Robots today

Summary

This script explores the evolution and capabilities of robots, from the first generation manufacturing robots to modern autonomous machines. It highlights their roles in various industries, including automobile and electronics manufacturing, material handling, and cleaning. The script also discusses the growing popularity of robot vacuum cleaners and their simple yet effective strategies for covering spaces. It delves into the characteristics of robots, emphasizing their consistency, accuracy, and reliability, and outlines their advantages in performing 'dirty, dull, and dangerous' tasks, showcasing their potential to take humans out of harm's way.

Takeaways

• 🤖 The first generation of robots, such as manufacturing and material handling robots, are widely used in industries like automobile and electronics manufacturing.
• 🏡 Robot vacuum cleaners, introduced around 2004, have become extremely popular with over 10 million sold, performing tasks that humans dislike.
• 🚀 Robots are defined as machines that move things from point A to point B, with the ability to be programmed for specific tasks.
• 🔍 Modern robots are goal-oriented, capable of sensing, planning, and acting to achieve their objectives.
• 🔄 The cycle of sensing, planning, and acting is a continuous process that robots repeat to reach their goals.
• 🤹‍♂️ Robots offer consistency, accuracy, and reliability, working tirelessly 24/7 without the need for lighting or breaks.
• 🚀🌊 Robots can perform tasks in environments where humans cannot survive, such as space or deep ocean exploration.
• 🏭 They are well-suited for jobs that are considered boring, dull, or low-skill, which humans are increasingly unwilling to perform.
• ⚠️ Robots are ideal for performing dangerous, unhealthy, or risky tasks, thereby reducing harm to human workers.
• 🔧 The term 'dirty, dull, and dangerous' encapsulates the types of jobs where robots have a significant advantage over human labor.

Q & A

What is the common perception of a robot's appearance according to the script?

People typically describe robots as either fictional characters like R2D2 or manufacturing robots used in industries such as automobile and electronics manufacturing.

How many manufacturing robots are currently in operation worldwide according to the script?

The script mentions that there are more than 1 million manufacturing robots in operation worldwide.

What are some of the tasks performed by manufacturing robots in the industry?

Manufacturing robots perform tasks such as material handling, moving boxes off conveyor belts, placing them in shipping cartons, and stacking shipping cartons onto pallets.

What is the significance of the robots shown in the video taken at the robot exhibition?

The robot in the video is significant as it demonstrates the ability to use sensors to determine the orientation of objects for picking up and moving, showcasing the adaptability of modern manufacturing robots.

How many robot vacuum cleaners have been sold since the technology was introduced in 2004?

Since the introduction of robot vacuum cleaner technology in 2004, more than 10 million units have been sold.

Why are robot vacuum cleaners so popular according to the script?

Robot vacuum cleaners are popular because they perform a useful task that humans generally dislike, and they do it at a very low cost due to their limited computational capabilities.

What is the basic strategy that robot vacuum cleaners use to clean floors?

Robot vacuum cleaners use a simple strategy of driving in a straight line, sucking up dirt until they hit an obstacle, then bouncing off and changing direction to cover the entire room.

What is the difference between the first and next generations of robots mentioned in the script?

The first generation of robots, like manufacturing robots, are fixed in one place, whereas the next generation of robots are mobile and can move within their environment.

What is the role of the 'little dog' research robot in the development of robotics?

The 'little dog' research robot played an important role in researching how robots can plan where to place their feet to walk competently over rough and uneven terrain.

What are the key elements of a robot according to the more complex definition provided in the script?

The key elements of a robot are that it is goal-oriented, can sense its environment, plan actions, and act on those plans to achieve its goal.

What are the advantages of robots over humans in performing certain tasks?

Robots are consistent, accurate, reliable, and can work continuously without needing rest. They can perform tasks in environments inhospitable to humans, do jobs that are considered boring or beneath humans, and take on dangerous, unhealthy, or risky tasks to keep humans safe.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 Evolution and Functionality of Robots

This paragraph introduces the concept of robots, beginning with the public's perception of fictional and industrial robots, highlighting their significant role in modern manufacturing. The script discusses the first generation of robots, which are descendants of Unimation Inc.'s creations, and their various applications, such as material handling and automobile production. It also introduces a modern manufacturing robot capable of picking up objects with different orientations using sensors. The paragraph further explores the popularity of robot vacuum cleaners, which have sold over 10 million units, attributing their success to performing undesirable tasks at a low cost. The script explains the simple yet effective strategy these robots use for cleaning, which involves moving in straight lines and bouncing off obstacles.

05:03

🚀 Advancements in Robot Mobility and Applications

The second paragraph delves into the evolution of robots beyond the first generation, focusing on their mobility and ability to navigate environments. It discusses the development of robots that can move materials from one location to another, such as in shipping ports, and introduces research robots like 'little dog' and 'big dog,' which are designed to traverse rough terrains. The paragraph also touches on the versatility of robots, mentioning flying robots of various sizes. The script then provides a simple yet comprehensive definition of a robot as a programmable machine that moves things from one place to another, emphasizing the key elements of sensing, planning, and acting. It concludes by outlining the merits of robots, including their consistency, accuracy, reliability, and ability to perform tasks in environments inhospitable or undesirable for humans, such as space or deep-sea exploration, and in jobs considered 'dirty, dull, and dangerous.'

Keywords

💡Robot

A robot is a programmable machine designed to perform tasks automatically, often involving movement or manipulation of objects. In the video, robots are presented as integral to modern manufacturing, material handling, and even as autonomous vacuum cleaners. The script illustrates how robots can perform repetitive tasks with precision and consistency, highlighting their role in industries such as automobile and electronics manufacturing.

💡Manufacturing Robots

Manufacturing robots are a type of industrial robot used for automation in production lines. They are depicted in the script as the first generation of robots, with over a million in operation worldwide, essential for tasks like assembling automobiles and electronic devices. The video mentions Unimation Inc. as a pioneer in creating these robots, which are characterized by their direct, repeatable actions in a fixed location.

💡Sensors

Sensors are devices that detect and respond to some type of input from the external environment. In the context of the video, sensors are crucial for robots to determine the orientation of objects they need to manipulate, such as the robot picking up pieces from a bucket. This technology allows for adaptability in how robots interact with their surroundings, enhancing their functionality.

💡Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum cleaner is a type of domestic robot that autonomously cleans floors. Introduced around 2004, these devices have become immensely popular, with over 10 million sold. The script explains that their popularity stems from performing a mundane task that humans often dislike, and their low cost is due to their limited computational capabilities. They operate on a simple strategy of moving in straight lines and bouncing off obstacles.

💡Mobile Robots

Mobile robots are robots capable of locomotion, either by wheels, legs, or other means, allowing them to move within their environment. The video contrasts these with first-generation robots that are stationary. Mobile robots are shown to be useful in applications like material transport within manufacturing plants, indicating a shift towards more dynamic and flexible robotic systems.

💡Little Dog

Little Dog, also known as the 'Boston Dynamics Spot,' is a research robot featured in the video that plays a significant role in studying how robots can navigate rough terrain. It demonstrates advancements in robotic mobility and balance, showcasing the potential for robots to operate in challenging outdoor environments.

💡Big Dog

Big Dog is a larger version of the Little Dog robot, designed to carry heavy loads over uneven terrain. The video demonstrates its stability and ability to recover from disturbances, like being kicked, which underscores the progress in creating robust and adaptable robots for real-world applications.

💡Flying Robots

Flying robots, or drones, are unmanned aerial vehicles that can fly. The video mentions both large-scale drones like the Global Hawk and smaller ones, indicating the diversity in robot design and function. These robots can access areas that are difficult or impossible for ground-based robots, expanding the scope of robotic applications.

💡Goal-Oriented

A goal-oriented machine is one designed to achieve a specific outcome. In robotics, this means the robot has a purpose, such as moving an object from one place to another. The video emphasizes that robots are not just machines that move; they are designed with objectives in mind, capable of sensing, planning, and acting to achieve their goals.

💡Sensing, Planning, and Acting

These are three key actions that robots perform in a continuous loop to achieve their goals. Sensing involves gathering information about the environment, planning is the process of determining how to achieve the goal based on the sensed data, and acting is the execution of the plan. The video uses these terms to describe the operational cycle of robots, highlighting their autonomous and adaptive nature.

💡Dirty, Dull, and Dangerous

This phrase encapsulates the types of jobs where robots have a significant advantage over humans. 'Dirty' and 'dangerous' refer to tasks that are unsuitable for humans due to environmental hazards or risks, while 'dull' refers to repetitive tasks that humans find boring. The video suggests that robots are well-suited for these roles, either because they can perform tasks in inhospitable conditions or because they can execute repetitive tasks without fatigue.

Highlights

People typically envision fictional robots like R2D2 or manufacturing robots when asked about robots.

There are over 1 million manufacturing robots worldwide, essential for modern manufacturing of automobiles and electronics.

Manufacturing robots also handle material, moving boxes and shipping cartons, and are direct descendants of Unimation Inc.'s creations.

Modern manufacturing robots can pick up objects in different orientations using sensors to determine the correct gripper orientation.

Robot vacuum cleaners, introduced in 2004, have sold over 10 million units due to their low cost and utility.

These vacuum cleaners operate with limited computational power, using a simple strategy of driving in straight lines and bouncing off obstacles.

The Roomba robot's cleaning pattern is demonstrated, showing its coverage of a room with some areas cleaned more frequently than others.

Robots are being scaled up for tasks like moving containers in shipping ports, showcasing their adaptability.

Next-generation robots are mobile and can move within their environment, unlike the first generation that is fixed in place.

Research robots like 'little dog' and 'big dog' are being developed to walk competently over rough terrain.

Big dog robots can carry heavy payloads and maintain stability on uneven surfaces, even when kicked.

Robots are not limited to wheels and legs; they can also fly, with examples ranging from large-scale Global Hawks to tiny flying robots.

A simple definition of a robot is a machine that moves things from point A to point B, programmable to adjust these points.

A more complex definition views robots as goal-oriented machines that can sense, plan, and act to achieve their goals.

Robots are consistent, accurate, and reliable, working tirelessly 24/7 without the need for light or breaks.

Robots can perform tasks in environments inhospitable to humans, such as space or deep oceans.

They take on jobs considered dull, dangerous, or dirty, reflecting their advantage in areas where human labor is less desirable or feasible.

Transcripts

If you ask people today to say what a robot looks like, they're either going to tell you

about a fictional robot, like R2D2 or they're going to mention a manufacturing robot such

as the one shown here and there are many many of these robots at work on the planet today,

more than 1 million of them and they underpin a lot of modern manufacturing, of automobiles,

of electronic devices, like computers.

They also do a lot of material handling, moving boxes off conveyor belts and putting them

in shipping cartons, even picking up shipping cartons and putting them onto pallets and

so on. Robots such as this represent the first generation of robots. They are really direct

descendants of the robots created by Unimation Inc. that we talked about in the last section.

Here's an example of a modern manufacturing robot at work. This is a video that I took

at a robot exhibition last year. And what we can see is the robot is moving and picking

up a piece from the bucket at the bottom of the ramp, and you can see that the pieces

are all in different orientations and the robot has got some sensors so that it can determine

the orientation of its gripper that it needs to adopt in order to pick-up the object, and

once it has done that, moves it to the top of the ramp and lets it go. This robot is

performing an endless loop of pick up the thing from location A and drop it at location B.

Another type of robot is this. This is the robot vacuum cleaner and this is a technology

that was introduced around 2004 and since that time they became enormously popular,

more than 10 million of them have been sold. So the manufacturing robot that we saw a moment

ago is a technology that's nearly 60 years old and there’s a million of them at work. This

technology which is only just over a decade old has sold more than 10 million of them.

One of the reasons these robots are so popular is they perform a very useful task, a task

that human beings don't like doing so much, and they do it for a very low price. The reason

that they're able to build a robot for such a low cost is it has got really limited computational

capability and robots are able to clean the floor by adopting a very very simple strategy.

The robot doesn't actually know where it is. What it does is just drives in a straight

line, sucking up dirt until it hits an obstacle and bounces off the obstacle and then goes

in a different direction.

So this time lapse picture here, shows the path of a Roomba robot cleaning a living room

and we can see where it's bounced off the walls and off the furniture. By adopting this

very simple strategy, we can cover the whole room. It's clear though, that some parts of

the room are covered many many times and some parts of the room are covered not very often

at all. We can imagine scaling up a technology like

that vacuum cleaner to a robot system that's able to pick up and put down containers in

a shipping port, and in fact people have built remote systems to do this.

So these robots pick up a container at location A and transport it to location B, when they

put it down again. Robots that move materials from location A to location B, inside manufacturing

plants are now really quite common, and this separates them from the first generation of

robots. The manufacturing robots which are fixed at a single place in the world, the

next generation of robots are able to move within the environment.

Here we see a research robot called little dog, and it played a really important role

in research into how we plan where robots place their feet in order to walk competently

over very rough and uneven terrain.

Here we see the big brother of little dog, logically called big dog, and this is a robot

that's able to carry quite a large payload over very rough terrain in realistic outdoor

environments. Here we see a demonstration of the stability of this robot walking over

ice and being kicked in the side and able to recover its balance and keep on walking.

Once again we can see a wonderful demonstration of its ability to recover from very very difficult situations.

In addition to wheels and legs, robots can also fly and people have demonstrated very

large scale flying robots like the Global Hawk here on the left and really, really small

flying robots are shown here on the right. So what's the definition of a robot? A definition

that I like a lot and I think is actually very very useful, even though it's perhaps

a little simple is it's a machine that moves things from A to B. Now, it's a programmable

machine so we can control the location A and the location B and perhaps the location A

is a function of information that the robot picks up from its sensors. But in the simplest

case, a robot is a machine that moves things from A to B.

From mobile robots such as those that have got wheels or legs or propellers and can fly,

we can think of it as a machine that moves automatically from location A to location

B. A high level, a more complex definition of a robot that I like is it is a goal-oriented

machine that can sense, plan and act, and this phrase catches, I think the four really

key elements of a robot. The first thing is, it's a machine that has

a goal. There's something that it wants to achieve, it wants to deliver itself from one

place to another or it wants to move something from one place to another, so that is its

goal.

In the example of the manufacturing robot, we saw that it was able to sense where are

the white objects that it wanted to pick-up. We saw with a little dog walking robot, it

was able to sense the shape of its environment in order to determine where its feet should

go and that brings us then to the next part, that is to plan. So once the robot has sensed

where it is and sensed something about the environment in which it's moving, then it

makes a plan to bring the robot closer to its goal and once it's created a plan in order

to move closer to its goal, then it acts.

It moves the wheels, it moves the legs, it changes the speed on the propellers, in order

for the robot to get closer towards the goal. And it repeats these three actions continuously.

It senses, it plans, it acts. It senses the state of the world again and it updates its

plan and then it acts a bit more and so on until it reaches the goal. What are the characteristics

of robots? Why are robots useful to us? Well, they have a number of merits. First of all

robots are very consistent, they pay attention all the time, unlike human beings.

Robots are also very accurate. The manufacturing robots that we saw earlier are able to position

the end of the robot to an accuracy of a fraction of a millimeter, every single time they perform

the operation and they're also very, very reliable. They can work 24 by 7. They don't

even need the lights on in order to do their job. So this means that robots are able to

do a number of things that people can't do. They can go into space, they can go deep into

the oceans where human beings are just not able to survive. They also do things that

human beings won't do. These are jobs that are boring or dull.

And increasingly there are a lot of low-skill jobs in agriculture and in manufacturing where

it's very difficult to find human beings willing to do that work. These are jobs human beings

now consider are beneath them and won't do. Now robots are going to move into that job

vacuum. And finally, robots do things that people shouldn't do. They can perform jobs

that are dangerous, unhealthy or risky, that is, the robots take people out of harm's way

and I think that's a very great thing that robots can do.

People often use the expression, 'dirty, dull and dangerous' to reflect the three classes

of jobs where robots have considerable advantage over human beings. The dirty and dangerous

jobs are the ones that human beings shouldn't do and the dull jobs are the ones that human

beings don't want to do.