Not just Hollywood, Sci-fi movies from around the world have portrayed robots in one way or another. Some of the prime examples that caught our eye were Bumble Bee, Atom, Baymax, Wall-E,  and others. Although they are an exaggerated version of what robots can do, they have been the fictional heroes that have introduced us to the world of Robotics.

Even though we are far from having the technology to create robots like the ones we see in those movies, we are moving towards an era where we prefer speaking to robots for the ease and convenience they offer. When asking Alexa to play our favorite song and when asking Siri to turn off the light, one way or another, we accept talking robots as our future, although the ones we have right now are essentially virtual assistants. 

But as we move towards that future, we are constantly reminded of the two futures they hold for us. One where robots work alongside humans, facilitating the growth of mankind and creating immense opportunities. The other, where super-intelligent robots taking over the world and causing an apocalypse. 

Robots Vs Robotics

Robots and robotics are two terms that are often used but not always fully understood. Robotics is a field of engineering and computer science that focuses on the design, production, and operation of robots. The development of robotics involves creating machines that can perform various tasks, including those that are difficult or impossible for humans to accomplish.

On the other hand, robots are computerized machines that are created by humans and programmed to perform tasks either on command or autonomously. It is a common misconception that all machines are robots, but the truth is that while all robots are machines, not all machines are robots.

The term"robot" was first used by Czech writer Karel Capek in 1921. It comes from "robota", a  Czech word that means ‘forced labor’. And later in 1940, Isaac Asimov, an American writer and biochemistry professor, formulated the three laws of robotics.

The three laws of robotics are as follows: 

1. A robot is not allowed to harm a human, neither through its actions nor through its inaction.

2. All commands given to a robot by humans must be followed, except for those that contradict the first law.3. A robot must protect its existence, as long as it doesn't violate the first or second laws.

A lot has changed since 1921, especially in terms of technology and robotics. Therefore, it has become crucial to ensure that robots are designed with a certain level of complexity in order to follow Asimov's laws. For example, a robot with a single task, such as a vacuum cleaner, does not need to adhere to these laws since they do not define how to be a robot.

Humans and Humanoid Robots

When we hear the word "robot", we tend to picture a humanoid robot that looks like a human. However, robots can come in different shapes and sizes and serve different purposes. For example, cleaning robots may resemble vacuum cleaners, while flying robots might look like helicopters or even bugs. Additionally, some robots are designed to interact with humans and may or may not resemble us.

Developed by a Hong Kong based company Hanson Robotics, Sophia is a humanoid robot. She made history by becoming the first humanoid robot to gain Saudi citizenship. Regardless of whether a robot is humanoid or not, certain factors are essential to define it as a robot, including:

1. Sensors: Robots use sensors to perceive the world around them. These sensors can include light sensors, cameras, microphones, and pressure sensors that allow them to see, hear, and feel things. The specific type of sensor used by a robot depends on its intended function.

2. Actuators: Actuators enable robots to move and perform tasks. Robots use motors and wheels to move, as well as other actuators to manipulate and grasp objects.

3. Programs: The program is what lets the robot act on its own based on what it is sensing. This ability of a robot to act on its own is called its autonomy and the robots with this capability are called Autonomous Robots. But machines, don’t have this ability making them remote-controlled toys that require human input to function. 

Life with Talking Robots

Technology has come a long way since the first programmable robot, Unimate. As we approach the end of the year 2023, talking robots seem less like a science fiction concept and more like a reality. When we think of talking robots, humanoid robots may come to mind. 

However, if we shift our perspective and consider talking robots that are suitable for households, one might think of names such as Alexa, Siri, and even Bixby. But the truth is that these are not robots but rather virtual assistants.Virtual assistants are software programs that use AI and speech recognition technology to provide information and perform tasks. 

There is a category of robots that speak and talk like these virtual assistants that can be easily incorporated into our households. They are called social robots aka companion robots. Like Alexa and Siri, these robots offer assistance and companionship, which is particularly helpful for elderly people and children.

Here are a few examples of talking robots that may revolutionize our lives one day.

Elli.Q 

Developed by Intuition Robotics, Elli.Q is a social robot specially designed for the elderly. Elli.Q was introduced in January 2017, as an AI-powered companion that provides support and companionship to older adults by reducing loneliness and isolation. 

Elli.Q is incredibly user-friendly, even for those with little experience with technology. It interacts with users in a natural and personalized manner, offering voice commands, on-screen instructions, and proactive suggestions to make the experience effortless.

IPal Robot

Introduced by AvatarMind, IPal is a humanoid robot designed to provide companionship and support to senior citizens and kids. IPal is equipped to keep track of daily activities, provide security alerts for medical emergencies, and offer personal care services. In addition to its use in the healthcare industry, IPal can also be utilized in the retail, hospitality, and educational sectors.

Temi 3

Temi 3 is a groundbreaking robot that can interact with humans while providing impeccable autonomous navigation, dynamic audio and video experiences, and advanced AI. These robots are impressive in their Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) approach, providing a range of services like customer engagement, remote assistance, wayfinding, patient monitoring, guest welcoming, education, and virtual learning.

There are even more companion robots called Jibo, Pepper, Vector, Buddy, LOVOT, and more. They represent a growing trend in the development of social or companion robots that go beyond traditional virtual assistants. As technology continues to advance, we can expect further innovations in the field of talking robots, enhancing their capabilities and integration into our daily lives.

A Future With Robots That Walk Among Us

Robotics is an ever-expanding field that continually produces innovative advancements. With their remarkable intellect and extensive knowledge, robots will soon join us as equals. As robots become increasingly autonomous and intelligent, some may worry about the possibility of them taking over the world. However, it's important to note that we are still far from that reality. Let us embrace the advancements in robotics and use them to make our world a better place.