Forging new generations of engineers

ROBOTICS

What is Robotics? The science or study of the technology associated with the design, fabrication, theory, and application of robots.

What is a Robot? A mechanical device that sometimes resembles a human and is capable of performing a variety of often complex human tasks on command or by being programmed in advance. Robots perform tasks that are inaccessible to humans. In industry and, in particular, in aerospace engineering, they have revolutionized the ability to go into hostile environments.

By Any Other Name Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the branch of computer science that deals with writing computer programs that can solve problems creatively. Robotics is the area of AI concerned with the practical use of robots. Animatronics is the construction of robots to look like animals or humans, such as what has been developed for Disneyland and Disney World. Telerobotics is the area of robotics that is concerned with the control of robots from a distance, such as with the Mars Lander.

Why Learn about Robots? Robots have led to the conquest of space and the exploration of the ocean depths. Robots will soon be capable of assisting and replacing the actions of many skilled and professional workers, such as surgeons. The design and use of robots has already transformed society in many ways, such as in the automobile manufacturing industry and in earth and space exploration. Various career possibilities offered in this field are as unlimited as robots are already apart of everyday life. Working with robots will become common place in the future, and thus, the need to understand these machines and how they work will be important. A specialist in robotics should have a general scientific background and multidisciplinary technical skills in areas, such as mechanical, electronics, and aerospace engineering, computer sciences, physics, computer-aided manufacturing, and management.