Robot

149

Mirror The images produced by LiDAR
can be colored to make elevation
or distance clearer.

Return beam

Object LiDAR Momaro
laser beam Built by the University of Bonn,
LiDAR Germany, Momaro is a flexible
Laser source sensor robot that can adopt a number of
Photo detector gathers shapes to get around. The LiDAR
Momaro’s claws are sensor on its head spins around
reflected laser light dexterous enough to allow to image the robot’s environment.
the robot to drive a car.

LiDAR SENSOR

LiDAR Momaro’s wheeled legs can
extend upward and even
A light-detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor bounces lift up to avoid obstacles.
light energy off its surroundings to build up a map
of a robot’s local environment. The light reflects off
objects and is regathered by photo detectors, which
calculate the distance to the object using the time
taken for it to return. First deployed on aircraft to
map the land below, LiDAR is now used in driverless
cars, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and other
robots. Some LiDAR systems send out 150,000 laser
pulses every second as they sweep around to build
a very detailed depth map around the robot.

Sonar HOME

An acronym for “sound navigation and ranging,” 12.7 ft 15 20 25 30
sonar sensors work much in the same way as LiDAR
sensors, only they send out sound waves. Sonar is 284°F
used underwater because sound waves can travel 455KHz
further underwater than light or radio waves. Sonar
is typically used to map the ocean floor, search for Sonar image
underwater hazards, or locate shipwrecks on the A sonar system produces an image of the
ocean floor. shipwreck, along with information on how
far away and how large it is.
The sound waves are
reflected off a sunken ship.

The drone’s top speed The drone’s cameras SLAM Tracking
is 25 mph (40 km/h). map the location in all The drone is able to track a target, such as this
directions in real time. Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) is person, even if the target makes sharp turns to
Object recognition an exciting branch of robotic navigation that could try to throw it off.
software on board really aid future UAVs and land robots searching
instructs the drone to disaster sites for survivors. SLAM calls for substantial
avoid collisions with computing power to build and continually update
trees and other objects. a detailed map of a robot’s precise location and
surroundings. One autonomous drone, the
Skydio R1, uses SLAM and six pairs of navigation
cameras to build a 3-D map of its local environment,
avoid collisions, and keep track of a moving object,
which it films using its video camera.

150

R5 VALKYRIESPACE ROBOT The dark visor covers SPECIFICATIONS
a 3-D vision system
The closest robotics has come to a modern-day superhero is NASA’s and camera. MANUFACTURER
hotshot humanoid robot R5 Valkyrie. This battery-powered bipedal NASA
bot can work alone in extreme environments without human The bot’s head can
assistance. Valkyrie is named after supernatural characters from tilt and swivel around
Norse mythology who decided which warriors were rewarded in like a human head.
the afterlife. The robot builds on many years of NASA tests and
feedback of previous robotic humanoids and features numerous Each arm has seven
sensors and actuators (moving parts) designed to help it carry out joints and a group of
complex tasks. Its next mission is to Mars, with Valkyrie expected actuators for motion.
to take its first steps on the Red Planet before human visitors.

ORIGIN
US

MOON MACHINE The padded
chest provides
One of the robot world’s latest lunar protection should
exploration rovers is ATHLETE the humanoid
(All-Terrain Hex-Legged Extra- fall on its front.
Terrestrial Explorer). Like a futuristic,
super-sized, six-limbed insect, this
rover can walk or roll over bumpy
moonlike surfaces. Complete with a
releasable grappling hook and a range
of excavation instruments, ATHLETE
is designed to move 100 times faster
than existing exploration rovers.

DEVELOPED
2013

A robust, rugged, entirely electric HEIGHT
humanoid robot capable of operating 6.2 ft (1.8 m)

in degraded… environments.

NASA

PREPPING FOR FUTURE The limbs are WEIGHT
removable and can 300 lb (136 kg)
The Valkyrie team is constantly working to improve be replaced quickly.
the bot’s dexterity to enable it to work alongside
astronauts in preparation for future exploration. The plastic shell covering
on the leg includes fans
A series of tests have pushed to keep the robot cool. POWER
Valkyrie to its limits. The robot Battery
can drive, climb a ladder, use The bot’s heavyset
power tools, and walk through The actuators legs and wide feet
in the bot’s legs ensure balance when
unstable terrain the robot is walking.
without stumbling. ensure easy
This intensive movement.
preparation will
prove beneficial The fabric-wrapped
when Valkyrie foam armor encases
makes it to Mars. the robot’s body for

Valkyrie’s upgraded version added protection.
includes modified humanoid
hands to improve performance
on the job. Each hand has three
fingers and a thumb to grasp,
manipulate, and work a variety
of objects and instruments with
precision and care. The actuators
allow the wrists to roll
easily, bringing further
freedom of movement.

151

152

GLOSSARY

3-D AUV computer chip
An abbreviation of “three-dimensional,” An acronym for “autonomous A set of electronic circuits on a small
meaning something that creates the underwater vehicle,” a crewless piece of semiconducting material,
impression of depth, height, and length. robot submarine used for usually silicon. Also known as an
underwater exploration. integrated circuit.
acceleration
A change in speed. avatar console
A representation of a human in a place A device that contains controls
accelerometer where one is not physically present. for a machine or robot.
An instrument for measuring
acceleration. biomimetic robot data
A robot that has a design inspired by Measurements or other basic
actuator some aspect of the natural world, such information collected and stored by
A moving part of a robot, such as a as plants or animals. a robot or artificial intelligence as
motor or a robot’s arm. it operates. A computer uses data
bionic to decide what the robot should do.
aerodynamics Having a body part or parts that
The study of how solid objects move are artificial. debugging
through air. The process of finding and fixing bugs
biped robot (errors) in programs.
algorithm A robot that uses two legs to move.
A series of steps taken by a computer dexterity
to solve a problem or carry out a task. central processing unit (CPU) A robot’s skill in performing tasks,
The part of a computer that controls especially with its arms or end effectors.
android robot most of its operations. Also known
A robot that is a convincing imitation as the microprocessor. domestic robot
of a living human being rather than A robot designed to work alongside
just a humanoid. Androids exist only cloud people in their homes.
in fiction at present. A term used for specialized computers
that provide services through the drone
application (app) Internet, such as storing files. A remotely controlled pilotless
A piece of software designed to flying machine. Some drones
achieve a particular purpose. code are not true robots as they lack
Instructions written in programming autonomy and usually have only
artificial intelligence language that tell a computer to a basic level of intelligence.
The simulation of intelligence that is do something.
demonstrated by computer programs edible robot
and machines. collaborative robot A robot that can carry out a task
A robot that is designed to work within a human or animal after being
automatic alongside humans. Collaborative robots swallowed, before its parts dissolve
A word for an action that happens by normally need to have extremely high harmlessly. No fully edible robot
itself with little or no human control. safety precautions so that they will not has been developed yet.
hurt the humans they work with. Also
automaton known as a cobot. end effector
A machine that imitates the actions A part connected to the end of a robot
of a person or animal but without component arm where a hand would be in humans.
having any intelligence. An automaton A part of something. In robots, parts End effectors are designed to carry out
is only able to perform a set of such as a sensor or a touchscreen are specific tasks and, as such, come in a
predetermined movements. called components. variety of designs.
Plural: automata.
computer environment
autonomous An electronic device that The location and conditions that a robot
A term for anything artificial that can manipulates data. or other machine works in.
make decisions and act upon them
without human help or control.

153

exoskeleton home assistant lateral
A hard external covering for the body. A type of AI that is typically for the Referring to the side or sides of
Many insects have exoskeletons, and home and uses powerful microphones, something. In movement, it means
some kinds of robots do, too. special software, and an Internet going sideways.
connection to respond to questions
facial recognition and instructions from its owner. LED
The ability for a robot to remember An acronym for “light-emitting diode.”
human faces or to be able to respond home-help robot A LED glows when a voltage is applied
to human facial expressions. A robot that helps its user carry to it.
out tasks at home. Some home help
flowchart robots are designed to be used by LiDAR
A diagram that describes a sequence. A disabled people. An acronym of “light-detection and
flowchart can be used to explain to ranging,” a system that involves
a human what a computer program is humanoid robot sending out beams of light and
doing and how it arrives at its decisions. A robot with a face or body that measuring the reflected light when
is designed to be similar to that of a it bounces off solid objects. Some
GPS human. Humanoid robots usually have robots use it to detect things in
An acronym for “global positioning a head and arms and sometimes legs. their environment.
system,” a system for determining the
position of something on the Earth’s hydraulic longitudinal
surface by comparing radio signals from Relating to the phenomenon of a Referring to something that runs
several satellites. The time differences liquid moving in a confined space lengthwise as opposed to across.
between the signals are used to work under pressure. Hydraulics are used
out the position of a GPS receiver to to cause parts to move in some robots. machine
within a few meters. Something artificial that is powered by
industrial robot energy and is used to carry out a task.
gripper A robot that works in a factory
A part of a robot that has the ability manufacturing things. Most are single MAV
to hold and manipulate objects. arms that can move in several directions An acronym for “micro aerial
and can use a range of tools. Industrial vehicle,” a miniature UAV
gyroscope robots make up the bulk of robots in (umanned aerial vehicle).
A device consisting of a wheel or disc use worldwide.
mounted so that it can spin rapidly mechanical
about an axis, which is itself free to alter infrared Operated by or relating to a machine
in direction. The orientation of the axis A kind of light that lies just beyond the or machines.
is not affected by tilting, which makes a red end of the visible light spectrum,
gyroscope a useful component in many invisible to the human eye. Some robots medical assistant robot
machines to provide stability. use it for navigation and communication. A robot that performs a task or tasks
to help its disabled operator, and
haptic interface sometimes used to refer to robots
Relating to the sense of touch. A A device through which two different that help in medical procedures.
robot may give haptic feedback to systems, or a human and a robot, can
a human in the form of vibrations communicate. Remote controls and microcontroller
or physical resistance. touchscreens are examples of interfaces. A controlling device that
includes a microprocessor.
hardware Internet
The physical parts of a computer, such as A massive global network created microphone
the exterior casing and internal circuitry. from connections between billions A device that takes sound waves and
of computers. turns them into a digital signal that
HD can then be amplified, transmitted,
An abbreviation of “high-definition.” joystick or recorded.
HD relates to the resolution (quality) of A small lever used to control a machine.
video, photograph, or sound data. microprocessor
laser The part of a computer that controls
hexapod A device that emits a focussed beam most of its operations. Also known
A six-legged robot that displays a of light. Sometimes the word is used as the CPU.
walking motion based on that of insects. to refer to the beam of light itself.

154

module piloted robot robot
A self-contained section of a robot A robot that is controlled wholly A moving machine that is programmed
or a computer program. Modules can or in part by a human. Piloted by a computer to do different
be designed and tested separately and robots are not true robots as tasks. Most robots can sense their
then joined to form the finished product. they do not have a reasonable environment and have some ability
level of autonomy. to respond to it autonomously.
monitor
A screen that is used to display pneumatic robot arm
computer information. Relating to the phenomenon of air A versatile, computer-controlled, jointed
moving in a confined space under arm that can handle tools and do factory
motherboard pressure. Pneumatics are used to work. It is the most common type of
The place where various parts of a cause parts to move in some robots. robot in use.
computer connect. The motherboard
houses the CPU, memory, and other portable roboticist
parts and is where sensors connect. A term for something that is easy A scientist or engineer who specializes
to carry or move around. in making or studying robots.
motor
A device that changes electricity into program rotor
movement. Motors are used to make A collection of instructions that A part of a machine that turns
robots move. performs a specific task when around a central axis. Rotors
executed by a computer. are primarily used to provide
nanorobot lift in aircraft but are also used
A robot so small it is visible only programming in gyroscopes.
under a microscope. No nanorobots The process of giving instructions
have yet been made, but possible to a computer. rover
techniques for making them are A robot designed to roam around,
being explored. programming language typically on a remote planet, to
A formalized set of words and survey the landscape, take samples,
navigation symbols that allows a person to and make measurements.
The process of a human or robot give instructions to a computer.
accurately figuring out where they are sensor
and planning and following a route. propeller A component of a robot or machine
A mechanical device that is used to that picks up information from its
network drive something forward. A propeller surroundings, such as eyes or a camera.
A group of connected devices consists of a central revolving shaft There are many types of sensors.
that can share resources and data. with two or more broad, angled
Networks can be classified by size blades attached to it. simulation
or topology (layout). A computer model of something.
prosthetic Robot simulations help operators
neural network An artificial body part that understand how the instructions
An artificial brain made by connecting replaces one that is missing, they want to give a robot will likely
large numbers of electronic nerve cells, such as a leg or hand. be understood and executed by the
often simulated on a computer. Neural robot in a safe environment.
networks can do difficult jobs, like proximity sensor
recognizing faces. A sensor that is designed to measure snakebot
very small distances between a robot A type of robot that features a long,
OS and an object. flexible, slender body that looks and
An acronym for “operating system,” moves much like a snake.
a piece of software that manages a radar
computer’s hardware and software An acronym for “radio detection and social robot
resources and makes it easier for ranging,” a system that involves sending A robot that is designed to interact
them to be used. out radio waves and measuring the and converse with humans.
reflected radio waves when they
piezoelectric bounce off solid objects. Some soft robot
Something that produces an electric robots use it to detect things in A robot made using soft, pliable
charge when put under stress. their environment. materials as opposed to hard,
rigid ones.

155

software thruster
The operating system, programs, and A small rocket engine on a spacecraft,
firmware that allows a user to access or a secondary jet or propeller on a
a computer’s hardware. ship or underwater craft, used to make
small alterations to the craft’s position
sonar or route.
An acronym for “sound navigation and
ranging,” a system that involves sending transducer
out sound waves and measuring the A device that converts variations in a
reflected sound waves when they bounce physical quantity, such as pressure or
off solid objects. Some robots use it brightness, into an electrical signal,
to detect things in their environment. or vice versa.

space robot transistor
A robot that is designed to explore A tiny device that is used to amplify
planets, moons, and other things or switch electric current. Transistors are
beyond Earth. the building blocks of computer chips.

stereo camera transmitter
A camera with two or more lenses, Something that generates and sends
or two or more cameras that work a signal.
in tandem, with the aim of creating
an effect similar to a human’s tread
stereoscopic vision. The thick part of a robot’s wheel that
grips the ground or any other surface.
stimulus
A thing or event that causes a reaction trilateration
in something. Plural: stimuli. The method of determining location that
a GPS device uses. It involves the GPS
submersible device receiving location and time data
A craft that is designed to from three GPS satellites and then using
operate underwater. the information to pinpoint exactly
where it is.
swarm robot
A small robot that has its own Turing test
intelligence and can act autonomously, A blind test outlined by English
but also as part of a large group of mathematician Alan Turing that centers
similar robots. on the ability for an evaluator to assess
whether any particular machine can be
tablet computer said to be intelligent.
A type of portable computer that accepts
input primarily via a touchscreen and UAV
outputs information mainly through An acronym for “unmanned aerial
apps (applications). vehicle,” an aircraft piloted by remote
control or on-board computers.
tactile
Relating to the sense of touch. A wireless
robot may give tactile feedback to A type of technology whereby data
a human in the form of vibrations is sent to or from a machine or robot
or physical resistance. without the use of a physical connection.

teaching pendant work robot
A digital device that is used to A robot primarily designed to carry
instruct or program a robot to do out tasks for humans.
a task. It is usually tethered to the
robot in some way.

156 BionicOpter 98–99 coding 45, 62–63
bipeds 34 collaborative robots 26, 54–55, 84–85,
INDEX blocks 63
body language 71 108–111, 127
3-D printing 80, 112, 114 body structure 14 comedians, robot 82
bomb disposal 141, 143 companion bots 24–25
A Braava jet 240 40 compasses 116
brachiation 118 components 14–15
accelerometers 106–107, 116 Compressorhead 83
Achilles tendon 124, 125 C computers 12, 20, 21, 36, 47, 134
Ackerman steering 35 conductors, orchestral 84
actuators 15, 30, 113, 128, 150, 151 cameras 15, 106 controlled machines 46
aeolipile 17 3-D 59, 87 conversation 70, 80, 81
aibo 24–25 4-D 107 cooking robot 86–87
Al-Jazari 16 depth perception 32, 39, 109 coral reefs 115
algorithms 45, 47, 67, 80, 140, 145, 148 driverless cars 100–101 Cozmo 44–45
animals see biomimetic robots and facial expressions 42–43, 70
Antikythera mechanism 16 HD 70, 88, 95, 120 D
apps 38, 41, 45, 47, 49, 56, 100 infrared 117
Archytas 12 Mars rovers 132 Da Vinci Surgical System 58–59
artificial intelligence 46–47, 74, 75, 80, stereo 108, 109 Daleks 22
video 77 dancing robots 88–89, 90–93
81, 140 wide-angle 105 danger, sensing 106–107, 126
assembly lines 10–11, 84 dangerous tasks 12, 60–61, 140–141
assistant robots 42–43, 70–71, 72–73 care homes 87, 90, 96 data
astronaut robots 150–151 cars
astronomical clocks 17 acting on 126–127
ATHLETE (All-Terrain Hex-Legged Extra- driverless 25, 75, 100–101, 106–107 gathering 106–107
factories 10–11 debugging 62
Terrestrial Explorer) 150 valet service 60 decision making 46, 47, 126–127
Atlas 114 central processing unit (CPU) 15, 45, 126 decontamination 143
ATLAS 2030 25, 37 center of gravity 35, 124, 128 deep learning 74
ATRON 127 chargers 96, 109 demonstration, teaching by 52, 55, 57
automata 16–19 chemical reactions 112, 113 disabled people 25, 32, 36–37, 42–43, 97
automated guided vehicles (AGVs) 135 chess 46, 76–77 disaster response 134, 140, 142–143,
autonomous drones 127 children 144–147
autonomous robots 46 ill/injured 36–37, 91 divers 104–105
autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) with special needs 48–49, 88 Dr Who 22
Chimp 27, 144–147 doctors
115 circuit boards 13 remote 61
avatars 91, 104 citizenship 80 virtual 140
cleaning 40–41, 46, 127 dolls, mechanical 18–19
B clocks 16–17 Dragon Runner 134
Cobalt 60 Dragonfly spacecraft 114
balance 34, 35, 118 cockpits 138, 139 drones 24, 46, 98–99, 126, 127, 128–129,
batteries, high performance 100 smart 101 136–137, 140, 149
Baxter 54–55
biomimetic robots 20–21, 24–25, 27, 30–33,

96–99, 108–113, 116–119, 124–125,
128–129, 144
BionicANTs 108–111
BionicKangaroo 27, 118–119, 124–125

157

E G integrated circuits 21
intelligence
Eagle Prime 94–95 games 44, 48, 49, 71, 88
edible robots 113 gardening bots 40 artificial 46–47
Eelume 120–123 gas power 113 higher 74–75
Egyptians, ancient 17 gears 45 interaction 13, 75
elderly people 97 general artificial intelligence 74, 75 Internet 13, 45, 90
Elektro 20–21 geological samples 133 The Iron Giant 23
electronics 21 Gimme gripper 42
Ellie 140 Gita 72–73 JK
Elmer and Elsie 20 GPS (global positioning system) navigation
eMotionButterflies 116–117 Jaquet-Droz, Pierre 19
emotions 40, 61, 148 Jibo 24
Greeks, ancient 16 jokes 82, 88
recognizing human 70, 71 grippers 53, 54 joysticks 56, 134
robots 31, 38, 44, 48, 54, 76, 80, GroundBot 14, 61 jumping robots 118–119, 124–125
88, 89 Guardian LF1 115 Karakuri 18
end effectors 15 Guardian™ S 142–143 Kempelen, Wolfgang von 18
endurance technology 124 gyroscopes 72, 116 Kilby, Jack 21
ENIAC 20 Kilobots 27, 64–67
environmental hazards 134, 138–139, H kitchens 86–87
140–141, 142–143 Kobi 40
environmental impact 121 hands 76, 77, 78–79, 83, 85, 86, Kuratas 94
environmental sampling 126 138
Euphonia 19 L
exoskeletons 25, 36–37 hazards 134, 138–139, 140–141,
EXOTrainer 27, 36–37 142–143 language processing 80, 81
exploration 110, 134 languages
help, asking for 38, 127
F Hero of Alexandria 17 foreign 19, 22, 82, 88, 90
hexapods 34 programming 62, 63
Faber, Joseph 19 HOBBIT 97 lasers 15, 71
facial expressions home-help robots 27, 32–33, 38–39, LaserSnake 60
Latro 141
recognizing human 43, 44 40–41, 97 LBR iiwa 52–53
robots 31, 38, 39, 42, 48, 54, 76, 80, 88, hospitals 58–59, 61, 82, 87, 96, 97 learning difficulties 48–49
89, 97 hotels 83 learning, robotic 47, 74, 75, 76
facial recognition 40, 77, 80, 81, 88 human-controlled robots 26, 27, 46, 56, legs 34, 35
factories 10–11 Leka 26, 48–49
FFZERO1 100–101 134, 138–139 LiDAR (light radar) 106, 145, 149
fighting robots 94–95 humanoids 27, 70–71, 76–83, 85, 88–89, light-sensitivity 30, 31, 39,
films 22–23 106, 135
flotation devices 136, 137 90–93, 114, 150–151 Little Ripper Lifesaver 136–137
flowcharts 62 hydrogen peroxide 112, 113 localization 148–149
flying robots 24, 46, 98–99, 116–117, locomotion see movement
128–129, 136–137, 140 I loudspeakers 136, 137
food 86–87 LRI Wave Glider 126
frubber 80, 89 iCub 27, 76–79 Luigi 140
inaccessible places 142–143
industrial robots 52–53
infrared 15, 64, 65, 116, 117, 135
insects see biomimetic robots
inspection and maintenance 116, 120–123,

127, 142–143

158 Octobot 112–113 rescue robots 136–137, 144–147
offline programming 62–63 ReWalk 6.0 exoskeleton 36
M OLED (organic light-emitting diode) 25 Rimac C_Two 25
online programming 56–57, 62 Robby the Robot 22
Machina Speculatrix 20 operations, surgical 58–59 RoboBees 128–129
machine learning 74 RoboCourier 82
mapping 148–149 PQ Robot Operating System (ROS) 63
marine robots 115 RoboThespian 82
Mars 150, 151 PackBot 141 robotic arms 14, 21, 26, 52–55, 75,
Mars 2020 26, 132–133 parking 60–61
Mars rovers 15, 132–133, 148 PARO 15, 96–97 84–87, 133
MAVs (micro aerial vehicles) 108 Partner robot 85 Robotic Kitchen 86–87
medical assistant robots 27, 36–37 path-/line-following robots 135 roboticists 15
medication, dispensing 40 pendants, teaching 56–57 robotics, rise of 20–21
medicine 58–59, 61, 113, 114, 115, 140 Pepper 70–71 robots
MegaBots 94–95 personal assistants 47
memory loss 97 pet robots 30–33, 96–97 in culture 13, 22–23
Method-2 138–139 piezoelectric accelerometers 106–107 how they work 14–15
Metropolis 22 piezoelectric transducers 108 modern 24–25
micro bots 114 Pillo 40 types of 26–27
microcontrollers 98, 99, 116 piloted robots 27, 94–95, 104–105, 134, what they are 12–13
MicroFactory 114 Roomba 900/980 41, 46
microphones 70, 106 138–139 ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) 120
microprocessor controllers 65 play 48–49 RP-VITA 61
Mini Manbo 134 power supply 15 R.U.R. 22
MiRo 12–13, 30–31 Prague Astronomical Clock 17
Mirra 41 problem-solving 75 S
mobile robots 14, 64–67, 134–135 programming
mobility assistance 97 safety inspections 141
Momaro 149 offline 62–63 sampling 126, 133
monk, mechanical 18 online 56–57, 62 satellites 20, 148
moon 150 PUFFER 127 schools 91
movement 12, 13 puppet-robots 18 science fiction 13
quadrapods 34 Scratch 63
finding a way 134–135 search and rescue 110, 112, 115, 136–137,
legs, wheels, and tracks 34–35 R
localization 148–149 140, 143, 144–147
unusual 118–119 R5 VRalkyrie 150–151 security 60, 61
musicians, robot 83, 84, 85 radar 106 self-driving robots 100–101
radio signals 46, 110, 134 sensors 12, 13, 106–107
NO radioactivity 60, 106, 134, 139, 141, 142
reactions 3-D 70
NAO 90–93 contact 135
navigation 32, 33, 61, 72, 105, 106, 126, chemical 112, 113 distance 135
interactions 71 drop/cliff 39, 135
133, 148–149 reactive artificial intelligence 46 environmental 107, 126
nitinol 99 receptionists, robot 83 fingerprint 73
NOC robots 115 remote control 38, 46, 114, 134 fingertip pressure 77, 78
object recognition 100 remote piloting 134 force 104, 105
obstacles 34, 115, 118, 134, 135, 148 repetitive tasks 12 light 30, 31, 39, 106, 135
OceanOne 104–105 Rero 126 motion 15
octopods 34 optical floor 108

159

perception 32, 46 stress levels 48, 97 vertical movement 119
pressure 15 submarines, robot 115 vibration motors 65
proprioception 32, 76 submersible robots 104–105 vinebot 115
sonar 30, 39, 90 supermarkets 61 violin-playing 83
sound 13, 30, 31, 70, 76, 77 surgical robots 58–59 vision, stereoscopic 104, 105
thermal imaging 106 surveillance 61, 112, 140, 142, 143 voice assistant robots 24
touch 12, 30, 45, 71, 76, 77, 87, 90, 97 swarm robots 27, 64–67, 116–117, voice commands 39, 97
vision 76, 77, 90 voice recognition 90
sewers 140 128–129
shape shifting 126–127 swimming pools 41 WYZ
SharkSpotter 136 swinging 118–119
shelf-stacking 61 walking 36–37
shops, automated 47 T Walter, W. Grey 20
simulators, robot 63 water clocks 16–17
SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and tablet apps 49 water pressure 107
Mapping) 149 Tally 61 weapons 95
slithering 118 Talos 16 wearable bots 25, 36–37
smackdown 94 Tarzan 118–119 wheelchairs 42–43
smartPAD controllers 52, 53 teaching pendants 56–57 Wheelie 7 42–43
smartphones 45, 46, 47, 56, 84, 100, 101, teamwork 110 wheels
140 television 22–23
snakebots 14, 118, 127, 142–143 Terminator 22–23 movement 35
Snookie 107 tethers, electrical 129 pendants 56
snow clearing 40 theater 22 wings 98–99, 116–117, 129
soccer 90 therapy robots 96–97 wireless controllers 64, 134
social humanoids 80–81 thinking 10, 12, 13 wireless network 108
social interaction 71 thumbs 76 work robots 26, 60–61, 108–111
social robots 24, 26, 80–81, 88–89 Titan 114 YuMi 26, 84–85
soft lithography 112 touch control 39 Zenbo 27, 38–39
soft robotics 113, 127 touch feedback 105 Zeno 88–89
soft-body robots 112–113 touchscreen 56, 88, 134
software 62 toy robots 44–45
solar cells 15 tracks 34, 94, 95, 144–145
Sophia 80–81 training 52, 55, 57, 86
Space Race 20, 21 transducers 108
space robots 26, 114, 132–133, 150–151 transistors 21
Sparko 20–21 translations 90
speech recognition 38, 47, 75 trumpet-playing 85
spider bots 141 Turriano, Juanelo 18
spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) 36
Spot 33 UV
SpotMini 32–33
Sputnik 1 20 UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) 24, 46,
stability 34, 35 136–137, 140
Stan 60
Star Trek 23 ultrasound 15, 71
stereo vision 32, 33 “uncanny valley” 81
storage boxes, moving 72 underwater robots 104–105, 107,

112–113, 115, 120–123, 134, 149
vacuum cleaners 41, 46, 135

160

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Dorling Kindersley would like to thank the Universal Images Group (tc). 23 Alamy Stock APA-PictureDesk GmbH (br). 98-99 Festo.
following people for their assistance with Photo: AF Archive (br); Everett Collection 100-101 Farady Future. 100 Farady
this book: Tony Prescott, Michael Szollosy, Inc (cr). Dreamstime.com: Mark Eaton (tr). Future. 101 Farady Future. 102-103
Jonathan Aiken, Daniel Camilleri, Michael 24-25 Alamy Stock Photo: Aflo Co. Ltd. Festo. 104-105 Teddy Seguin: © Osada
Port, Giovanni Reina, Salah Talamali, and (bc). 24 123RF.com: Alexander Kolomietz / Seguin / DRASSM (c/main robot image).
Natalie Wood from the robotics laboratory (bl). Getty Images: The Washington Post (tl). 105 Teddy Seguin: © Osada / Seguin /
in the University of Sheffield, UK; Priyanka 25 Dorling Kindersley: Richard Leeney (bc/ DRASSM (br). 108-109 Festo. 109 Festo.
Kharbanda, Smita Mathur, Sophie Parkes, ball). Marsi Bionics: (cr). Rimac Automobili: 110-111 Festo: (c). 112-113 Harvard
Neha Ruth Samuel, and Vatsal Verma for (tl). 26 ABB Ltd.. Dorling Kindersley. John A. Paulson School of Engineering
editorial assistance; Mansi Agarwal, Priyanka Leka: (cl). NASA: JPL (bl). 27 ASUS: (cr). and Applied Sciences: (all photos). 114
Bansal, Kanupriya Lal, Arun Pottirayil, and Dorling Kindersley. Festo. Getty Images: Courtesy of Boston Dynamics: (cl). Johns
Heena Sharma for making illustrations; David Hecker (tl); Chip Somodevilla (tr). Hopkins University Applied Physics
Katie John for proofreading; and Helen Marsi Bionics. 28 ASUS. 29 ASUS. 30-31 Laboratory: (br). SRI International: (tr).
Peters for indexing. Dorling Kindersley. 32-33 Courtesy 115 National Oceanography Centre,
of Boston Dynamics. 32 Courtesy of Southampton: (tc). RSE:RobotsISE.org.
Picture Credits Boston Dynamics. 33 Courtesy of Boston Stanford News Service. : Linda A. Cicero
Dynamics. 36-37 Marsi Bionics. 36 (br). 116-117 Festo: (all photos). 120-121
The publisher would like to thank the ReWalk Robotics GmbH: (bl). 37 Marsi Eelume AS: (all photos). 122-123 Eelume
following for their kind permission to Bionics: (tc). 38 Dorling Kindersley: AS. 124-125 Festo. 128 Harvard John
reproduce their photographs: Dreamstime.com / Prykhodov (tl). 38-39 A. Paulson School of Engineering and
ASUS. 39 Dorling Kindersley. 40 iRobot: Applied Sciences. 128-129 Harvard John
(Key: a-above; b-below/bottom; c-center; (cr). The Kobi Company: (tl). Pillo Inc: (bl). A. Paulson School of Engineering and
f-far; l-left; r-right; t-top) 41 iRobot. 42-43 HOOBOX Robotics: (all Applied Sciences. 129 Harvard John
photos ). 44-45 Anki. 44 Anki. 45 Anki. A. Paulson School of Engineering and
1 The Ripper Group International: (c). 48-49 Leka: (all photos apart from tablet Applied Sciences. 130-131 NASA: JSC (c).
2-3 © Engineered Arts Limited: (c). at bottom left). 48 Dorling Kindersley. 132-133 NASA: JPL (c). 133 NASA: JPL (c).
4 Alamy Stock Photo: Aflo Co. Ltd. (br). 50-51 Dorling Kindersley. 52 Dorling 136-137 The Ripper Group International:
5 Dorling Kindersley. Marsi Bionics. Kindersley. 52-53 Dorling Kindersley. (c). 136 The Ripper Group International.
6 Dorling Kindersley. Festo. 7 Dorling 53 Getty Images: Bloomberg (bl). 54- 138-139 HANKOOK MIRAE TECHNOLOGY,
Kindersley. NASA: JSC (bl). 8 Dorling 55 Dorling Kindersley. 58-59 Getty www.k-technology.co.kr. 138 Getty
Kindersley. 10-11 Alamy Stock Photo: Images: 3alexd (c). 58 Intuitive Surgical, Images: Chung Sung-Jun (ca). HANKOOK
dpa picture alliance (c). 12 Alamy Stock Inc.. 59 Intuitive Surgical, Inc.: (br). 60 MIRAE TECHNOLOGY, www.k-technology.
Photo: Chronicle (bl); ZUMA Press, Inc Cobalt Robotics: Gustav Rehnby (cl, bl). OC co.kr: (tl). 140 Lockheed Martin: (tr).
(bc). Dorling Kindersley. Getty Images: Robotics: (cr). 60-61 Stanley Robotics: (tc). Massachusetts Institute of Technology
baranozdemir (br). 13 Dorling Kindersley. 61 iRobot. Rotundus AB. Simbe Robotics (MIT): Underworlds is a project by the MIT
Rex by Shutterstock: Tony Kyriacou (bl). Inc: (cl). 64-65 Dorling Kindersley: (all Senseable CIty Lab and Alm Lab (cl, c, bc).
14 Rex by Shutterstock: Carnegie Mellon photos). 66-67 Dorling Kindersley. 68- USC Institute for Creative Technologies:
University (tr). Rotundus AB: (cr). 14-15 69 Dorling Kindersley. 70-71 Dorling (br). 141 Farshad Arvin: (bc). DVIDS:
Festo. 15 Dorling Kindersley. Getty Kindersley. 72-73 Piaggio Fast Forward: Sgt Cody Quinn (tr). 142-143 Sarcos:
Images: Monty Rakusen (tl). NASA: JPL (all photos). 76-77 Dorling Kindersley. 76 (all photos). 144-145 Carnegie Mellon
(cr). 16 Alamy Stock Photo: Malcolm Dorling Kindersley. Getty Images: David University. 146-147 Carnegie Mellon
Park editorial (bl). Rex by Shutterstock: Hecker (tl). 78-79 Dorling Kindersley. 80- University: (c). 150-151 NASA: JSC (c).
Cardiff Univeristy / Epa (cl). 16-17 Alamy 81 Matthew Shave for Stylist Magazine: 150 NASA: JPL (br)
Stock Photo: World History Archive (tc). (c). 81 Rex by Shutterstock: Ken McKay
17 123RF.com: tomas1111 (bc). Alamy / ITV (crb). Matthew Shave for Stylist All other images © Dorling Kindersley
Stock Photo: North Wind Picture Archives Magazine. 82 © Engineered Arts Limited: For further information see:
(bl). 18 akg-images: Eric Lessing (tl). Alamy (bl). Swisslog Healthcare: (tl). Waseda www.dkimages.com
Stock Photo: INTERFOTO (bl). 18-19 Rex University., Tokyo, Japan: Atsuo Takanishi
by Shutterstock: Everett Kennedy Brown / Lab. (c). 83 Compressorhead: (tl). Rex by
EPA (c). 19 akg-images: (tr). Alamy Stock Shutterstock: Aflo (c, br). Toyota (GB) PLC:
Photo: Granger Historical Picture Archive (bl). 84-85 ABB Ltd.: (c). 84 Getty Images:
(cr). 20-21 Getty Images: Bettmann (bc). AFP (bl). 85 Getty Images: Haruyoshi
20 Alamy Stock Photo: Art Collection 3 (tc). Yamaguchi / Bloombert (br). 86-87 Moley
Getty Images: Historical (cl); Science and Robotics: (all photos). 88-89 Dorling
Society Picture Library (c). 21 Alamy Stock Kindersley. 90 Dorling Kindersley. 90-91
Photo: Granger Historical Picture Archive (tr). Dorling Kindersley. 91 Getty Images:
Getty Images: Andrew Burton (tl). 22-23 BSIP / Universal Images Group (tc). 92-93
Alamy Stock Photo: Paramountn Pictures Dorling Kindersley. 94-95 MegaBots,
(c). 22 Alamy Stock Photo: Chronicle Inc: (c). 94 MegaBots, Inc. 96 Dorling
(tl); World History Archive (cl). Rex by Kindersley. 96-97 Dorling Kindersley.
Shutterstock: Universal History Archive / 97 AIST: (tr). Rex by Shutterstock: