Types of Robots
There are many different types of robots each for performing a specific function. Very often the types of robots are determined by the industry in which they are used or the function they will have to perform. It is important to understand that robots are not the science-fiction “beings”we see in movies where they are capable of human thought and action. They are machines designed to perform specific functions, often tedious functions which would be laborious for human beings.
Examples of robots include: Humanoid Robots (like the science fiction robots) used in customer service and R&D, Hospital Robots used in surgery as well as patient transport and Articulated Robots with multiple joints such as in automotive manufacture, Industrial Robots also used in manufacture. There are many other types but this gives an idea of the variety. Robots are programmable, in a similar way to how CNC machines are programmable.
While CNC machines are generally based on static programming, that is they are programmed to handle a specific function and cannot do anything else, certain robots are often based on dynamic code. This means that they can be “taught” or programmed to respond to external prompts or stimuli and to make calculated corrections in order to work around those factors. However, not all robots use this Artificial Intelligence.