When you think of robots, do you imagine a walking, talking piece of metal? Many people do! While some robots look like humans, most real-life robots don’t look like us at all. They can resemble animals or even things you’ve never seen before. Robots come in all shapes and sizes because they have different jobs to do.
A robot is a machine designed by people to do a specific job. The scientists who create and build robots are called roboticists. Robots often do tasks that people can’t do or don’t want to do. If a job is boring, like doing the same thing repeatedly, or dangerous, like going to places where people could get hurt, a robot is usually built to handle it.
The first robot was built over 50 years ago to help make cars in a factory. Today, car factories still use robots to do many jobs, from assembling car parts to painting them. Robots also work in other factories, building computers and even wrapping candies! They are great at these jobs because they make fewer mistakes than humans, don’t need breaks, and never get bored.
Robots can work in places where humans would struggle to go. Some robots work in very hot places like volcanoes, while others explore the deep ocean. There are even robots in smelly places like sewage plants. And yes, there are robots in space! Two robots named Opportunity and Curiosity are exploring Mars, helping scientists learn more about the planet.
Some robots, like R2, look and act a bit like humans. R2 was sent to the International Space Station, making it the first human-like robot in space. Another robot, ASIMO, can walk, run, climb stairs, and even dance! These robots show how far roboticists have come since the first robot was built.
While it might be a while before robots can do your homework or fly you to school, they are already helping with chores at home, like mowing the lawn or vacuuming. All you have to do is plug them in or press the START button. Who knows what amazing robots we’ll have in the next 50 years!
Thanks to Rowan for asking such a fun question, and thank you for learning about robots with us. If you have a question about anything you’d like to learn more about, just ask a parent to help you leave a comment or email us at [email protected]. See you next time!
Robot Scavenger Hunt: Go on a scavenger hunt around your home or classroom to find items that you think could be part of a robot. Look for things like wheels, buttons, or small motors. Once you’ve gathered your items, imagine what kind of robot you could build with them. What job would your robot do? Share your ideas with a friend or family member.
Design Your Own Robot: Draw a picture of a robot you would like to create. Think about what job your robot will do and what special features it might have. Will it have arms to pick things up, or wheels to move around? Use crayons, markers, or colored pencils to make your robot as colorful and detailed as you can. Show your drawing to someone and explain how your robot works.
Robot Observation Walk: Take a walk around your neighborhood or school and try to spot robots or machines that help people. You might see a robot vacuum cleaner, a car assembly robot on TV, or even a vending machine. Talk about what each machine does and why it might be helpful. How do these machines make life easier for people?
