The New Childrens Encyclopedia

Industrial robots

O
 First used 1960s

O

Cost Varies according to use

Industrial robots such as those used

in car assembly lines are computer-

controlled machines that do the same

jobs over and over again. They are

fast and accurate and do not get

tired like human workers do.

ROBOTICS

267

ROBOTIC ANIMALS

In the 2000s, Sony developed a robotic

dog called AIBO, shown above playing

soccer in the 2004 RoboCup soccer

event. AIBO is a complex robot that can

see and hear and has a sense of balance

and touch. The robot moves and behaves

almost like a real dog, for example, by

chasing a ball. Sony no longer makes

AIBO because the company did not

sell enough to make a profit.

Domestic robots

O
 Name Robomow

O

Cost About $1,600

Some robots are designed to take

the hard work out of domestic chores

such as mowing the lawn. Robomow

is a robotic lawn mower that uses

sensors to avoid trees and other

hazards in its path.

TECHNOLOGY

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The Roomba robotic vacuum

cleaner was introduced by

the US company iRobot

in 2002. It works by sensing

obstacles such as furniture

and walls and avoiding them.