What is robots?

Robots are machines that can move, sense their surroundings, and perform tasks automatically or with minimal human help. They combine hardware (like motors and sensors) with software (programs) to act in the real world.

Let's break it down

  • Machines: physical devices made of metal, plastic, or other materials.
  • Move: they can change position, like rolling wheels or swinging arms.
  • Sense their surroundings: they have eyes (cameras), ears (microphones), or touch sensors to notice what’s around them.
  • Perform tasks automatically: they follow instructions without a person holding a controller all the time.
  • Hardware: the tangible parts such as motors, gears, and sensors.
  • Software: the code that tells the hardware what to do.

Why does it matter?

Robots can do dangerous, repetitive, or very precise work that humans find hard or unsafe, freeing people to focus on creative and strategic tasks. Understanding robots helps you see how technology shapes jobs, safety, and everyday life.

Where is it used?

  • Manufacturing: robotic arms assemble cars, electronics, and other products on fast production lines.
  • Healthcare: surgical robots assist doctors in delicate operations, and delivery robots bring medicines inside hospitals.
  • Home: robot vacuums and lawn mowers clean floors and yards without you lifting a finger.
  • Exploration: rovers on Mars or underwater drones gather data where humans cannot easily go.

Good things about it

  • Increases safety by handling hazardous jobs.
  • Boosts productivity and can work 24/7 without fatigue.
  • Improves precision, leading to higher quality products.
  • Can assist people with disabilities, enhancing independence.
  • Enables tasks in environments that are too remote or extreme for humans.

Not-so-good things

  • High upfront cost and need for specialized maintenance.
  • Can replace certain jobs, leading to workforce displacement.
  • Complex programming and integration may cause errors if not properly tested.
  • Limited flexibility; robots may struggle with tasks that require human judgment or adaptability.