Household Robots

Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

To be able to create a synthetic being that could do the mundane chores of our every day lives, has been a goal for us humans for not just the last 20 years, or the last century, but as far back as the ancient Greeks. In 350 BC, the Greek mathematician Archytas built a steam powered mechanical pigeon, that could fly. In 1495, Leonardo Devinci designed what looked like a mechanical Knight. In 1801, Joseph Jacquard built an automated loom, that was controlled by punch cards. The punch cards being likened to a modern day computer program, that told the loom how to work. These are but a few examples of robotics and automata of old. To find more, a simple web search with “history of robots” will bring up a plethora of information for the budding technologist.

When a person is first presented with the term artificial intelligence, they, as long as they have at least a minimal idea of the meaning, immediately conjure up the view of subservient humanoid robots, doing our household chores, policing our streets, or taking on our enemies in a combat zone. These, although being worked on, are quite some way from being a reality. Although, there are robot vacuum cleaners, and automated (robotic) missiles and vehicles to name but a few, but none of any consequence in human form.

There are many hurdles to be crossed before humanoid robots will become common place, not least of all, the mostly negative psychological effect realised by many who our uncomfortable with a visually realistic humanoid automaton.

Walking on two legs, which us humans take for granted, had the problem of balance to solve, and has only recently been mastered, as represented by mechanoids such as sony’s Asimo. And running, although done fairly well by Asimo, still needs a good amount of work before being able take on a human athlete on a running track.

Emulating the human senses has provided computer scientists and engineers with many an obstacle. Mastering sound, vision, touch and taste have been met with varying degrees of success. Sound and visual recognition has come along in leaps and bounds in recent years, and has given us fully automated weaponry that is able to track a target, and hit it with pin point accuracy. Voice recognition has given us voice activated devices such as those used in security systems, and the ability to dictate to a computer and have the computer generate the text from a person’s verbalisation. Special sensors can be used to test (taste,touch) surfaces, chemicals, gasses etc. and analyse them.

The ability to reason with an automated device or robot, is one area that is a long way from being a reality, but an area that has had, and will have many devotees. There are two main branches of research when dealing with artificial intelligence and robotics, the first being the creation of a truly thinking and reasoning artificial life form much like the robots and computers found in fiction, such as Robby from the film The Forbidden Planet, or Data from Star Trek The Next Generation, or the boy from the film Artificial Intelligence. These, for now, are somewhat whimsical, but should never be given up on, and with future advances in technology will at some point become a reality. The other branch is the more realistic approach to making use of the byproducts of the artificial intelligence research, that can be put to use in our day to day lives. This side has brought us the computer and the parts that make up a computer (e.g. integrated circuitry – chips). Automated weaponry and security systems. Automated vehicles and craft, such as spy planes, and trains. Communication systems, such a mobile/cell phones and satellites. In fact, just about every electronic device that is made contains some sort of automation, including cars, vacuum cleaners, gym equipment, buildings, street lighting… to name but a few.

All in all, we would not have the gadget filled electronics eutopia as we do now, if it was not for the people such as Charles Babbage, Alan Turing, and Steve Wozniak, to name but a miniscule number,  who pursued their dreams and as a result positively contributed to the world’s knowledge of artificial intelligence, robotics and computing.

About the Author

Charles Edwards academic, sportsman, and entrepreneur.. Visit ChuckyWorld, and take your time browsing the plethora of pandamonium within.

The Robot Planet and the Robosapien

Planet Robot $59.99 Planet Robot – Wall Decal

Action Planet Robot $19.99 Action Planet Robot – Masterprint

Forbidden Planet, Robby the Robot $259.99 Forbidden Planet, Robby the Robot – Framed Giclee Print

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Robot $10 Robot

Forbidden Planet Robby the Robot 12-Inch Action Figure $134.99 Hello, Robby. It’s Robby the Robot from the sci-fi classic Forbidden Planet! Black-and-white action figure features 10 points of articulation. Imported from Japan. Robby the Robot from the 1956 sci-fi classic Forbidden Planet returns as a plastic collectible action figure. Robby stands in 12-inch scale with 10 points of articulation, and sports a black-and-white paint scheme. No figure collection for the serious sci-fi collector would be complete without this iconic robot that has become part of pop-culture history! This is a Japanese import by X-Plus.

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Forbidden Planet Robby the Robot Bobble Head $9.99 Sci-fi classics come to head-bobbling life! He’s got two robo-arms to hold you. Makes a great gift! This Forbidden Planet Robby the Robot Bobble Head stands approximately 6-inches tall, not including base, and includes all the details you remember – and love! – about this classic science-fiction character. Order yours today!

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Planet Express $20 A simple, old-fashioned company owned by a Mad Scientist and operated by a cyclops, a robot, and a pizza delivery boy from 1000 years ago.

Robot Versus Robot $34.99 Robot Versus Robot – Giclee Print

Planet $10 Planet

Playskool Alphie Educational Robot Figure $49.99 Who better to explore the world with than someone who’s new to it? This Alphie robot figure is on a “field trip” from his home planet and, with a kooky grin and funny faces, it’s his “mission” to introduce your child to important skills and concepts! There’s practically nothing this little dynamo doesn’t want to “talk about” — from letter sounds and shape sorting to patterns, cause and effect, vocabulary development and much more, your Alphie figure is a whole big world of wonder in one little portable robot buddy. As his buttons light up, and as he “sings” and plays music, your child is engaged with fun quizzes, games and a different activity on each card! Informative fun on-the-go is as easy as can be, too, with this little guy’s handled noggin and storage spot for his cards in his backpack. Simply insert one of the activity cards into the chest panel, and the fun begins. There’s a whole lot to explore when you’re a preschooler and this Alphie figure shares one of the most important lessons, too: discovery is tons and tons of fun! Robot figure comes with 30 double-sided cards.

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Robot Yellow $10 Robot Yellow

Robot Green $10 Robot Green

Red Robot $10 Red Robot

Shiny robot $10 Shiny robot

Robot 01 $10 Robot 01

Robot Skull $10 Robot Skull

Robot – Error $10 Robot – Error

Robot – Message $10 Robot – Message

Robot – Musixxx $10 Robot – Musixxx

Crazy Robot $10 Crazy Robot

Cute Robot $10 Cute Robot

Robot – 24 $10 Robot – 24

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Funny Robot $10 Funny Robot

Robot Calculator Galactic Addition – (White or Green) $14.95 Robot Calculator Galactic Addition – (White or Green) This Robot Calculator has movable arms, hands that squeeze and hold small objects like pens, pencils and his very own night light (batteries included). Plus he’s loaded with other fun features you’ll love: disk magnet holds paper clips and note holder holds notes, detatchable push button night light, and he stands up or lays down flat making him the hardest working calculator on the planet! The Robots measure about 6″ x 3.5″, taking up only a little space on your desk!

Robot Rage $10 Robot Rage – The Kickdrums

The Girl And The Robot $10 The Girl And The Robot – Royksopp

Telephone Robot $59.99 Telephone Robot – Wall Decal

Radar Robot $59.99 Radar Robot – Wall Decal

Sparky Robot $59.99 Sparky Robot – Wall Decal

Super Robot $59.99 Super Robot – Wall Decal

Mechanical Robot $59.99 Mechanical Robot – Wall Decal

Gear Robot $59.99 Gear Robot – Wall Decal

Mr. Robot $59.99 Mr. Robot – Wall Decal

Robot ST1 $59.99 Robot ST1 – Wall Decal

Roby Robot $59.99 Roby Robot – Wall Decal

Cragstan Robot $59.99 Cragstan Robot – Wall Decal

Dino-Robot $59.99 Dino-Robot – Wall Decal

Fighting Robot $59.99 Fighting Robot – Wall Decal

Thunder Robot $59.99 Thunder Robot – Wall Decal

Robot Bulldozer $59.99 Robot Bulldozer – Wall Decal

Robot Jox $19.99 Robot Jox – Poster