Robotics

Abstract

The science of robotics has advanced in a relatively short time. Robots exist today in many forms: industrial robots that assemble cars; medical robots that assist during surgery; police and military robots that assist with bomb disposal and military surveillance; exploration robots that journey into live volcanoes and visit other planets; professional service robots that inspect bridges and nuclear sites; personal robots that vacuum, and provide entertainment; and rehabilitation robots that assist with mobility and therapy. In the introduction to this chapter we review the history of robots and current industrial, military, surgical and personal robots. Section II addresses the less developed, but more related area of assistive robotics. We conclude in Section III by discussing some important issues with the advancement of robotics.