What is Robotics?

• Kinza Yasar, Technical Writer

• Katie Terrell Hanna

Robotics is a branch of engineering and computer science that involves the conception, design,
manufacture and operation of robots. The objective of the robotics field is to create intelligent
machines that can assist humans in a variety of ways.

Robotics can take on a number of forms. A robot might resemble a human or be in the form of a
robotic application, such as robotic process automation, which simulates how humans engage with
software to perform repetitive, rules-based tasks.

While the field of robotics and exploration of the potential uses and functionality of robots have
grown substantially in the 21st century, the idea certainly isn't new.

The early history of robotics

The term robotics is an extension of the word robot. One of its first uses came from Czech writer
Karel Čapek, who used the word in his 1920 play, Rossum's Universal Robots.

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However, in the 1940s, the Oxford English Dictionary credited science fiction author Isaac Asimov for
being the first person to use the term. In Asimov's story, he suggested three principles to guide the
behavior of autonomous robots and smart machines:

1. Robots must never harm human beings.

2. Robots must follow instructions from humans without violating rule 1.

3. Robots must protect themselves without violating the other rules.

His three laws of robotics have survived to the present day. However, it wasn't until a couple of
decades later, in 1961, that the first programmable robot -- called Unimate, derived from universal
automation -- was created based on designs from the '50s to move scalding metal pieces from a die-
cast machine. The Stanford Research Institute's robot dubbed Shakey followed suit in 1966 as the
first mobile robot, thanks to software and hardware that enabled it to sense and grasp the
environment, though in a limited capacity.

Robotics applications
Today, industrial robots, as well as many other types of robots, are used to perform repetitive tasks.
They can take the form of a robotic arm, a collaborative robot (cobot), a robotic exoskeleton or
traditional humanoid robots.

Industrial robots and robot arms are used by manufacturers and warehouses, such as those owned
by Amazon and Best Buy.

To function, a combination of computer programming and algorithms, a remotely controlled

manipulator, actuators, control systems -- action, processing and perception -- real-time sensors and
an element of automation help to inform what a robot or robotic system does.

Some additional applications for robotics include the following:

• Home electronics. Vacuum cleaners and lawnmowers can be programmed to automatically

perform tasks without human intervention.

• Home monitoring. This includes specific types of robots that can monitor home energy
usage or provide home security monitoring services, such as Amazon Astro.

• Artificial intelligence (AI). Robotics is widely used in AI and machine learning (ML) processes,
specifically for object recognition, natural language processing, predictive maintenance and
process automation.

• Data science. The field of data science relies on robotics to perform tasks including data
cleaning, data automation, data analytics and anomaly detection.

• Law enforcement and military. Both law enforcement and the military rely heavily on
robotics, as it can be used for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Robotics is also used
to improve soldier mobility on the battlefield.

• Mechanical engineering. Robotics is widely used in manufacturing operations, such as the

inspection of pipelines for corrosion and testing the structural integrity of buildings.

• Mechatronics. Robotics aids in the development of smart factories, robotics-assisted surgery

devices and autonomous vehicles.

• Nanotechnology. Robotics is extensively used in the manufacturing

of microelectromechanical systems, which is a process used to create tiny integrated
systems.

• Bioengineering and healthcare. Surgical robots, assistive robots, lab robots and telemedicine
robots are all examples of robotics used in the fields of healthcare and bioengineering.

• Aerospace. Robotics can be used for drilling, painting, coating, inspection and maintenance
of aircraft components.

Types of robotics

Robots are designed to perform specific tasks and operate in different environments. The following
are some common types of robots used across various industries:

• Industrial robots. Frequently used in manufacturing and warehouse settings, these

large programmable robots are transforming the supply chain by performing tasks such as
welding, painting, assembling and material handling.
• Service robots. These robots are used in a variety of fields in different scenarios, such as
domestic chores, hospitality, retail and healthcare. Examples include cleaning robots,
entertainment robots and personal assistance robots.

• Medical robots. These robots help with surgical procedures, rehabilitation and diagnostics in
healthcare settings. Robotic surgery systems, exoskeletons and artificial limbs are a few
examples of medical robots.

• Autonomous vehicles. These robots are mainly used for transportation purposes and can
include self-driving cars, drones and autonomous delivery robots. They navigate and make
decisions using advanced sensors and AI algorithms.

• Humanoid robots. These robots are programmed to imitate and mimic human movements
and actions. They look humanlike and are employed in research, entertainment and human-
robot interactions.

• Cobots. Contrary to the majority of other types of robots, which do their tasks alone or in
entirely separated work environments, cobots can share workplaces with human employees,
enabling them to work more productively. They're typically used to remove costly, dangerous
or time-consuming tasks from routine workflows. Cobots can occasionally recognize and
respond to human movement.

• Agricultural robots. These robots are used in farming and agricultural applications. They can
plant, harvest, apply pesticides and check crop health.

• Exploration and space robots. These robots are used in missions to explore space as well as
in harsh regions on Earth. Examples include underwater exploration robots and rovers used
on Mars expeditions.

• Defense and military robots. These robots aid military tasks and operations including
surveillance, bomb disposal and search-and-rescue missions. They're specifically designed to
operate in unknown terrains.

• Educational robots. These robots are created to instruct and educate kids about robotics,
programming and problem-solving. Kits and platforms for hands-on learning in academia are
frequent examples of educational robots.

• Entertainment robots. Created for entertainment purposes, these robots come in the form
of robotic pets, humanoid companions and interactive toys.
 There
are many different kinds of robots suited to a variety of tasks.

Machine learning in robotics

Machine learning and robotics intersect in a field known as robot learning. Robot learning is the
study of techniques that enable a robot to acquire new knowledge or skills through ML algorithms.

Some applications that have been explored by robot learning include grasping objects, object
categorization and even linguistic interaction with a human peer. Learning can happen through self-
exploration or guidance from a human operator.

To learn, intelligent robots must accumulate facts through human input or sensors. Then, the robot's
processing unit compares the newly acquired data with previously stored information to predict the
best course of action based on the data it has acquired. However, it's important to understand that a
robot can only solve problems that it's built to solve. It doesn't have general analytical abilities.

Some examples of current applications of machine learning in robotics include the following:

• Computer vision. Robots can perceive, identify and navigate their environments with the
help of machine vision, which uses ML algorithms and sensors. Computer vision is used in a
wide range of settings, including manufacturing procedures, such as material inspection and
pattern and signature recognition.

• Self-supervised learning. By using large sets of data, robots can be taught to perform tasks
without being specifically trained to do so, such as in neural networks. Self-supervised
learning can be used to increase the ability of robots to adapt to changing environments.

• Imitation learning. This entails educating robots to replicate human behavior by

demonstrating desirable actions to them. This can be used to improve the speed and
accuracy of automated procedures.

• Assistive robotics. Machine learning can be used to create robotic devices that help people
with daily tasks such as mobility and household duties. For example, wheelchair-mounted
robot arms can offer greater independence to people with limited mobility in their upper
extremities.

• Reinforcement learning. This entails teaching robots how to carry out challenging tasks
through the use of trial-and-error techniques to make robotic systems more effective and
efficient.

The pros and cons of robotics

Robotic systems are coveted in many industries because they can increase accuracy, reduce costs and
increase safety for human beings.

Common advantages of robotics include the following:

• Safety. Safety is arguably one of robotics' greatest benefits, as many dangerous or unhealthy
environments no longer require the human element. Examples include the nuclear industry,
space, defense and maintenance. With robots or robotic systems, workers can avoid
exposure to hazardous chemicals and even limit psychosocial and ergonomic health risks.

• Increased productivity. Robots don't readily become tired or worn out as humans do. They
can work continuously without breaks while performing repetitive jobs, which boosts
productivity.

• Accuracy. Robots can perform precise tasks with greater consistency and accuracy than
humans can. This eliminates the risk of errors and inconsistencies.

• Flexibility. Robots can be programmed to carry out a variety of tasks and are easily adaptable
to new use cases.

• Cost savings. By automating repetitive tasks, robots can reduce labor costs.

However, despite these benefits, robotics also comes with the following drawbacks:

• Task suitability. Certain tasks are simply better suited for humans -- for example, those jobs
that require creativity, adaptability and critical decision-making skills.

• Economic problems. Since robots can perform most jobs that humans do with more
precision, speed and accuracy, there's always a potential risk that they could eventually
replace human jobs.

• Cost. Most robotic systems have a high initial cost. It can also cost a lot to repair and
maintain robots.

• Increased dependency. Overreliance on robots can result in a decrease in human talents and
problem-solving abilities as well as an increase in technological dependence.

• Security risks. There's always a risk of robotic devices getting hacked or hijacked, especially if
they're being used for defense and security purposes.

• Power requirements. Robots consume a lot of energy and constant power to operate.
Regular upkeep and maintenance are also needed to keep them in good working condition.
Although robots can perform certain tasks better than humans, they also have their shortcomings.

The future of robotics

Robots are becoming more efficient, flexible and autonomous as AI, machine learning and sensor
technologies progress. They're predicted to play an increasingly essential role in a variety of
industries and applications in the future. A study by Spherical Insights and Consulting estimated that
the size of the global robotics market will increase from $25.82 billion in 2022 to $115.88 billion by
2032.

However, there are also possible concerns about employment losses associated with the exponential
adoption of robotics across various industries. According to Oxford Economics, up to 20 million
manufacturing jobs could be lost to robots by 2030. On the flip side, robots are likely to generate
new professional opportunities in fields such as programming and maintenance, despite the looming
possibility of job losses.

Manufacturing organizations are using robotics and AI to improve operations and boost productivity.
Explore the 10 use cases of robotics in the manufacturing industry.

This was last updated in September 2024

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