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Robotics

Microcomputer-driven Robots



Probably the most important development in the history of robotics has been the evolution of the microcomputer. The microcomputer makes it possible to store enormous amounts of information as well as huge processing programs into the brain of a robot. With the aid of a microcomputer, a robot can not only be provided with far more basic programming than had been possible before, but it can also be provided with the programming needed to help the robot teach itself, that is, to learn. For example, some computers designed to carry out repetitious tasks have developed the ability to learn from previous mistakes and, therefore, to work more efficiently in the future.



Resources

Books

Aleksander, Igor, and Piers Burnett. Reinventing Man: The Robot Becomes Reality. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1983.

Asimov, Isaac, and Karen A. Frenkel. Robots: Machines in Man's Image. New York: Harmony Books, 1985.

Cook, David. Robot Building for Beginners. New York: APress, 2002.

D'Ignazio, Fred. Working Robots. New York: Elsevier/Nelson Books, 1982.

Malone, Robert. The Robot Book. New York: Harvest/HBJ Book, 1978.

Metos, Thomas. Robots A to Z. New York: Julian Messner, 1980.

Reichardt, Jasia. Robots: Fact, Fiction, and Prediction. New York: Penguin Books, 1978.

Wise, Edwin. Advanced Robotics. Dover, DE: Delmar Learning, 1999.

Other

Current Science and Technology Center. "Robotic Surgery" [cited April 2003]. <http://www.mos.org/cst/article/1623/>.

Honda, Inc. "Asimo Humanoid Robot Project," homepage [cited April 2003]. <http://world.honda.com/robot/>.


David E. Newton

KEY TERMS

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Degrees of freedom

—The number of geometric positions through which a robot can move.

Exoskeleton

—An external bodily framework; in the field of robotics, an exoskeleton is a metallic frame within which a human can stand or sit in order to manipulate the frame itself.

Tactile sensor

—A device that converts mechanical pressure into an electrical current.

Additional topics

Science EncyclopediaScience & Philosophy: Revaluation of values: to Sarin Gas - History And Global Production Of SarinRobotics - Historical Background, Robots At Work: The Present Day, Movement Of Materials, Hazardous Or Remote Duty Robots