Robotics Systems

The field of computer science and engineering concerned with creating robots, devices that can move and react to sensory input. Robotics is one branch of artificial intelligence. Robotics is related the word robot was introduced to the public by Czech writer Karel Capek in his play.

Laws of Robotics Systems

1. Law Zero: A robot may not injure humanity, or, through inaction, allow humanity to come to harm.
2. Law One: 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.
3. Law Two: A robot must obey orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with a higher order law.
4. Law Three: A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with a higher order law.

Recent research and development has addressed a number of aspects of robotics. Robotic hands have been developed which offer greater dexterity and flexibility, and improvements have been made in visual sensors as well (earlier generations of visual sensors were designed for use with television and home video, and did not process information quickly for optimal performance in many robotics applications; as a consequence, solid-state vision sensors came into increased use, and developments were also made with fiber optics).