Roboty

Robots are programmable machines capable of carrying out complex sequences of actions automatically. They can be autonomous or remotely controlled, and often combine mechanical structure, actuators, sensors, and a control system. The word "robot" comes from Czech robota, meaning forced labor, popularized by Karel Čapek in 1920. In Polish, the plural form is roboty.

Early automata exist in antiquity; modern robotics emerged in the 20th century with industrial automation. The Unimation Unimate, installed in 1961, is considered the first industrial robot. Since then, robots have expanded from manufacturing to service sectors and research.

Core components: mechanical body, actuators (electric motors, hydraulic, pneumatic), sensors (vision, force, position), control systems (embedded computers, PLCs, microcontrollers), and power sources. Variants include industrial robots with rigid industrial arms, collaborative robots (cobots) designed to work near humans, mobile robots with wheels or tracks, and humanoid robots.

Applications: manufacturing and logistics, healthcare (surgery assistance, rehabilitation), agriculture, hazardous environments, exploration, underwater and space, consumer electronics and household robots.

Ethics and safety: safety standards ISO 10218, ISO/TS 15066 for collaborative robots; issues include job displacement, data privacy, accountability, and transparency in AI decisions. Safety features include risk assessment, emergency stop, and safeguarding.

Outlook: continuing integration of AI, perception, and learning; more capable cobots and service robots; standardization and interoperability; ongoing research in energy efficiency, autonomy, and human-robot collaboration.