Robots are machines specifically engineered to replicate human tasks and improve efficiency and time management. While some robots like Sophia are designed to resemble human features, others look like machines crafted for specialized functions only. Robotics Engineering is a field of study that deals with designing and creating robots. Moreover, people of all ages are fascinated by the idea of robots facilitating every aspect of human life. To quench your thirst for knowledge, here are 20 interesting fun facts about robots.
10 Historical Facts About Robots
1. The term “robot” comes from the Czech word “robot”, which loosely translates into “front duty” or “forced labour”.
2. The word “robot” was first used in a play called RUR (Rossum’s Universal Robots). It was written by a Czech playwright and journalist Karel Capek.
3. Isaac Asimov is the man behind the “Three Laws of Robotics”. He presented them in his famous short story, Runaround.
4. In 1495, Leonardo da Vinci, an Italian polymath drew detailed plans for a mechanical knight using the base structure of the human body.
5. Joseph F. Engelberger, an American physicist and engineer is known as the father of robotics.
6. Shaky was the first mobile and perceptive robot, developed by SRI International in Silicon Valley.
7. Introduced in 1961 and created by George Devol and Joseph Engelberger, Unimate was the first industrial robot.
7. Unimation is the first country to manufacture and sell robots.
8. The first reported death by robots happened in 1981 when a Japanese factory worker’s arm was crushed by a robot arm.
9. NASA has sent five robotic vehicles called rovers to the planet Mars. They include Sojourner, Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance.
10. Robots were created to replace human labour in repetitive tasks.
5 Random Fun Facts About Robots
1. A robot whose appearance and behaviour resemble that of a human is called a humanoid robot. A popular example is Lieutenant Commander Data from the famous Star Trek series, Starship Enterprise – The Next Century.
2. Many people in Japan use service robots such as “Pepper” which act as domestic helpers.
3. Sophia is the first humanoid robot that has been granted citizenship in Saudi Arabia.
4. Robots can see and hear using fitted cameras and sensors, which help to create a realistic environment around them.
5. Vacuum robots are the most commonly found household robots.
6. Robophobia refers to an extreme fear of robots, drones, and robot-like mechanisms.
7. In 1998, Professor Kevin Warwick from Reading University implanted a microchip in his nervous system. It allowed him to control lights, elevators, and many other devices.
8. Elektro is considered the oldest surviving American Robot which was built and showcased during the 1939 World Fair.
9. Nanobots are microscopic robots designed to operate in extremely small and compact spaces.
10. Developed by Riken Institute and Sumitomo Riko, Robear is a personal care robot with a cub-like face and big doe eyes. Although gentle, Robear can transfer patients from a wheelchair to a bed.
Hope you had fun reading these 20 interesting facts about robots for students. If you want to read more interesting facts, then I would recommend reading this interesting blog 50 Amazing and Interesting Facts about Science You Did Not Know!