Although robots have been in existence since the late 18th century, they have only been widely used in the last few decades. One might even argue that the true birth of modern robotics occurred when the first commercial robot was introduced in 1984 by Unimation. Now, robotics are everywhere and have become an integral part of our day-to-day lives, but most people do not know about this fascinating and useful field of technology. Here we present you with 10 examples of wondrous robots that you might not have known existed!
1) The Mars Rover
The Mars Rover is a robot that was designed to explore the surface of Mars. It is equipped with a number of scientific instruments that allow it to study the Martian environment. The Rover has been very successful in its mission, and has provided valuable data about Mars.
2) Robonaut – R2 and R5
The Robonaut is a humanoid robot designed by NASA to function as an assistant to astronauts in space. The original version, R2, was launched into space in 2011 and is currently on the International Space Station. The second version, R5, was scheduled to be launched in 2020.
Both versions of the Robonaut are equipped with an advanced dexterous hand that can grasp and manipulate tools. The hand has 26 joints and can move with great precision.
3) The Roomba Vacuum Cleaner
The Roomba is a small, round robot that autonomously vacuum cleans your floors. It has sensors to detect dirt and debris, and it automatically adjusts its cleaning pattern based on the size and layout of your room. Plus, it’s self-charging, so you never have to worry about it running out of battery.
4) iRobot Packbot
The iRobot Packbot is a versatile military robot that can be equipped with various payloads for different missions, including a bomb disposal arm and gripper. It’s been used in Iraq and Afghanistan for tasks such as route clearance and explosive ordnance disposal.
5) Sony Aibo Robot Dog
In 1999, Sony released the Aibo, a robotic dog that could walk, bark, and even wag its tail. The Aibo quickly became a pop culture icon, appearing in movies and TV shows. Despite its high price tag, the Aibo was a huge success, selling over 150,000 units.
6) The R5 Robotic Fighter Plane
The R5 is a small, hand-launched robotic fighter plane. It was designed to be used in combat, and is equipped with an array of sensors and weapons. The R5 has been used in various conflicts, and is considered one of the best robots ever made.
7) ASIMO by Honda
ASIMO is one of the most advanced humanoid robots in the world. Standing just over four feet tall, ASIMO has the ability to walk and run on two legs, and can even climb stairs. Additionally, ASIMO is equipped with voice recognition and facial recognition technology, allowing it to interact with humans in a natural way.
8) HRP-4C Robot Girl
The HRP-4C, or Robot Girl, is a humanoid robot developed by Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. She made her public debut in 2009 at the International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo. Since then, she has appeared in various shows and events, including the 2014 World Expo in Japan. The HRP-4C is designed to look and act like a young woman, and is equipped with sensors that allow her to avoid obstacles and track moving objects.
9) The Pepper Robot
The Pepper Robot is a humanoid robot designed to read human emotions. It was created by SoftBank Robotics and Aldebaran Robotics. As of 2016, the Pepper Robot is used as a customer service representative in over 1,000 SoftBank stores in Japan.
10) BigDog
BigDog is a four-legged robot designed for the military with the ability to carry 340 pounds, walk on various terrains, and climb slopes up to 35 degrees. It is powered by an onboard diesel engine and can travel at 4 mph for 24 hours without needing to be refueled.