There was a time when robots may have been something you mostly saw in a science fiction film. Thanks to advances in modern technology, that’s no longer the case, as there are robots of various sizes everywhere. You see them used in manufacturing, medicine, agriculture, and even customer service. Read on to find out about the different kinds of robots that are out there in the world now and are likely to be developed. Who knows, you may one day have a robot in your home.
Robotic Manufacturing
Manufacturing is responsible for putting together various objects and products you use in your day-to-day life. However, it can also be a very dangerous field that involves many moving parts. Manufacturing may involve dealing with high temperatures and chemicals. As a result, robots have become very useful in this field as they can be put into situations that are too dangerous for humans. They can quickly weld objects together at sustained high temperatures. Take for example your water heater. Robots are often used to assemble water heaters, which require heavy lifting, welding, and high-temperature levels. They also can be effective at testing the hot water level inside these water heaters before they’re sent out to consumers.
After all, if a robot becomes damaged, it could always get fixed and mended for future use, whereas a human being would be injured or possibly killed. Robots used in manufacturing have also helped with inspections for your water heaters, cars, etc. They can automatically inspect various products and quickly detect any defects. Robots can perform any type of repetitive task without needing a break, which can make manufacturing companies more productive. In other words, different kinds of robots can help increase a company’s revenue by producing more products in a timely manner. They also can help preserve human lives and safety since they no longer have to work in such dangerous situations.
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Home Assistants
Whether you live in an apartment or a large home, you understand how much work it can be to manage your residence. The larger the space you have, the more time it will take to clean it. When you’re working a full-time job, like most people, you may simply be too tired to always give your home the daily cleaning that it needs. That’s where different kinds of robots come in to help.
You may have seen those commercials with the tiny robots that can vacuum around the home. These small robot vacuums may be as small as your dog dish. They’re small enough and fast enough to fit into tight areas that may be hard for you to reach with your traditional vacuum. You can simply command them with your Alexa voice to clean any part of your home. When you have these robot vacuums, you can easily keep your home as clean and sanitary as you like. Robots can replace a traditional carpet cleaning service due to the speed and greater efficiency that they can vacuum and deep clean stains. In addition to cleaning the floor, robots may be able to dust, mop, and help with other chores.
In the future, don’t be surprised if you see more robots as home assistants are used for companionship purposes, especially for elderly people. After all, more seniors are choosing to age in place in their homes. A robot assistant can remind them to take their medication, help them get out of bed, and do other daily tasks. Robots can also be used to provide education and entertainment for little children who haven’t started school yet, as well as reminding them to do their homework and other tasks.
Robotic Surgery
You may have already had surgery thanks to different kinds of robots. Don’t worry, human doctors are still a necessity. However, different kinds of robots are helping them with more complex and delicate operations. Thanks to the advancement of robotics in medicine, doctors can perform less invasive treatment on patients. With a non-invasive surgery, not only will the operation go faster, but the patient also has a shorter recovery time to worry about. In some cases, operations that used to take weeks to recover from can now be relegated to outpatient care.
A good example is cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery usually involves intense cutting and incisions on the face or body, especially for facelifts, tummy tucks, and body contouring. It often involves various injections or suction tools. However, with the use of robotics in medicine, there are fewer incisions needed. Doctors can even perform complicated heart surgeries or remove tumors with the use of tiny robots that go into the body and remove diseased parts. As a result, a patient is less likely to have bleeding, infections, and scarring. After all, the more incisions a surgeon has to make, the greater the scar it leaves and the longer it takes to heal. Robots and surgery can also be very accurate and provide a better outcome for the patient.
Automated Agricultural Tasks
When one thinks of agriculture, one may have visions of people picking crops by hand with the assistance of some tractors. However, robots are getting in on the action by helping with planting, harvesting and even spraying. Different kinds of robots are involved in agricultural propane delivery. Propane is a commonly used fuel that farmers and other agricultural professionals need for their heaters, generators, and tractors.
Robots also are great for monitoring the conditions of the field. After all, soil conditions can change quickly, particularly when it comes to the pH level, which can affect the health of the crops. Having robots on hand can alert farmers that it’s the right time to plant a crop or harvest it. They can alert them about invasions from pests or that the soil needs water.
3D Printing Robots
You may have heard more about 3D printing. 3D printing can make production much faster, particularly when it comes to orthodontics or even fencing. A 3D printer can make an exact physical object from a digital model on a computer. It does so by depositing layers of material on top of each other based on the 3D rendering on the screen. A company that specializes in fencing can quickly produce chain link fence materials thanks to the different kinds of robots used for physical printing. 3D printing can be used for a range of objects, such as art, toys, car parts, braces for orthodontics, and furniture.
Robotics in Warfare
Advances in technology are bound to show up in the military. Needless to say, different kinds of robots are used in military defense tactics. Robots have done groundbreaking work when it comes to surveillance as well as combat action. Many tools such as automatic weapons don’t always need humans to operate them, as a robot can be used to do so. Robots are useful when testing out weapons on a gun range. Robots can simulate enemy targets, shoot targets, as well as provide analyzed feedback to soldiers in training.
The military even has certain planes that can pilot themselves. While such planes are extremely expensive, they can reach a higher level than a human, because humans can only go so high up in the atmosphere without needing oxygen. As a result, a robotic plane can venture into areas that may have previously been off-limits.
Of course, military weapons can be dangerous and a source of casualties and injuries. Luckily, robots can reduce some of that outcome by carrying explosives, weapons, and needed supplies to soldiers. For example, if soldiers are stuck behind enemy lines or in another extremely dangerous area, a robot can be sent to get them supplies and ammunition.
Security Bots
Did you know that robots are also helpful when you need to enhance your security? An example may be when you give Alexa a command to show outdoor security footage. A robot can monitor wireless security systems and help control access to homes and office buildings. They can automatically detect motion by way of sensors and can alert you silently or loudly. Not only can they respond to intruders, but they can also provide security by alerting people to fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other life-threatening issues. Both the military and civilian sites also use robots as a way to patrol for danger, such as bombs or intruders.
Exoskeletons
Did you know that it’s possible to wear a robot on you? When different kinds of robots act as exoskeletons, they can help enhance people’s abilities or restore abilities that were lost. For example, if someone suffered a personal injury resulting in paralysis, there is a technology that allows them to stand and walk again by wearing an exoskeleton-type skin or gear. In addition to walking and standing, it can give someone extra strength to do heavier work, such as lifting heavy objects. It can also provide more protection to work in a harsher environment such as extreme cold or wetness.
Autonomous Shipping Solutions
E-commerce and international shipping have never been busier. After all, the pandemic made more people realize how easy it was to order everything online. It also created new e-commerce businesses to account for the convenience people got used to. Therefore, as people buy more goods that more companies are selling, manufacturers need to increase their ability to transport these goods and materials as quickly as possible.
Luckily, there are different kinds of robots that can quickly transport these goods by way of autonomous vehicles. What are our autonomous vehicles? They are the self-driving trucks that you may have envisioned in science fiction movies or cartoons such as “The Jets”. These self-driving trucks and cars use cameras, AI, and various sensors to navigate roads and waterways. Without the necessity of human intervention, these autonomous units can move various objects at a much faster rate. Whether you’re using wooden moving crates that have wine, appliances, furniture, and art, robot-operated vehicles and physical robots can work together to quickly transport and lift these heavy items in an efficient manner.
Delivery by Drone
Different kinds of robots can also fly, and you’ve likely seen their work. Flying robots go beyond the large military jets on covert missions. If you’ve ever been on Instagram, YouTube, or a travel blog, you’ve probably seen overhead aerial shots from exotic places. Of course, if you’re one of the billions of people who have an Amazon account, you have also heard about or benefited from Amazon’s use of drone delivery in certain areas. A drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle that can fly from one point to another while taking a photo or carrying your package in a quick manner.
These drones can deliver any type of item, ranging from medicine to food. They’ve also been used by certain businesses to deliver fuel in remote places. After all, there are still remote rural zones that may not have the convenient access an urban environment does. A lack of infrastructure can make it hard for people to get the necessary supplies that they need, especially in an emergency. Luckily, drones can help them with diesel fuel delivery, medicine, and other things to help them in such a time. With so many calamities happening due to global warming, being able to quickly get emergency supplies by way of drones can often be the difference between life and death in some areas.
Different kinds of robots are making their mark in society. After all, robots may have once been a figment of the science fiction imagination, however many things you may have once viewed in a retro cartoon or a movie are now a part of modern society. Robots are making surgery faster and less invasive. Some are aiding the military and providing more efficient delivery. Robots are not only helping products be delivered faster but are also helping them be produced quicker. As you can see, the sky is the limit when it comes to robotic technology and how it’s helping the world advance. Hopefully, this article has given you insight into the different kinds of robots available and how they may help you going forward.
