Robotikas

Robotikas, the Estonian term for robotics, is an interdisciplinary field that studies the design, construction, operation, and use of robots. It combines elements of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence, and cognitive science to create machines capable of sensing, deciding, and acting in the physical world. The field covers both industrial robots used in manufacturing and service robots that interact with people.

Historical roots lie in automata, control theory, and automation. The modern era of robotics began in the mid-20th century with the development of industrial robotics, culminating in early commercial robots such as Unimate in the 1960s. Since then, advances in sensors, actuators, AI, and computing have expanded robotics into a wide range of applications.

Robots typically comprise a mechanical structure (manipulators, mobile platforms), actuators (electric motors, hydraulics, pneumatics), sensors (vision, touch, force, proprioception), and a control system that processes data and coordinates movement. Software includes perception, planning, and control algorithms, enabling tasks from precise assembly to autonomous navigation and human-robot interaction.

Major subfields include industrial robotics, service robotics, mobile robotics, medical robotics, and autonomous systems. Applications span manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, agriculture, exploration, and education. Emerging areas such as swarm robotics and collaborative robots (cobots) emphasize safe, cooperative operation with humans.

Education and research programs train engineers and scientists in robotics. Industry standards and safety guidelines address interoperability, reliability, and risk management, while ethical and societal considerations cover accountability, privacy, and the impact on workforces.