ABSTRACT
The history of robotics is one that is highlighted by a fantasy world that has provided the inspiration to convert fantasy into reality. It is a history rich with cinematic creativity, scientific ingenuity, and entrepreneurial vision. Quite surprisingly, the definition of a robot is controversial, even among roboticists. At one end of the spectrum is the science fiction version of a robot, typically one of a human form — an android or humanoid — with anthropomorphic features. At the other end of the spectrum is the repetitive, efficient robot of industrial automation. In ISO 8373, the International Organization for Standardization defines a robot as “an automatically controlled, reprogrammable, multipurpose manipulator with three or more axes.” The Robot Institute of America designates a robot as “a reprogrammable, multifunctional manipulator designed to move material, parts, tools, or specialized devices through various programmed motions for the performance of a variety of tasks.” A more inspiring definition is offered by MerriamWebster, stating that a robot is “a machine that looks like a human being and performs various complex acts (as walking or talking) of a human being.”
