Robots, androids, Al

A Robots and automata

A robot is a computer-programmed machine that performs actions, Sensors

manipulates objects, etc. in a precise and, in many cases, repetitive way.

Robots may be automata, or man-like machines, whose basic -joints
components are similar to a human body.
They have mechanical links, joints, which connect their movable compute
system
parts.
Their heart and muscles are the electric or pneumatic motors or nd
systems, the actuators, which create the movement. effectors
Robots also have hands, usually tools or grippers, called end effectors.
T h e y may be equipped with cameras or intrared controls, sensors,

which transmit information to the central system in order to locate

objects or adjust movements.
Finally, robots depend on a computer system, the brain that directs
the actions.

BUses for robots

The word robot comes from robota, meaning compulsory labour
in Czech; similarly, robots are helpful in activitics which are too
dangerous, too boring or too precise for human beings.

Robots in industry Robots and health

Robotic arms, telescopic or bending
Surgical robots, which help
arms, are widely used in the
human surgeons, are

automobile industry to paint, weld programmed to assist in very

and assemble car parts. Robots are delicate microsurgery operations or Robotic arms are
common in industry
mimic the surgeons' movements in
also used in electronic assembly
of microchips where precision of telesurgery operations.
movements is essential. Robots and safety
Robots and space Mobile robots, vehicles controlled

Planetary rovers, remorely-operated by human operators, are used

vehicles, and space probes, unpiloted for defusing bombs and handling
hazardous materials.
spaceships, are used to explore space.

Artificial Intelligence
is the science that tries to recreate the human
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
process and build machines
that pertorm tasks that normally
thought
require human intelligence. It has several applications. Artificial Intelligence?

anthropomorphic robots designed to look and behave like a

Androids are
human speech. Some
being. Most androids can walk, talk and
understand
human
react to gestures and voice inflection. Some learn' from the environment: they
store information and adapt their behaviour according to a previous experience.

mimics human
Expert systems is the term given to computer software that
data and reach conclusions. Some
reasoning, by using a set ot rules to analyze
help doctors diagnose illnesses based on symptoms.
expert systems
in computer programming, designed
to
Neural networks are a new concept
handle ambiguity by learning from trial and
error.
replicate the human ability to brain cells and usually
to imitate the functions of
They use silicon neurons
at the same time. An android and a human
involve a great number of processors working
can you tell one from
eing:
the other?
Complete the article with words from A opposite.

ACTION ROBOT TO COPY HUMAN BRAIN

Scientists at Aberystwyth University are working on a machine which they hope will
recognize objects with cameras that will work as (1).. . . a n d retrieve objects
with an arm that will be its (2).
Although the arm will have (3). t h a t will link its muscles and an electric
*********************

motor that will be the (4)... this new (5) . On't move like a
human, i.e. it won't be like the (6) . Of science-fiction films: forget Star Wars
C3PO. It will be desk based: no walking, or climbing stairs.
The team hopes to discover how the brain performs 'multi-tasking' and to use that
information to develop the (7) ************************* *******s*ssnesssssssesnesonno**. LO create a robot that can think
for itself.

Match the pictures below to the rypes of robots in B opposite.

Complete the extracts with words from C opposite.

The term ()
. ******* (3) ** ******* 7 ****************
denmca as **** snsa . Gre mndde or
. 'S
****nsmsea***** s,QIso
the automation of intelligent units that resemble neurons. known as knowledge-
behaviour, but can (2) they are often used to simulate
based sysfems, mirror
realiy be brain activity and are effective the structure ot an
intelligent? at predicting events. experts thought.

You and computers

Make a list of other uses of robots at home and at work.
 Intelligent homes
A Domotics
Domotics, from the Latin word domus plus robotics, also known
as
automation, involves the use of information technology applied
to domestic appliances in order to create intelligent systems inside
domotics the house.
Basic intelligent devices, traditional devices with an embedded
processor, have been with us for a while, e-g. microwave ovens and
washing machines with compurerized controls.
Intelligent homes are a wider concept: all the systems and devices are connected in a
LAN, local area netvwork, where they communicate with each other and are controlled by
central computer sometimes installed in one of the machines.

B Control devices and networking

Intelligent homes are controlled with different
types ot interfaces, devices that facilitate
communication berween the user and the
system: physical switches, touch screens, IR
(infrared) remote controls, computers either at
home or at a distance, telephony.

The different elements perform one of these

rwo functions: they are either command
initiators, e.g. a brightness sensor that is
programmed to send an instruction when it
gets dark, or command receivers, e.g. a light
that turns on when it receives an instruction
sent by the sensor.

Household appliances, sound and video systems, optical and thermal sensors, etc. can be
linked with wired and wireless systems. Wired LANs use different types of cables and also
electrical wiring.
WLANS, wireless nerworks, use radio-frequency systems: Bluctooth, a short-range radio
system used to communicate between portable devices (laptops, PDAs, mobile phones,
etc.), is now frequently used to design PANs (personal area networks) inside the home.

Automatic operations
Intelligent systems are able to perform a series of activities to inmprove these areas.

Turn on and off alarm systems and phone emergency serviIces if needed
Security
Open and close doors and gates, blinds or curtains
Safety Control heat and smoke sensors
Control heating, air conditioning and electricity
Detect motion and switch and off
on
lightsaccordingly
Switch and off hi-fi sets and home
on
cinema; select music and programs
Comfort and
economy Have everything ready when
you wake
news headlines on your computer, etc.
up: the bath running, the electric kettle on, the
Keep a list of the products in the fridge, make an order to a supermarket and suggest
recipes
Provide intelligent garden watering, e.g. only when the soil is dry

Asistive technologyRaise and lower motorized cupboards and sinks for people with mobility problems

Professional English in Use ICT

Solve the clues and complete the puzle with words from A and B opposire.
Across
3 A wireless standard used for PANs.
6 Touch screens, remote control and computers
are ditterent types of
7 The adjective which describes nerworks
without cables.
9 A smoke sensor is an example of a command
*****

Down
1 The automatic operation of a system or
process.
2 The term domotics comes from domus and

4 The adjective used to describe homes and

devices that use IT technology.
5 A light switch can be used as a command

7 LANs where the devices are connected with

cables or electrical wiring are
8 Personal Area Nerwork.
ead the text and answer the questions below.

automatically turn off the water at the mains and alert

Smart' homes not far away you that a plumber may need calling
Picrure this scenario: it is a Friday night in the middle Sounds far-fetched? For one family of four, these
and holiday home
of winter you are driving your to
in the mountams tor the weckend. On your way
are the capabilities their home already has. They are
living in an Eneo Labs show home outside Barcelona,
there. you send your second residence a text message
trying out the company's smart home concept.
which will
activate the heating, the place is nice
so
and warm by the time you arrive. Your main residence Javier Zamora, manager of Eneo Labs, says that in
little as rwo years many of us will be enjoying thesSe
as

meanwhile, may be vacant, but you can send it an

teatures. Hc explains that smart homes have vo main
SMS to rurn the ights on and otf a tew times. giving
components: an infornmation network, which is like a
the impressiOnn to potential burglars thatsomeone is
human body's nervous system in that all devices inside
also
there. Youcan
monitor what is happening inside
the house on your imobile phone - cameras inside the
the house are comected to it; and a 'brain', which
coordinates what is inside the home and connects it
house will send real-tine images direct to your phone.
to what goes on outside. He says that in the future the
Ifdisaster strikes, and the washing machine leaks while house will respond to voice commands.
you are not there, your house is so clever that it will
Adapred Jrom uwe.cm.com

Which of the areas in C opposite are improved in this 'smart' home: security, satety,
comfortand economy, assistive Which one is not?
technology?
is to perform to improve those areas?
What operations the system able
is
What interface used to connect the user to the LAN?

E
What might be used in the future?

You and coMputersS

Would you Iike to make your home intelligent?
Access the Professional English in Use ICT website at
www.cambridge.org/eltfiet. Then do the activity Your
dream home.
Build your dream home

Professional Englsh in Use ICTT

 BRITISH LearnEnglish Teens
COUNCIL Science UK: Smarthomes - text

How is technology changing the homes we live in? How can hi-tech homes help old people to live
independently? Read the article to find out about research and development into smarthomes in
the UK.

People taking care of the elderly or sick at home may get help from the house itself.

Big changes
The beginning of the 21st century saw a revolution in home-living with new technology changing the places
where we live, from the wireless internet to TV screens that hang on walls, and it seems technology could
be changing our homes again. A project conducted by Johann Siau, Senior Lecturer at the University of
Hertfordshire's School of Engineering and Technology, buiids on the University's InterHome project
aiming to create a home that monitors people living at home who are frail or elderly.

The InterHome
We've developed a wrist-band type device,' says Johann Siau, 'which allows us to monitor the condition of
an elderly person, or whoever is wearing the device. It allows us to collect data of a person, to detect if the
person has fallen or is away from where they are supposed to be. It connects an elderly person with an
assisted-living type device with the InterHome.' The assisted-living project is part of the University's wider
InterHome project, which is the development of a smart house. The house stores the usage patterns of the
person living there and can adapt to make it as energy efficient as possible. 'Linking the two together, and
building the service element, allows us to introduce the assisted-living idea to care for the elderly. It's very
important that these technologies are there to help and support rather than to replace any of the existing
services.
Built from zero
The InterHome is not just a prototype (a doll's house at the moment) or a vehicle for research, it's a study
tool where students from a range of scientific disciplines get to learn and develop technology. The
InterHome incorporates the latest broadband technology, mobile data and communication. Researchers
and students make sure all the technology works together. We've used this to teach our undergraduate
students, as well as our postgraduate students, and gives us the flexibility to be able to design our systems
because the hardware and software is developed in-house.' It requires a variety of skills from students
electronic engineers, embedded-system engineers, computer students, design students. The current plan
we are working on is a smart home project in Watford with some commercial companies, says Johann
Siau. We are looking at how a smater home can provide extra value services.'
 BRITISH
COUNCIL smarthomes -_exercises PDF lish Teerns
S-exercises
Do the preparation exercise first. Then, read the text about Smarthomes and do the exercises to check
your understanding.

Preparation
Match the vocabulary with the corect definition and write a-j next to the number 1-10.

1.... to monitor a. an original model

2.... frail b. a high-speed communications system

3.. elderly C. not strong

4 usage patterns d. programs used by a computer

5... a prototype e. to watch or observe

6. a study tool f. quite old

7. broadband g. something done in an organisation without any help from outside

8.. hardware h. something that is used to help you study

9.. software i. the way you use something which is repeated again and again

10.. in-housee j a computer and other equipment used in data processing

1. Check your understanding: true or false

Circle True or False for these sentences.

The new project has the objective of creating a home where people who are
1. True False
qute old or not very strong can be observed to see if they need any help.

2. The wrist-band can tellif an old person is in the wrong place. True False

3. The assisted-living project is not connected to the InterHome project. True False
4. The InterHome will allow students to learn about technology. True False

5. All the students working on the project have the same skill. True False

The smarthome project in Wattord also involves local government. True False
BRITISH
OCOUNCIL LearnEnglish Teens

2. Check your vocabulary: gap fill

Complete the sentences with one word only. Here is an example:

People who care of the elderly at home may get help from the house itselíf.

(Answer: take).

1. Wireless internet and TV screens that hang on walls are two things. have
changed life in our homes.
2 Johann Siau is the head of a project objective is to create a home that monitors
people who are delicate or quite old.

3. A wrist-band device has developed by the project members.

4. The device has the ability to detect if a person fallen or gone away from where
they are supposed to be.
5. The InterHome is not just a prototype, it's a study tool.

6. The InterHome incorporates broadband technology and mobile data as well.

communication.

The project requires a range of skills from students.

8. At the the team are working on a smarthome project with some commercial
Companies

Discussion
What do you think houses are going to be like in the future?
will we all live in smarthomes?