Robotiikat

Robotiikat is the broad field that encompasses the study and practice of robotics—the design, construction, programming, operation, and use of robots. It integrates mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and cognitive sciences to create machines capable of performing tasks autonomously or semi-autonomously.

The field has roots in early automation and industrial engineering, but gained rapid growth with advances in actuators, sensors, and control systems. Industrial robots became common in manufacturing in the mid-20th century, while recent decades have seen rapid expansion into service robots, medical devices, autonomous vehicles, and other intelligent systems.

Core technologies in robotiikat include kinematics and dynamics, actuators (electric, hydraulic, pneumatic), and sensors (vision, depth, tactile). Perception, localization and mapping (such as SLAM), motion planning, and robust control enable autonomous operation. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are increasingly integrated to improve decision-making, adaptation, and human–robot interaction.

Applications span manufacturing and logistics, healthcare (surgical robotics and rehabilitation), agriculture, hazardous or inaccessible environments, consumer and personal robotics, and research missions. Robotiikat also emphasizes safety, reliability, ethics, and governance as robots become more capable and embedded in everyday life.

Education and research in robotiikat are typically interdisciplinary, with universities offering programs in robotics, mechatronics, or automation. Collaboration across engineering, computer science, cognitive science, and ethics helps advance practical solutions while addressing societal impact and policy considerations.