People associate robots and movies. The robo-warriors are in “Transformers”To the lovable and hilarious robo-stars “Star Wars,”These man-made creations appear possible only with imagination.
However, most people are shocked to learn that robot assistants such as Rosie can be used for their everyday tasks. “The Jetsons”Reality is closer than people think. Industrial giants like KUKA robotics and major research centers such as Georgia Institute of Technology, are closer than ever to putting service bots into the American homes – with the Rosie apron aside.
“American culture is very function-oriented, and our robotics research and development has focused on helping people accomplish routine chores using minimum intelligence,”Henrik Christensen is a distinguished professor and chair in Robotics at Georgia Tech.
Researchers and industry leaders are creating robots to be strong, capable assistants. They could help us live longer and avoid monotonous chores the way that the microwave oven and dishwasher did in the 1960s/70s.
Robots are currently found mostly in the manufacturing and automotive industries. However, an analysis by the International Federation of Robotics predicts that the next decade will see an increase in personal- and service robotics. This will lead to a $50 billion industry, compared with the current $5 billion.
“We are only a few years away from service robots that can pick up and transport objects such as heavy groceries and even people,”Stu Shepherd is the president of Americas for KUKA robotics. “The number of possible functions for a domestic service robot are endless.”
In recent years, robots have been developed that can recognize and respond appropriately to humans. Robots can work in many fields such as modern medicine and health care, if they are guided by humans. The Accuray cyberknife, a robotic arm created by KUKA, aids doctors in surgical procedures with precision and accuracy. Robots might even be helpful companions for assisted living facilities.
You don’t have to believe that the robotics industry is at the brink of a breakthrough. Just ask the 1,100 participants in the RoboCup sponsored by KUKA. They saw robots move microscopic matter, perform search and rescue missions, and play soccer. It is possible that the future is already here.
You can find more information about modern robotics at www.robot.com www.kukarobotics.com or http://robotics.gatech.edu.
