Types of Robots:

Since different types of robots are designed to perform several tasks, it gets
necessary to classify robots. Below is the list of different types of robots based on
their tasks.

Cobots:

A cobot (also known as a collaborative robot) is used for direct human-robot

interaction. Such robots are used in industries to boost production levels by
working together with humans. These robots are much smaller, flexible, and easier
to program than industrial robots.

Industrial robots:

Industrial robots are programmable machines used for

manufacturing. They are programmed to automatically perform specific actions
such as welding, painting, assembling-disassembling, lifting printed circuit boards,
packaging, and testing. Generally, industrial robots consist of a robot arm, gripper,
sensors, and a control unit.

Service robots:

A service robot is a robot that provides services to humans. There

are different types of service robots, such as:

Domestic robots: Such robots are used for household or domestic tasks such as
window cleaning, vacuum cleaning, lawn mowing, and many more.

Security robots: Security robots are tasked to take care of the house when the
residents are not at home. They are typically controlled using a mobile app through
the internet.

Agriculture robots: Such robots help farmers in seeding, harvesting, and other
agricultural tasks.

Medical robots: Nowadays, surgeons use robots in operation theaters to perform

minimally invasive tasks. The use of robots in surgeries reduces the chances of
human errors.
Humanoid robots:

Humanoid robots are robots designed to look and function as human

beings. Humanoid robots move in an upright position using two legs. Such robots
need to learn artificial intelligence (AI) through participation in social life to
behave exactly like human beings.

Human-machine interaction:

Human-machine interactions can be used by people with no or

minimal programming language knowledge. Humans can give commands to such
systems in a natural manner. For instance, humans can use gestures, pass voice
commands, or use facial expressions to interact with the robot. Systems that allow
human-machine interactions are.

 Voice recognition systems.

 Facial expression analysis.
 Gesture recognition systems.
 Artificial emotion recognition systems.

Military and emergency response robots:

Robots are ideal for use in the military or for emergency response
where the situation may be too dangerous for humans. The military use bomb
disposal robots and drones among others, and emergency response teams use
aerial, ground and underwater search and rescue robots. These types of robots are
able to endure harsh conditions and traverse difficult terrain which also makes
them suitable for exploration under the sea or even other planets, such as the Mars
Curiosity Rover.

Applications of Robotics:
 Security.
 Space Exploration.
 Entertainment.
 Agriculture.
 Health Care.
  Underwater Exploration.
 Food Preparation.
 Manufacturing.
 Military.
 Customer Service.

1. Security:
One of the top applications of robotics is in the field of security.
Imagine a world where all security guards are robots. Even thieves would think
twice before committing a crime! That’s why robotics is being considered as a
solution to enhance security measures. Robots can serve as security agents,
protecting humans without being vulnerable to danger like human security guards.
One prominent company leading the way in this field is Knightscope in
the United States. They have developed autonomous security robots equipped with
cutting-edge features to assist human security guards effectively. These robots are
capable of providing real-time, actionable intelligence, helping to prevent and
address various crimes such as armed robberies, burglaries, domestic violence,
fraud, hit-and-runs, and more.

2. Space Exploration:

Many things in space are very dangerous for astronauts to do. Humans
can’t roam on Mars all day to collect soil samples or work on repairing a spaceship
from the outside while it’s in deep space! In these situations, robots are a great
choice because there are no chances for the loss of human life. So space
institutions like NASA frequently use robots and autonomous vehicles to do things
that humans can’t. This can be one of the top applications of robotics.

For example, Mars Rover is an autonomous robot that travels on Mars and
takes pictures of Martian rock formations that are interesting or important and then
sends them back to Earth for NASA scientists to study.
3. Entertainment:

Another top application of robotics is robots are also a big draw

in the entertainment industry. While they cannot exactly become actors and
actresses, they can be used behind the sets in movies and serials to manage the
camera, provide special effects, etc. They can be used for boring repetitive tasks
that are not suitable for a human as cinema is, after all, a creative industry. Robots
can also be used to do stunt work that is very dangerous for humans but looks
pretty cool in an action movie. Theme parks like Disney World are also using
autonomous robots to enhance the magical experience of their customers.

4. Agriculture:
Agriculture is the sector that is the basis of human civilization.
However, agriculture is also a seasonal sector that is dependent on ideal weather
conditions optimal soil, etc. One of the top applications of robotics in agriculture is
for harvesting crops. Robotic harvesters streamline the harvesting process,
allowing farmers to complete tasks more efficiently. An exemplary robot used for
weed removal in farms is the Ecorobotix. This innovative robot is powered by
solar energy and equipped with a sophisticated camera system. It precisely targets
and sprays weeds, minimizing the need for manual labor and chemical usage while
optimizing crop health.

5. Health Care:

One of the top applications of robotics is robots have changed

healthcare a lot. And all for the better! They can help doctors in performing
operations more precisely, be used as prosthetic limbs, provide therapy to patients,
etc. The possibilities are limitless. One example of this is the da Vinci robot that
can help surgeons in performing complex surgeries relating to the heart, head,
neck, and other sensitive areas. Other robotic devices are created like exoskeletons
that can be used to provide additional support for people undergoing rehabilitation
after spinal injuries, strokes, etc.
6. Underwater Exploration:

Robots are a great option for exploring places that humans cannot
reach easily, like the depths of the ocean! There is a lot of water pressure deep in
the ocean which means humans cannot go that down and machines such as
submarines can only go to a certain depth as well.
A deep underwater is a mysterious place that can finally be explored
using specially designed robots. These robots are remote-controlled, and they can
go into the depths of the ocean to collect data and images about aquatic plant and
animal life.

7. Food Preparation:

Don’t want to cook? Don’t worry, some robots can even

cook and create complete meals for you! This can be a top application of robotics
for people who don’t like to cook. These robot chefs can create food using
hundreds of different recipes. Moley Robotics is one such robotics company that
has created a robotic kitchen with a robot that can cook like a master chef! So no
worries if you can’t cook food. Because now a robot can!

8. Manufacturing:
One of the top applications of robotics in the manufacturing
industry is automating repetitive tasks. Many repetitive and common tasks in the
manufacturing industry don’t require any usage of the mind like welding,
assembly, packing, etc. These tasks can be easily done by robots while leaving the
mentally challenging and creative tasks to humans. These robots can be trained to
perform these repetitive and monotonous tasks with precision under the guidance
and supervision of a human. This option is also best for manufacturing processes
that are dangerous and may be harmful to humans.

9. Military:
Applications of Robotics in the military can be vast. They can be used
as drones to keep surveillance on the enemy, they can also be used as armed
systems to attack the opposing forces or as Medicare agents to help friendly forces.
Some of the popular robots used in the Military sector include MAARS (Modular
Advanced Armed Robotic System) which looks like a tank and contains tear gas
and lasers to confuse enemies and even a grenade launcher for desperate situations.
DOGO is also a tactical combat robot that has a camera for spying on the activities
of the enemy and a 9-millimeter pistol for emergencies!

10. Customer Service:

Some robots are developed to look exactly like humans for
cosmetic purposes. These robots are primarily used in the field of customer service
in high-visibility areas to promote robotics.

One such example is Nadine, a humanoid robot in Singapore that can recognize
people from previous visits, make eye contact, shake hands, continue chatting
based on previous meetings, etc. Another customer service robot is Junko Chihira
in Japan, a humanoid robot working at the tourist information center in Aqua City
Odaiba, a shopping center on Tokyo’s waterfront.