Applications of Robotics | Science & Technology for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Military Robots

• Robots used for military purposes.

Industrial Robots

• Application in manufacturing since the 1960s.
• Automotive industry as the main customer (52% of total sales in 2016).
• Significant labor replacement in the auto industry.
• "Lights off" factories like IBM keyboard manufacturing in Texas (fully automated since 2003).

Cobots (Collaborative Robots)

• Robots designed to work alongside humans.

Construction Robots

• Three types: traditional robots, robotic arms, robotic exoskeletons.

Agricultural Robots (AgRobots)

• Linked to AI-assisted precision agriculture and drone usage.
• Capable of herding tasks (1996-1998 research).

Medical Robots

• Examples include da Vinci Surgical System and Hospi.

Kitchen Automation

• Commercial examples: Flippy (burgers), Zume Pizza (pizza), Cafe X (coffee), Makr Shakr (cocktails), Frobot (frozen yogurts), Sally (salads).
• Home examples: Rotimatic (flatbreads baking), Boris (dishwasher loading).

Robot Combat for Sport

• Hobby or sport event where robots fight in an arena to disable each other.
• Development from a hobby in the 1990s to TV series worldwide.

Cleanup of Contaminated Areas

• Robots used for cleaning toxic waste or nuclear facilities.

Domestic Robots

• Robots designed for household tasks.

Swarm Robotics

• Study of multiple robots working together as a group.

Autonomous Drones

• Unmanned aerial vehicles capable of autonomous flight.

Sports Field Line Marking

• Robots used to mark lines on sports fields.

In summary, robots have found applications in various fields, from military and manufacturing to healthcare and home automation. They play crucial roles in tasks ranging from combat and precision agriculture to surgical procedures and household chores. Additionally, the development of robotic technology has extended to recreational activities, such as robot combat for sport, and innovative solutions for industries like construction and kitchen services.