What is a robot?

Most people think of robots like The Terminator or CP30 from Star Wars, but actually not all robots look like people. A robot is simply a machine or computer program that seems to have a life of its own. Don’t worry though – a robot can only do what the person who made it designed or programme it to do, so there’s nothing to be scared of.

Robots are here to help

Robots can work quickly without making mistakes so we use them to make our lives easier. That means they can help out around the house, vacuuming or cutting the grass. But we also use them for more dangerous jobs, like disposing of bombs. If someone makes a mistake and the robot is damaged or destroyed, a new one can be built. But you can’t replace a person.

Space robots

There are two robots on the planet Mars working to send us information about what is happening in space. It takes such a long time to send a signal from Earth to Mars so the robots have to work without any commands. But because they don’t get old in the way that we do and they don’t have feelings, they can work on their own without getting lonely or tired like people would. As our space technology gets more and more advanced, one day you might be able to go and visit them.

Robots in the UAE

The government of the UAE recognises how important robots are for the future. It wants its citizens – yes that means you! – to come up with ideas about the best ways to use robots in the future. There is even a prize – the ‘UAE AI & Robotics Award for Good’ that is given to the best idea for using robots to help solve problems in the health, education and social services departments of the government. If you win, the government may even build your robot. What are you waiting for?

What’s the future for robots?

One day a robot could drive you to school, teach you your lessons and even make your lunch. Who needs parents?

Seriously though, having robots to help us with difficult tasks is a good thing because it gives us more of a chance to concentrate on the things that we like doing. Luckily for us, robots are getting cleverer all the time. There is even a robot called ASIMO that is helping scientists build other robots just like it. ASIMO was the first robot to walk on two legs and he is so famous he’s even played soccer with the President of the United States, taken a selfie with the Prime Minister of Australia and put on a dance show for the Chancellor Germany. We wonder if it included the robot dance?