Posts Tagged → Robots
Robots Not Just a Dream of the Future
Robots are now a part of our culture. Mostly found in today’s manufacturing workplace, robots are a key tool in today’s technologically advanced industrial workplace. Ford, Chrysler, GM, Toyota and almost all car manufacturing companies use robots in their manufacturing facilities. General Electric has an entire fleet of robots manufacturing their jet engines. Almost every city has robots to defuse potential bombs. The Navy uses underwater robots for shipbuilding and demolition work. The military arena has used robots for years. Mining companies work robots miles below the surface of the earth. NASA and space exploration are original users of robotic technology. Disease control centers all over the word use robots in areas unsafe for humans.
While most of us still think of robots as a futuristic toy characterized by the Jetsons, robots have weaned their way into our industrial society for many years. However, humanoid robots are not far from becoming a part of our every day life. ASIMO is a humanoid robot built by Honda in Japan. It was first introduced in 2000. It’s name stands for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility. It was the goal of Honda to build a walking robot which could interact in human situations. The main focus was to aid in the overall quality of life of humans with this technology.
Asimo was the first robot able to incorporate predicted movement control which allowed for more joint flexibility making it more human-like in its overall walking motion. While there were many hurdles to overcome, this robot has the ability to walk, run, climb stairs, and can reach speeds of up to 3.7mile per hour. Newer versions can actually coordinate efforts with other ASIMO’s to perform coordinated tasks. They robots know to step down when approached by humans. They even have the ability to sense when their batteries are low and they will go to their docking stations to charge up their batteries.
The latest generations of this robot can recognize faces and moving objects and react accordingly. This version can recognize voice commands and respond accordingly.
With over 37 separate movement capabilities, these robots can be utilized in a myriad of interpersonal activities to aid in daily life.
Robots have been around for years, especially in the industrial segments of society. Today they are ready to take their first tentative steps towards joining our cultural society as well.