robots
Assessment robots
A variety of tasks involves a variety of robots, but in many cases, it is possible to enhance the functionality of just one robot model.
Promobot V.4 operates in hotels and offices, the Dubai Mall, museums, and government buildings. It is always the same robot, but with different functions. When it comes to enhanced functionality, Promobot is a flexible machine that supports more than a few devices: small printers for receipts, document scanners, bank terminals, and many others.
Conclusions
Every robot understands and ‘sees’ the world around it, to the point of the robot interacting with it. There is a service one to every industrial robot: it helps people with menial tasks and automates processes wherever it performs. Then, we have two types of service robots: personal and professional. You use the former in everyday tasks, and more often than not, it is always different machines. The latter type performs business tasks, which means they might require a single form factor for various duties and functions.
