Robots All Around
Have you ever wished you could command a robot to do your chores or finish your homework? Inventors have been dreaming of artificial people for centuries. In fact,
Leonardo da Vinci built a mechanical knight more than 500 years ago.
Today, robots do all kinds of jobs
(although the chore-andhomework robot may still be in the future).
This week, The Mini Page explores the different ways these mechanical tools are used.
What’s a robot?
We think of robots looking like humans, and some do. But in any shape, a robot performs tasks that may be too dangerous, precise or repetitive for humans to do. Robots can be programmed to perform jobs on their own or be guided by humans. Some can make simple decisions.
These complex machines can be used in factories, hospitals, homes and mines. They’re used by the military and in space.
Robots in medicine
In hospitals, robots are being used to make surgeries safer, faster and more precise. The Mini Page spoke with a surgeon, Dr. Scott Miller, who works with robots.
In traditional surgery, a doctor makes an
incision, or cut, through the patient’s skin to directly reach the area to be worked on.
Laparoscopic (lap-ahr-oh-SKAHP-ick) surgery involves the surgeon cutting a few small incisions, then guiding a video camera inside the body along with one instrument at a time.
A 3-D view
Imagine being able to step inside a body and look around. You could turn every which way and see how things are connected.
In robotic surgery, the camera provides a 3-D view of the area being worked on. “It’s like you’re standing inside the cavity you’re working in,” said Dr. Miller. The robot can also use three instruments along with the camera. The doctor guides the robot more smoothly than with laparoscopic devices.
“Laparoscopy versus robotic surgery is like the difference between playing foosball and ‘Madden,’” Dr. Miller explained.
Dr. Miller says robotic surgery is easier to learn and doesn’t strain the surgeon’s eyes, neck and back as much as traditional or laparoscopic surgery.
Military robots
Our military uses robots to find and sometimes disarm bombs that are set to kill soldiers. Robots can also patrol areas that are too unsafe for human soldiers.
Some of these robots can climb stairs, travel over mud or fields, and go through water.
Robots taking over?
Some people worry that soon, robots will do all the jobs and people won’t have work. But experts say it’s more likely that robots will work with people, not instead of people.
Most careers probably can’t be completely done by robots, but some of the small tasks of those careers can.