Robotik

Robotik, often used in German and other languages, refers to the field known in English as robotics. It is an interdisciplinary area that studies the design, construction, programming, operation, and use of robots. Robotik integrates mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and cognitive science to create systems capable of sensing, reasoning, and acting in the physical world.

Core technologies in robotik include actuators and drivetrains for motion, sensors that provide environmental data, controllers and algorithms for planning and control, and perception systems such as computer vision. Software frameworks and architectures support programming, integration, and coordination of complex behaviors, often leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to enable adaptation and decision making.

Subfields and applications of robotik are broad. Industrial robotics focuses on automated manufacturing and assembly. Service robotics aims at personal assistance, healthcare, and hospitality. Mobile robotics and autonomous navigation cover self-driving machines and robotic vacuum cleaners, among others. Humanoid robotics explores human-like form and capabilities. Medical robotics enables minimally invasive surgery and rehabilitation. Other areas include aerial and underwater robotics, robotics in agriculture, and the development of prosthetics and exoskeletons.

Historically, robotik arose from automation and advances in control theory, sensors, and actuation in the mid-20th century, with early industrial robots appearing in the 1960s. Today, robotics is a rapidly evolving field driven by advances in AI, machine vision, manipulation, and human–robot collaboration. Safety, reliability, interoperability, and ethical considerations are integral to contemporary research and regulatory frameworks.