introduction essay about robots

Improve your Grades

Robotics Essay | Essay on Robotics for Students and Children in English

February 14, 2024 by Sastry

Robotics Essay:  What do you think of when you think about ‘robots’? If you think they are only the stuff of space movies and science fiction novels, then think again. Robots are the largest growing technological device in the world. They perform many functions ranging from space exploration to entertainment. Robotics technology is increasing at a fast rate, providing us with new technology that can assist with home chores, automobile assembly and many other tasks. Robotic technology has changed the world around us and is continuing to impact the way we do things. Robotic technology transformation from the past to present surrounds almost everyone in today’s society and it affects both our work and leisure activities.

You can read more  Essay Writing  about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.

Long and Short Essays on Robotics for Kids and Students in English

Given below are two essays in English for students and children about the topic of ‘Robotics’ in both long and short form. The first essay is a long essay on Robotics of 400-500 words. This long essay about Robotics is suitable for students of class 7, 8, 9 and 10, and also for competitive exam aspirants. The second essay is a short essay on Robotics of 150-200 words. These are suitable for students and children in class 6 and below.

Long Essay on Robotics 500 Words in English

Below we have given a long essay on Robotics of 500 words is helpful for classes 7, 8, 9 and 10 and Competitive Exam Aspirants. This long essay on the topic is suitable for students of class 7 to class 10, and also for competitive exam aspirants.

Robotics is the branch of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots, as well as computer systems for, their coptrol and processing. These technologies deal with automated machines that can take’the place of a human in various kinds of work, activities, environments and processes.

The definition of the word robot has a different meaning to many people. According to the Robot Institute of America, 1979, a robot is a re-programmable, multi-functional manipulator designed to move material, parts, tools, or specialised devices through various programmed motions for the performance of a variety of tasks. The use of robots continues to change numerous aspect of our everyday life, such as health care, education and job satisfaction. Robots are going to be a major part of the world economy, they help ways to make our daily life easier and assist in producing more products.

Robotic technology is becoming one of the leading technologies in the world. They can perform many functions. They are used in many different ways in today’s society. The use of robotic technology has made an immediate impact on the world in several ways. As technological advances continue, research design and building new robots serve various practical purposes, whether domestic, commercial or military. Many robots even do the jobs that are hazardous to people such as defusing bombs, mining and exploring shipwrecks.

There are numerous uses of robots which not only give better results but also help in saving money as well as time. The robots can provide high quality components and finished products, and do so reliably and repeatedly even in hazardous or unpleasant environments. There are various industry segments which are making use of robotics to improve their production capabilities.

Much of the research in robotics focuses not on specific industrial tasks, but on investigations into new types of robots, alternative ways to think about or design robots, and new ways to manufacture them.

Recently, Apollo Hospital group installed the world’s most advanced CyberKnife robotic radio surgery system at the cancer speciality centre in Chennai, India. Although it meant substantial price for the hospital, Apollo decided to go ahead with the project due to the new-found enthusiasm for robotics in India.

From the Chandrayaan I project for sending robots to moon, to biomedical engineering and the auto industry, India has been using robotics on a wide scale. In an increasingly technology-driven country, robotics has fast assumed significance not only for industrial applications, but also in various day-to-day human activities.

Presently, robotics is the pinnacle of technical development. Though robotics in India is at a nascent stage, but industrial automation in India has opened up huge potential for robotics. Innovation coupled with consolidated research and development has catapulted India’s scientific position in robotic technology.

The country is soon to become a major hub for the production of robots. The global market for robots is projected to rise by an average of about 4%, while in India, the industry is expected to grow at a rate 2.5 times that of the global average.

In medical field, the importance of robotics has been growing. Robotics is increasingly being used in a variety of clinical and surgical settings for increasing surgical accuracy and decreasing operating time and often to create better healthcare outcomes than standard current approaches. These medical robots are used to train surgeons, assist in difficult and precise surgical procedures, and to assist patients in recovery. The automobile industry is equally dominated by robots.

There are multiple number of industrial robots functioning on fully automated production lines especially the high and efficient luxury and sports cars. The use of industrial robots has helped to increase productivity rate, efficiency and quality of distribution. Another major area where the use of robots is extensive is the packaging section. The packaging done using real robots is of very high quality as there is almost no chances of any human error. Another example where robotics is used is the electronic field. These are mainly in the mass-production with full accuracy and reliability. With these varied usages of robots Bill Gates has said

“Robots will be the Next World-Changing Technology”

Robotic has spread like an infection to an extent that so many movies and serials are also based on its theme. Some popular movies include Star Wars, Robocop, Ra one, Transformers etc. With such acclaimed popularity India too has come up with the Robotics Society of India (RSI). It is an academic society founded on 10th July, 2011, which aims at promoting Indian robotics and automation activities. The society hopes to serve as a bridge between researchers in institutes, government research centres and industry.

Short Essay on Robotics 200 Words in English

Below we have given a short essay on Robotics is for Classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This short essay on the topic is suitable for students of class 6 and below.

India has also come up with specialised programmes in robotics field in IITs and other universities. Also, it has moved beyond the traditional areas and entered newer domains of education, rehabilitation, entertainment etc. Robotics has helped handicapped people by replacing their (damaged) limbs with artificial parts that can duplicate the natural movements.

Like a coin has two sides, robotics too has a flip side to it. The biggest barrier in the development of robots has been the high costs of its hardware such as sensors, motors etc. The customisation and updation is also an added problem.

With new advancements taking place each passing day, new product introduction is a problem for the existing users. Robots cut down labour, thereby reducing the opportunities of employment for many. In many developed countries, scientists are making robotic military force that can prove dangerous to others. As the power and capacity of computers continues to expand, revolution is being created in the field of robotics. Imagination is coupled with technology. It would not be wrong to say that in near future there will be a time when robots will become smarter than the human race.

Robotics Essay Word Meanings for Simple Understanding

• Shipwreck – the destruction or loss of a ship, the remains of a ruined ship.
• Defuse – the act of deactivating, terminating or making ineffective
• Substantial- of ample or considerable amount, significant
• Pinnacle – the highest or culminating point, as of success, power, etc
• Nascent – developing, beginning, budding
• Consolidated – united, combined
• Catapulted – to move quickly, suddenly or forcibly
• Reliability – dependability
• Domain – field, area, sphere
• Flip side – opposite side, reverse side
• Customisation – modification, alteration
• Picture Dictionary
• English Speech
• English Slogans
• English Letter Writing
• English Essay Writing
• English Textbook Answers
• Types of Certificates
• ICSE Solutions
• Selina ICSE Solutions
• ML Aggarwal Solutions
• HSSLive Plus One
• HSSLive Plus Two
• Kerala SSLC
• Distance Education

Essay on Robotics

Students are often asked to write an essay on Robotics in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Robotics

What is robotics.

Robotics is the science of creating robots. Robots are machines that can do tasks without human help. They can be as small as a toy or as big as a car. Some robots look like humans, but most just have parts to do jobs. They can be used in many places, like factories, hospitals, and homes.

History of Robotics

Robotics started in the 20th century. The first robots were simple machines. They could only do easy tasks. Over time, robots became more complex. They can now do many things humans can do. They can even learn new tasks by themselves.

Types of Robots

There are many types of robots. Some robots are used in factories to build things. These are called industrial robots. There are also robots that help doctors in hospitals. They can do surgeries. Then there are robots that can explore space. They can go to places where humans can’t.

Benefits of Robotics

Robots can do tasks faster and more accurately than humans. They can also do dangerous jobs, keeping people safe. Robots can work 24/7 without getting tired. They can help in many fields, like medicine, manufacturing, and space exploration.

Future of Robotics

The future of robotics is very exciting. Robots will become smarter and more helpful. They will be able to do more complex tasks. Robots will be used in more places and in more ways. They will make our lives easier and safer.

250 Words Essay on Robotics

Robotics is a field in technology that deals with making, working, and using robots. Robots are machines that can follow instructions to do tasks. Some robots can do tasks on their own, while others need human help.

There are many types of robots. Some robots look like humans, these are called humanoid robots. Then, there are industrial robots which are used in factories to make things like cars. There are also robots used in medicine, space exploration, and even in our homes to help with cleaning.

How Robots Work

Robots are run by computers. They follow a set of instructions called a program. This program tells the robot what to do and how to do it. Robots have sensors that allow them to gather information about their surroundings. This information is used to make decisions and carry out tasks.

Benefits of Robots

Robots can do many things that humans cannot do or find hard to do. They can work in dangerous places like space, deep sea, or inside a volcano. They can also do tasks quickly and without getting tired. This is why they are very useful in many areas like science, industry, and medicine.

The future of robotics is very exciting. Scientists are working on making robots that can learn and think like humans. These robots will be able to solve problems and make decisions on their own. They will be even more helpful and can change the way we live and work.

In conclusion, robotics is a fascinating field that is changing our world in many ways. It is a field that is full of possibilities and has a lot to offer in the future.

500 Words Essay on Robotics

Robotics is a branch of technology that deals with robots. Robots are machines that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance. They can do things that are hard, dangerous, or boring for humans. This field combines different branches of science and engineering like computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.

The idea of robots has been around for a long time. Ancient Greek myths talk about mechanical servants. The term “robot” itself comes from a Czech word “robota,” meaning forced labor. It was first used in a play in 1920. The first real industrial robot, Unimate, started work in 1961 at a General Motors plant. Since then, robotics has grown a lot.

Robots come in many shapes and sizes to suit different jobs. Some robots look like humans and can do things like talk or walk. These are called humanoid robots. Industrial robots work in factories and can do things like welding, painting, or assembling. Mobile robots can move around. They can be used for things like exploring space or the bottom of the ocean. Then there are medical robots which help doctors in surgeries and patient care.

Robots have several parts. They have a body or frame, motors to make them move, sensors to help them understand their surroundings, and a computer to control everything. The computer uses a program, which is a set of instructions, to tell the robot what to do. The sensors collect information about the world. The computer uses this information to decide what actions the robot should take.

Importance of Robotics

Robots are very important in today’s world. They can do jobs that are dangerous for humans, like defusing bombs or working in nuclear power plants. They can also do jobs that need to be very exact, like in surgery or making computer chips. Robots can also do jobs that are boring or repetitive, like assembling cars in a factory. This helps humans to focus on more interesting and creative tasks.

The future of robotics is very exciting. Robots are becoming smarter and more capable. They are starting to learn from their experiences and make decisions on their own. This is called artificial intelligence. In the future, we might see robots doing even more tasks, like taking care of the elderly or teaching in schools. But we also need to think about how to use robots in a way that is good for everyone.

In conclusion, robotics is a fascinating field that combines many different areas of science and engineering. It has a rich history and an exciting future. Robots are already doing many tasks that help humans, and they are likely to do even more in the future. As we continue to develop and use robots, we must also think about how to do this in a way that benefits everyone.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Role Of Art In Philippine Society
• Essay on Role Of Technology
• Essay on Romania

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Trending Now
• Foundational Courses
• Data Science
• Practice Problem
• Machine Learning
• System Design
• DevOps Tutorial

Robotics | Introduction

Robotics is a branch of engineering and science that includes electronics engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science and so on. This branch deals with the design, construction, use to control robots, sensory feedback and information processing. These are some technologies which will replace humans and human activities in coming years. These robots are designed to be used for any purpose but these are using in sensitive environments like bomb detection, deactivation of various bombs etc. Robots can take any form but many of them have given the human appearance. The robots which have taken the form of human appearance may likely to have the walk like humans, speech, cognition and most importantly all the things a human can do. Most of the robots of today are inspired by nature and are known as bio-inspired robots. Robotics is that branch of engineering that deals with conception, design, operation, and manufacturing of robots. There was an author named Issac Asimov, he said that he was the first person to give robotics name in a short story composed in 1940’s. In that story, Issac suggested three principles about how to guide these types of robotic machines. Later on, these three principles were given the name of Issac’s three laws of Robotics. These three laws state that:

• Robots will never harm human beings.
• Robots will follow instructions given by humans with breaking law one.
• Robots will protect themselves without breaking other rules.

Characteristics

There are some characteristics of robots given below:

• Appearance: Robots have a physical body. They are held by the structure of their body and are moved by their mechanical parts. Without appearance, robots will be just a software program.
• Brain: Another name of brain in robots is On-board control unit. Using this robot receive information and sends commands as output. With this control unit robot knows what to do else it’ll be just a remote-controlled machine.
• Sensors: The use of these sensors in robots is to gather info from the outside world and send it to Brain. Basically, these sensors have circuits in them that produces the voltage in them.
• Actuators: The robots move and the parts with the help of these robots move is called Actuators. Some examples of actuators are motors, pumps, and compressor etc. The brain tells these actuators when and how to respond or move.
• Program: Robots only works or responds to the instructions which are provided to them in the form of a program. These programs only tell the brain when to perform which operation like when to move, produce sounds etc. These programs only tell the robot how to use sensors data to make decisions.
• Behaviour: Robots behavior is decided by the program which has been built for it. Once the robot starts making the movement, one can easily tell which kind of program is being installed inside the robot.

Types of Robots

These are the some types of robots given below:

• Articulated: The feature of this robot is its rotary joints and range of these are from 2 to 10 or more joints. The arm is connected to the rotary joint and each joint is known as the axis which provides a range of movements.
• Cartesian: These are also known as gantry robots. These have three joints which use the Cartesian coordinate system i.e x, y, z. These robots are provided with attached wrists to provide rotatory motion.
• Cylindrical: These types of robots have at least one rotatory joints and one prismatic joint which are used to connect the links. The use of rotatory joints is to rotate along the axis and prismatic joint used to provide linear motion.
• Polar: These are also known as spherical robots. The arm is connected to base with a twisting joint and have a combination of 2 rotatory joint and one linear joint.
• Scara: These robots are mainly used in assembly applications. Its arm is in cylindrical in design. It has two parallel joints which are used to provide compliance in one selected plane.
• Delta: The structure of these robots are like spider-shaped. They are built by joint parallelograms that are connected to the common base. The parallelogram moves in a dome-shaped work area. These are mainly used in food and electrical industries.

Scope and limitations of robots: The advance version of machines are robots which are used to do advanced tasks and are programmed to make decisions on their own. When a robot is designed the most important thing to be kept in mind is that What the function is to be performed and what are the limitations of the robot. Each robot has a basic level of complexity and each of the levels has the scope which limits the functions that are to be performed. For general basic robots, their complexity is decided by the number of limbs, actuators and the sensors that are used while for advanced robots the complexity is decided by the number of microprocessors and microcontroller used. As increasing any component in the robot, it is increasing the scope of the robot and with every joint added, the degree of the robot is enhanced. Advantages: The advantages of using robots are given below:

• They can get information that a human can’t get.
• They can perform tasks without any mistakes and very efficiently and fast.
• Maximum robots are automatic, so they can perform different tasks without needing human interaction.
• Robots are used in different factories to produce items like plane, car parts etc.
• They can be used for mining purposes and can be sent to earth’s madrid.

Disadvantages: The disadvantages of using robots are given below:

• They need the power supply to keep going. People working in factories may lose their jobs as robots can replace them.
• They need high maintenance to keep them working all day long. And the cost of maintaining the robots can be expensive.
• They can store huge amount of data but they are not as efficient as our human brains.
• As we know that robots work on the program that has been installed in them. So other than the program installed, robots can’t do anything different.
• The most important disadvantage is that if the program of robots comes in wrong hands they can cause the huge amount of destruction.

Applications: Different types of robots can performs different types of tasks. For example, many of the robots are made for assembly work which means that they are not relevant for any other work and these types of robots are called Assembly Robots. Similarly, for seam welding many suppliers provide robots with their welding materials and these types of robots are known as Welding Robots. While on the other hand many robots are designed for heavy-duty work and are known as Heavy Duty Robots. There are some applications given below:

• Caterpillar plans which is aiming to develop remote-controlled machines and are expecting to develop heavy robots by 2021.
• A robot can also do Herding task.
• Robots are increasingly been used more than humans in manufacturing while in auto-industry there are more than half of the labors are “Robots”.
• Many of the robots are used as Military Robots.
• Robots have been used in cleaning up of areas like toxic waste or industrial wastes etc.
• Agricultural robots.
• Household robots.
• Domestic robots.
• Nano robots.
• Swarm robots.

Advantages:

• Increased Efficiency: Robots can work 24/7 without getting tired, leading to increased productivity and efficiency.
• Improved Accuracy: Robots are capable of performing tasks with high precision and accuracy, reducing errors and improving quality.
• Increased Safety: Robots can perform tasks that are dangerous for humans, improving overall safety in the workplace.
• Reduced Labor Costs: The use of robots can lead to reduced labor costs, as robots can perform tasks more cheaply than human workers.

Disadvantages:

• Initial Cost: Implementing and maintaining a robotics system can be expensive, especially for small and medium-sized businesses.
• Job Losses: The increased use of robots may result in job losses for human workers, particularly in industries where manual labor is prevalent.
• Limited Capabilities: Robots are still limited in their capabilities compared to human workers and may not be able to perform tasks requiring dexterity or creativity.
• Maintenance Costs: Robots require regular maintenance and repair, which can be time-consuming and expensive.

Similar Reads

• Robotics | Introduction Robotics is a branch of engineering and science that includes electronics engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science and so on. This branch deals with the design, construction, use to control robots, sensory feedback and information processing. These are some technologies which will re 7 min read
• Industrial Robots Prerequisite - Robotics Industrial robots are those robots which were created by programming the mechanical devices which in future can be used in the place of Human Being in order to perform dangerous tasks which may require repetition multiple times with much higher accuracy and without any failur 4 min read
• Mobile Robots Mobile robots are those robots which work as a machine which is highly controlled by software programming that use sensors and other technologies like Artificial Intelligence to identify their surroundings and move around its environment. Mobile robots function using a combination of artificial inte 3 min read
• Robots with a different purpose As time passes by, technology undergoes rapid development in various sectors. Robotics is one such sector that has seen large diversity in the process. From industrial to humanoid robots, there is large variety of robots out there for various needs or just for entertainment. However, there are some 3 min read
• Service Robots Service Robots are one of those robots which behave and do work like that of humans and are quite interactive. These robots can do those jobs which sometimes humans are not reluctant to do which includes cleanliness jobs, some dangerous activities, and also includes household chores like dishwashing 3 min read
• Creating animations using Transformations in OpenGL Animation is the illusion of making us think that an object is really moving on the screen. But underneath they are just complex algorithms updating and drawing different objects. Aim: A complex animation of a walking dinosaur in 2D. Method: Using Transformations of individual body parts. See this V 8 min read
• Project Idea | Drone Delivery Project Title: Drone Delivery – Make a step ahead for Future Introduction: At present we all were in the Generation where each and every door delivery is given by a Man. So to make a step ahead for Future towards the Technology, I would like to introduce my Project “Drone Delivery – Make a Step ahea 3 min read
• Turing machine for copying data Prerequisite - Turing Machine Problem - Draw a Turing machine which copy data. Example - Steps: Step-1. First convert all 0's, 1's into 0's, 1's and go right then B into C and go left Step-2. Then convert all 0's, 1's into 0's, 1's and go left then Step-3. If 1 convert it into X and go right convert 2 min read
• Image Processing 'Recent Articles' on Image ProcessingImage Processing | JavaOpenCV | C++OpenGL | MATLABProject Ideas Image Processing | Java : Image Processing in Java | Set 1 (Read and Write)Image Processing In Java | Set 2 (Get and set Pixels)Image Processing in Java | Set 3 (Colored image to greyscale image conv 2 min read
• Creative Programming In Processing | Set 1 (Random Walker) Creative programming is a type of programming approach in which the goal is to create something expressive and visual instead of something that is purely functional. This type of programming approach is used to create live artworks, graphical simulations and visualize algorithms. There exists a numb 4 min read
• GeeksforGeeks Online Tutorials - FREE! Welcome to GeeksforGeeks Online Tutorials! Here, we offer a huge selection of free online tutorials for everyone, no matter your experience level. This tutorials library is a comprehensive hub where you can easily find and access a variety of tutorials including web tutorials, data structures and al 9 min read
• JSwing | Create a Magnifying tool using Java Robot Java Robot is a part of Java AWT (Abstract Window Toolkit ) package . Java Robot is used to generate native system input events for the purposes of test automation, self-running demos, and other applications where control of the mouse and keyboard is needed. The purpose of using Java Robot is to gai 2 min read
• The Future of Robotics: Applications and Implications Robotics is undergoing a burst of breakthroughs. It includes the surgeon’s hands in a robot performing surgeries or the self-driving car maneuvering through intricate cities, robots are quickly reshaping our world. They are not mere science fiction anymore; they exist in form and shape and have the 11 min read
• Artificial Intelligence in Robotics Artificial Intelligence (AI) in robotics is one of the most groundbreaking technological advancements, revolutionizing how robots perform tasks. What was once a futuristic concept from space operas, the idea of "artificial intelligence robots" is now a reality, shaping industries globally. Unlike ea 10 min read
• Robotics Engineering: Opportunities, Skills, and Career Pathways Robotics Engineering is a thrilling and ever-evolving field that involves the design, manufacturing, and optimization of operations through robotic devices or automation. Robotic engineers, with their unique blend of engineering concepts, computer science, and mathematics, have the power to revoluti 10 min read
• How to Become a Robotics Engineer? In an era where technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, robotics engineering has emerged as a field at the forefront of innovation and progress. Robotics engineers play a crucial role in designing, building, and maintaining the robots that are increasingly becoming integral to various indu 7 min read
• Computer Vision Applications in Robotics Computer Vision Applications in Robotics have greatly improved what robots can do, allowing them to understand and interact with their surroundings better. This technology is being used in many industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and logistics, making work more efficient an 6 min read
• Robot Operating System (ROS): The Future of Automation The Robot Operating System (ROS) has emerged as a pivotal framework in the world of robotics, driving advancements in automation and enabling more sophisticated, flexible, and efficient robotic systems. As industries increasingly turn to automation to enhance productivity and innovation, ROS stands 7 min read
• Robotics Engineer Jobs in South Korea: Updated Companies List (2024) South Korea is one of the leading countries that contributed to the knowledge-based economy in the world and demonstrates success in the development of robotics technologies. In light of the growing number of industries replacing their workforce with Robo personnel, the need for a skilled engineer i 7 min read

Improve your Coding Skills with Practice

What kind of Experience do you want to share?

Introduction To Robots

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a robot?

For many people it is a machine that imitates a human—like the androids in Star Wars, Terminator and Star Trek: The Next Generation. However much these robots capture our imagination, such robots still only inhabit Science Fiction. People still haven't been able to give a robot enough 'common sense' to reliably interact with a dynamic world. However, Rodney Brooks and his team at MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab are working on creating such humanoid robots.

T he type of robots that you will encounter most frequently are robots that do work that is too dangerous, boring, onerous, or just plain nasty. Most of the robots in the world are of this type. They can be found in auto, medical, manufacturing and space industries. In fact, there are over a million of these type of robots working for us today .

Some robots like the Mars Rover Sojourner and the upcoming Mars Exploration Rover , or the underwater robot Caribou help us learn about places that are too dangerous for us to go. While other types of robots are just plain fun for kids of all ages. Popular toys such as Teckno, Polly or AIBO ERS-220 seem to hit the store shelves every year around Christmas time.

And as much fun as robots are to play with, robots are even much more fun to build. In Being Digital, Nicholas Negroponte tells a wonderful story about an eight year old, pressed during a televised premier of MITMedia Lab's LEGO/Logo work at Hennigan School. A zealous anchor, looking for a cute sound bite, kept asking the child if he was having fun playing with LEGO/Logo. Clearly exasperated, but not wishing to offend, the child first tried to put her off. After her third attempt to get him to talk about fun, the child, sweating under the hot television lights, plaintively looked into the camera and answered, "Yes it is fun, but it's hard fun."

But what exactly is a robot?

As strange as it might seem, there really is no standard definition for a robot. However, there are some essential characteristics that a robot must have and this might help you to decide what is and what is not a robot. It will also help you to decide what features you will need to build into a machine before it can count as a robot.

A robot has these essential characteristics:

• Sensing First of all your robot would have to be able to sense its surroundings. It would do this in ways that are not unsimilar to the way that you sense your surroundings. Giving your robot sensors: light sensors (eyes), touch and pressure sensors (hands), chemical sensors (nose), hearing and sonar sensors (ears), and taste sensors (tongue) will give your robot awareness of its environment.
• Movement A robot needs to be able to move around its environment. Whether rolling on wheels, walking on legs or propelling by thrusters a robot needs to be able to move. To count as a robot either the whole robot moves, like the Sojourner or just parts of the robot moves, like the Canada Arm.
• Energy A robot needs to be able to power itself. A robot might be solar powered, electrically powered, battery powered. The way your robot gets its energy will depend on what your robot needs to do.
• Intelligence A robot needs some kind of "smarts." This is where programming enters the pictures. A programmer is the person who gives the robot its 'smarts.' The robot will have to have some way to receive the program so that it knows what it is to do.

So what is a robot?

Well it is a system that contains sensors, control systems, manipulators, power supplies and software all working together to perform a task. Designing, building, programming and testing a robots is a combination of physics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, structural engineering, mathematics and computing. In some cases biology, medicine, chemistry might also be involved. A study of robotics means that students are actively engaged with all of these disciplines in a deeply problem-posing problem-solving environment.