The Topic: Robots Easier - Robots are machines that can perform some human tasks or imitate some of the things that a person can do.   Harder - Robots are mechanical devices that operate automatically. They can perform a wide variety of tasks; jobs that are repetitious and boring, difficult, or too dangerous for people to perform. Industrial robots efficiently complete routine tasks such as drilling, welding, assembly, painting, and packaging. They are used in manufacturing, electronics assembly, and food processing.   The word robot comes from the Czech word 'robota' that means drudgery. The science and technology that deals with robots is called robotics. A typical robot completes its task by following a set of specific instructions that tell it what and how the job is to be completed. These instructions are programmed and stored in the robot's control center, a computer or partial computer. Robots come in different sizes and shapes. Few resemble humans as is frequently depicted in science fiction. Most are stationary machines with a single arm that lifts or moves objects and uses tools.   Engineers have also developed mobile robots with video cameras for sight and electronic sensors for touch. These new generation robots are controlled by both their stored instructions (software programs) and by feedback that they receive from the sensors. Such robots might be used on the ocean floor at depths man is unable to reach and in planetary exploration and other scientific research.   Cool Robot Of The Week from the NASA Telerobotics Program http://ranier.hq.nasa.gov/telerobotics_page/coolrobots.html The honor of being listed as 'Cool Robot Of The Week' is bestowed upon those robotics-related web sites which portray highly innovative solutions to robotics problems, describe unique approaches to implementing robotics system, or present exciting interfaces for the dissemination of robotics-related information or promoting robotics technology. Other NASA Sites: 2) JPL Robotics http://robotics.jpl.nasa.gov/homepage.html 3) NASA Space Telerobotics Program http://ranier.hq.nasa.gov/telerobotics_page/telerobotics.shtm 4) Robotic Vehicles Group http://robotics.jpl.nasa.gov/groups/rv/homepage.html   Robot Revolution!: Robots in Portland http://www.teleport.com/~samc/robots/ Here you can find a brief history and other information about robots, lots of links, and some pictures too. Related Website: 2) History of Robotics by A. Currie http://cache.ucr.edu/~currie/roboadam.htm   Robotics Online from Robotic Industries Association (RIA) http://www.robotics.org/ This site introduces the science behind the design and operation of robots.   Tech Wizards http://www.hompro.com/techkids/ This website focuses on how robots and electronics work, how they are used, and provide many resources and projects for kids of all ages to learn the basics, with links to web resources around the world.    After visiting several of the websites, complete one or more of the following robot or robotics projects:   Build Your Own Robot. Use your imagination and found items around your home. Collect items like empty paper towel rolls, tissue boxes, egg cartons, string, construction paper. It's always a good idea to ask first, before using something. You may also need glue, tape and some scissors for this robot building project. Build your own original robot, one that looks like you want it to, and design it for a specific purpose. Give your robot a name.   Write a Short Story Involving Asimov's 3 Laws for Robots (Technology). In his 1950s science fiction novel, Isaac Asimov developed robot characters so that readers see them as people and not just a creation of mankind. Start by visiting I, Robot by W. Hamilton & M. Halm. In the overview section, you will find a listing of Asimov's 3 laws for robots. Write your own story that involves the three laws. By the way, you might want to read this book!   Share Robot Videos. Create your own robot and make a videotape showing how it was created and how it works. Find another class online that is also studying robots. Use epals to locate other classrooms. Swop your videotapes!   Read Nova's Ark. Nova's Ark book was written by David Kirk. You can probably find it at your local library.   Enter a Robotics Competition. Visit First Robotics Competition and learn about this national robotics event for high school students which culminates in a competition with over 10,000 students each year at Epcot Center in Florida. Middle school students are invited to participate in the 'LEGO League.' Get more ideas about other competitions at Robotics Competitions(1) and Robotics Competitions (2).   Once Upon a Time There was a Robot! Write a story with a main character being a robot. Your tale might include a history of the robot and an explanation of what abilities it has. Share your story with your friends and family.   Debate a Robots Issue. Select the topic such as androids, robots, or artificial intelligence. Debate the future. What do you predict? What are your concerns? What are the benefits and fears? When should they be used; when should they not?   Complete a Robot WebQuest. Adapt or follow the procedures found at one of the following WebQuest sites: 1) Robot Discovery by L. Taylor (Grades 3-7) http://www.windarooss.qld.edu.au/Main_Pages/Robot_Webquest/welcome.htm 2) Robot Mission1 by S. Dube (Grades 11-12) http://www.triton1.org/teched/robot.htm   Websites By Kids For Kids BotNet - Robotics Network (2000 ThinkQuest Project) http://library.thinkquest.org/C004986/ This resource provides information about robots and artificial intelligence; ranging from the history and applications of robotics to the different approaches to AI being adopted today.   RoboMates (1999 ThinkQuest Project) http://library.thinkquest.org/27478/ A robot is a machine that works automatically and performs a specific job, saving time and energy without getting bored or tired, and also can be used for messy and dangerous jobs.   Robotics and Artificial Intelligence in the 21st Century (2000 ThinkQuest Project) http://library.thinkquest.org/C007056/ The goal of this site is to introduce you to the world of robotics and artificial intelligence.   RoboWorld RoboWorld (2000 ThinkQuest Project) http://library.thinkquest.org/C004967/ The website features information on robotic technologies, the history of robotics, current research, applications of robots, robots in the K-12 curriculum, interactive polls, a Java applet simulating a robotic arm, demonstrations how robots mimic humans and animals, and references to many other robot websites.   Watch Out! Robot Spoken Here (2000 ThinkQuest Junior Project) http://library.thinkquest.org/J003051/ This site reviews a number of commercial robot kits pointing out the good and bad points of each along with still photos of the robots.   More Websites Android World http://www.androidworld.com/ This site is devoted to androids. An android is an anthropomorphic robot - i.e. a robot that looks like a human. Many android developers call their creations 'humanoids' rather than androids. We also have robotics links, robot links, animatronics links, and research links.   How Robotic Surgery Will Work at HowStuffWorks by K. Bonsor http://www.howstuffworks.com/robotic-surgery.htm Learn about surgical robots that have or will been approved to work in the operating room. Other Related Sites at HowStuffWorks: 2) Home Robots Take On Life http://www.howstuffworks.com/news-item57.htm 3) How Robonauts Will Work http://www.howstuffworks.com/robonaut2.htm 4) Robots To Receive the Gift of Touch http://www.howstuffworks.com/news-item259.htm   Our Robots at the Mobile Robotics Research Group, Edinburgh, United Kingdom http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/groups/mrg/robots.html Learn about the autonomous Lego vehicles built at this facility.   Robot Zoo http://www.sgi.com/robotzoo/ Imagine yourself in a world where nature engineers animals as robots. Where technology animates larger-than-life creatures as master-planned machines. Where brains become computers, muscles become pistons and ears become ultra sensitive sonar receptors.   Robots are Back in the Future by B. Liston http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2392045,00.html This is an article that discusses the wider use of robots in industry today. 'No longer are robots being relegated to the factory floors of car makers.' You may also be interested in the related links at the bottom of the webpage. Another Robot Article: 2) 'Smallest' Robot to Take World by Swarm at CNN http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/science/02/23/micro.robot/index.html   Robots Gallery from the Computer Museum http://www.tcm.org/html/galleries/robots/index.html This site provides an introduction to robotics. By trying the interactive in this gallery and reading the accompanying materials, you can learn more about how robots work and what they do.   Robotics Frequently Asked Questions List http://www.frc.ri.cmu.edu/robotics-faq This list provides a resource of answers to commonly (and some uncommonly) asked questions regarding robotic systems, organizations, periodicals, and pointers to numerous other resources on the net.   Robotics Links http://www.rdrop.com/~cary/html/robot_links.html Here is the links-site for those who want to examine all things robotic. Similar Websites: 2) Chris Hillman's Robotics / Animatronics / SPFX links! http://members.aol.com/C40179/index.html 3) Jeff's All Things Robot http://www.inficad.com/~tvj/jeffbots/realrobotlinks.html 4) Robotics Internet Resources at UMass Laboratory for Perceptual Robotics http://www-robotics.cs.umass.edu/robotics.html   Robotics: Thinking, Sensing, Acting from the Tech Museum of Innovation http://www.thetech.org/robotics/ Discover the history of robots and listen to discussion of ethical issues, or explore a gallery of modern artists and their work. Play with a robot online too! Not To Be Missed Section: 2) Get A Grip On Robotics http://www.thetech.org/exhibits_events/online/robots/teaser/   There's A Robot In Your Future at Discovery Channel Online http://www.discovery.com/stories/technology/robots/robots.html Learn about robots, androids, artificial brains.   Wizard.Org http://www.wizard.org/ This site's purpose is to share information, products, ideas, etc. about robotics, machine intelligence (AI), electronics and microcontrollers.   Xavier from the Learning Robot Lab, Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science http://www.cs.cmu.edu/People/Xavier/ Visit Xavier, a robot that is working in the Field Robotics Center helping to build things.   Robot Kits, Accessories, and Equipment Arrick Robotics http://www.robotics.com/ This manufacturer makes easy-to-use, PC-based automation products including stepper motor control systems, linear and rotary positioning tables, robotic work cells, and automation accessories such as pulley reducers and grippers.   Fischertechnik http://www.fischertechnik.com/index.html Fischertechnik has a computer-controlled robotic construction kit called Industry Robots. The kit constructs four different robot arms and contains over 500 parts. Build a robot with three-axis movement and a motorized gripper or build a welding robot model just like that used in the car industry. Related Website: 1) Procon Technology - Fischertechnik (Press Release) http://www1.tpgi.com.au/users/p8king/releas18.htm   K-Team http://www.k-team.com/ K-Team develops, manufactures and markets a family of mobile robotic platforms for use in education and research.   Lego Mindstorms http://mindstorms.lego.com/ The Lego product line includes: the Robotics Invention System and expansion sets (Exploration Mars, RoboSports and Extreme Creatures), the Robotics Discovery Set, the Droid Developer Kit, the Ultimate Accessory Set, and assorted peripherals.   Mekatronix http://www.mekatronix.com/ This is the website of a manufacturer of Autonomous Mobile Robots, Robot Kits, microcontroller kits and robot accessories, as well as educational materials related to science and robotics.   Robots in Education http://www.robotsineducation.com/ This company specializes in the sale and construction of robots and other electronic products for the educational market.   Robot Kits http://www.sciencekits.com/robots.htm This site features a variety of computerized robot kits rated from beginner to expert level. Learn about the concepts of robotics, sensors, gear drives, electronics, and more.    Websites For Teachers Robotics, the Warner Way by D. Gold http://www.k12.de.us/warner/robotics.htm Hey, did you ever think about building a robot? What would yours look like, how would it work, and what kind of work would it do?   Robotics in the Classroom (Grade 4-6) http://www.occdsb.on.ca/~proj4632/index.htm Created as a follow-up to classroom robotic lessons - - teachers, students, and anyone else who has an interest in robotics can gain valuable knowledge about the world of robotics from browsing this site!   Robots (Grade 6-8) by T. Latham at Discovery School http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/robbie/ Students will investigate robots that help disabled human beings.    robot mechanical device program semi-robot humanoid anthropomorphic prosthetic nano-robot prototype artificial intelligence technology robotics android artificial brain science fiction software 'bot' 'robota' automated assembly industrial robot electronics microcontroller machine mobility computer sensor behavior control body robotics        Created by Annette Lamb and Larry Johnson, 1/99. Updated, 3/01.