Robots are machines which can perform complex tasks automatically. With automation in manufacturing and other industries, robots are taking over repetitious jobs once done by humans. The Robot Revolution was a special exhibit at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) in Portland, Oregon.
With regard to etymology, robot is a relatively recent addition to English, entering the language in 1923 from the English translation of a play by Czech writer Karel Capek (1890-1938). Robot is from the Czech robotnik meaning “forced worker.” It is related to the Old Czech rabu meaning “slave” which is from the Old Slavic *orbu- which is from the Proto-Indo-European *orbh- meaning “pass from one status to another.” While robot was popularized in Karel Capek’s play, the word was actually coined by his brother Josef Capek with whom he often collaborated.
Crawling Through Pipes; Seeing Around Corners
To crawl through pipes, this robot has a body which can stretch in an out like an accordion. Each pair of wheels presses firmly against the pipe wall.
RHex
RHex, developed at the University of Pennsylvania, has six legs which gives it great mobility over rocks and sand. According to the display:
“Rhex has carried climate sensors into remote deserts hard for humans to reach. It can leap over gaps and swing itself up like a rock climber.”
Climbing
The climbing ability of robots has been inspired by humans, by the dry, sticky feet of geckos, and by insects.
Medical Robots
The da Vinci surgery experience was developed in 2000 and over 2 million patients have had surgery using this robotic system. The procedures have included prostatectomy, hysterectomy, colectomy, inguinal hernia repair, and lobectomy.
Drones are Robots
Some of the exhibits and demonstrations at The Robot Revolution, a special exhibit at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) in Portland, Oregon, looked at drones as robots. Like other robots, drones can sense, plan, and act. They can be controlled remotely, or they can operate independently.
According to the museum display:
“The sky’s the limit for what drones can do, and people continue to dream up new uses for them. These robots are not without controversy, but their abilities can prove useful. We can send them into dangerous situations, like storms and volcanoes, to collect information. We can use them to monitor endangered wildlife. They can also deliver medicine or find people stranded far from other help.”
Drone Demonstration
Museums 101
Museums 101 is a series of photo tours from various museums. More from this series:
Museums 101: The Nevada City Homestead Cabins (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Saddles (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Under the Arctic (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Presby House Bedroom and Bathroom (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Fort Steele Drug Store (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Fort Dalles Museum (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Quilts (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Korean Maps (Photo Diary)