WHAT IS A ROBOT ?

What distinguishes a robot from other technologies or machines is not always clear-cut , in part because scientists have not yet come to a con-senses on which machines qualify as ROBOTS . Generally, robots are autonomous or semi-autonomous and can manipulate the physical environment through moving parts or suggestion .

At a basic level , robots need only sense something, put what they are sensing through a decision algorithm, and act.They may resemble humans or other living things, and their range of capabilities may mimic "thought"and autonomous function . Humanoid devices with a broad array of abilities and decision-making skills are becoming more common , from Honda's Asimo, which resembles a small person in a space suit , to Baxter , a person factory worker. Rethink Robotics , the company that created Baxter, Says that one of its adventures is train-ability . You can show it what to do rather than program instructions .

But today's robots still depend heavily on people, from robotic arms and other factory equipment that needs the correct coordinates to know where to go to the many military devices that need orders from a human operator . However, as artificial intelligence research advances, robots may someday be capable of making their own choices .