Dictionary of Robot related terms

Android      From the Greek andrö- meaning ‘male, man’. An android is an anthropomorphic robot i.e. a robot with  humanoid appearance. 
The word Android  first appeared in the English language around 1727, in reference to the German philosopher and alchemist Albert Magnus(c1200-1280) attempts to create an artificial man.

Animatronics     The art of bringing inanimate objects to life, through use of robotics, puppetry, and aesthetic enhancements. A rare form of robotics;  Animatronics began as a dream of Walt Disney  in the 50’s, though the idea did not reach fruition until the 1964-65 world fair. The first ride to employ Animatronics was the Pirates of the Caribbean, in 1967.  The four main areas connected with Animatronics are: Movies/Television, Theme Parks/ Casinos/ Museums, Toys, and Prosthetics. 

Anthropomorphic     From the Greek anthropomorphous 'of human form';  Having the nature, resembling, tending to, the form of man.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) A very broad term indicating  the ability of an artifact e.g. a computer, to perform the same kinds of functions that characterize human thought.

Asimov  American scientist and writer Isaac Asimov  born  in Petrovichi Russia on  Jan. 2 1920 (no one actually knows the exact date). 
Asimov's parents emigrated from Russia to America in 1923. Isaac Asimov died in New York on the 6th April 1992 from an heart attack.
Asimov  was best known for his many works of science fiction including of course the 'I Robot' and 'The Rest of the Robots' collection of short stories.  

Automata    Latin from Greek, neut. of automatos ‘acting by and  through itself': A mechanism with concealed motive power. From the Greek Auto -  meaning same, self
Automata and robots are alike in that they are both programmed to repeat a series of actions. Today's robots generally perform practical tasks, while automatons are used for entertainment; see Animatronics.

Avatar   From  Sanskrit, meaning:  'Earthly incarnation of a Hindu god or goddess'. Avatar is used to describe the embodiment or manifestation of an idea. In cyberspace for example,  your avatar is the visual appearance or icon used to represent yourself. In the real world it may be used to describe an Android in the image of oneself.

Cybernetics - The comparative study of automatic communication and control in functions of living bodies. From the Greek  Kubernëtës   meaning a steersman.

Cyborg - A person whose physical abilities are extended beyond normal human limitations by machine technology (as yet undeveloped).

Exoskeleton - From the Greek exö meaning without (outside), a rigid external covering for the body in certain animals, providing support and protection.
Used to describe a body covering that enhances a humans capabilities.

Fembot -  see Gynoid.

Gynoid -  from the Greek gyne (gune), meaning woman.  A proposed term to describe a robot designed to look like a human female, as apposed  to an android ‘modeled’ after a man. The term is not often used since the term android tends to be used to refer to both genders of a humanoid robot.
gynoids exist  in science fiction, art (e.g. Hajime Sorayama), and increasingly, in the sex trade (Real Dolls).

Mannequin -  a life-size, articulated doll used to display clothing. Also refers to a fashion model. 

Robodex - is an exhibition held in Japan each year, which aims to brings together the top names in Japanese robot research and manufacturing.
Tadatoshi Doi, who heads the Sony Digital Creatures laboratory that made the 'Aibo' pet robot, Quotes:
"The purpose of Robodex is to create a new industry for the 21st Century, a new industry originating out of Japan".
"The theme of Robodex is robots that will co-exist with humans".

Robot - From the Slav. robotnik, 'workman'; O. Slavrobu 'servant'. & Russ. robota, 'work'. others suggest that robota actually means 'forced workers' or 'slaves'.
The term Robot was first used in the play Czech novelist Karel Capek. 
(Interestingly, Capek's robots where constructed by chemical means not mechanical).
(Actual literal translation is Rossum's Artificial Robots).

Today, various definition of a robot can be found:
    "A robot is defined as a re-programmable, multifunctional manipulator designed to move material, parts, tools, or specialized devices through various programmed motions for the performance of a variety of tasks.”  (Robot Institute of America, 1979).

    "A robot is an automatic device that performs functions normally ascribed to humans or a machine in the form of a human.” A robot is described as a machine designed to execute one or more tasks repeatedly, with speed and precision. There are as many different types of robots as there are tasks for them to perform. (Webster’s dictionary).

Robotics - The term 'robotics' refers to the study and use of robots. The term was coined and first used by the Russian-born American scientist and writer Isaac Asimov 

The word 'robotics' was first used in Runaround, a short story published in 1942. I, Robot, a collection of several Robot stories, was published in 1950. Asimov also proposed his three "Laws of Robotics", and he later added a 'zeroth law' (0).

0.    A robot may not injure humanity, or, through inaction, allow humanity to come to harm.

1.    A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm, unless this would violate a higher order law.

2.    A robot must obey orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with a higher order law.

3.    A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with a higher order law.

From Handbook of Robotics, 56th Edition, 2058 AD, as quoted in I, Robot - Isaac Asimov

 [ Webmaster ]