Technology Advances in Robotics: Green Robotics Articles: Eco20/20

Technology Advances in Robotics

A few decades ago robots were either characters in a story that were to be feared or science fiction movies. Today however people rely heavily on the technology of robotics for everyday life. With the major advances in technology robots have also evolved. What once was just a tale has become a fully functional and very useful tool in many industries. Science has really become real with today's robots and how they function.

Stories of robots dates a few hundred years back with automated beings in Jewish folklore. Many cultures have their own tales of robots throughout history. In 1948 the first robot that functioned properly was introduced. Since then the robot has drastically changed. The ancient model was box like and limited in function. As time marched on and technology improved robots became more automated and capable of doing more. Today's robots can move and speak.

In 1961 the car industry was dramatically changed with the first robot replacing humans in mass production of vehicles. Since then robots has gradually replaced humans in many plants. The machines do the job more efficiently, cheaper, and longer than humans. Companies are using robots to do the work which is too dangerous, dull, or repetitive for human counterparts. Robotics is also used in the car industry and is seen in electric cars and hybrids. Push button and remote starts are other examples of robotic technology in this industry. Other industries use robots to perform tasks. One robot can easily do the job of 20 workers. This saves the companies millions of dollars in payroll and benefits in a few years. Robots simply do the job more efficiently.

Recently the medical field has introduced robotics into the care and diagnosis of patients. Many surgeries today are performed by robots. Countries like Japan and Great Britain are contemplating the use of robots to care for patients in their homes. Pacemakers are robotic devices that regulate the hearts of many patients. Any laparoscopic surgery is done by robots with a much smaller opening than any doctor needs to do the task. Many diagnostic tools such as x rays and MRIs are robotic in nature. These technologies are fairly new in designs but are used heavily and will continue to evolve.

There are even automated vacuum cleaners on the market today. Households have changed with the advances in technology. Washing machines are another example. Many people use robotics without realizing it. Lithium batteries operate cell phones and other portable devices many people use several times throughout daily living. Many comforts are possible because robots and how they have changed.

The use of robotics is not a novel idea; robots play a great part in history. The technological advances have paved the way for bigger and better robots. What once was a clunky piece of metal with limited operations now are completely autonomous and serves a multitude of functions. Tomorrow can only tell what the next generation of robots will look like and what they are capable of.

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