Robots are part of the technological revolution that

            will bring exciting new changes to our lives.  Robots, like

            computers, can improve the mind and make life easier, more

            productive, and more enjoyable.  Yet, there are still many

            skeptics that think of the robot as just a "computer on

            wheels" that will steal jobs from hard working laborers.

            However, as we will see, robots will actually increase

            productivity, lower prices, provide more leisure time, and

            actually create jobs.

                 A robot, by definition, is a reprogrammable,

            multifunctional manipulator designed to move materials,

            parts, tools, or specialized devices through variable

            programmed motions in the variety of tasks.  The robot and

            the computer are very similar.  In fact, one may think of the

            robot as an extension of the computer.  There are basically

            two kinds of robots - personal computers (called probots) and

            industrial computers.  A probot is basically a personal

            computer with a body, and if it is equipped with wheels has

            the ability to move from one place to another.  If the body

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            has an arm, the probot may pick up and move objects.

                 At the present time, the probot, like the home computer

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            1. Ullrich, p.  4.



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            of 1977, is thought by many to be little more then a

            sophisticated plaything, capable only of amusing guests at

            parties and attracting attention at shopping malls.  However,

            there are so many additional features that a probot can

            possess besides an arm and wheels that its capabilities and

            advantages over the home computer are numerous.  For example,

            many probots can be programmed to speak, this allows them to

            give you verbal information for many purposes.  These may

            include informing you that its battery power is running low,

            teaching you a foreign language, or alerting you that a

                                          2
            burglar has entered the house.

                 Another basic component that a probot may possess are

            sensors.  Sensors give the probot the ability to detect

            light, heat, sound, infra-red rays, and distance.  With these

            sensors the probot has 'eyes', 'ears', and 'sensation', along

            with the power to perceive the distance between itself and an

            object.  It could warn a person about a fire with its heat

                                                                      3
            sensor, or it could detect a robber with its sound sensor.

                 A final basic component of probots is that they usually


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            2. Knight, p.5.

            3. Ibid.  p.  6.



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