Robot Technology

1. Robots are machines of special type. They are considered to replace man wherever he is to do hard, monotonous or hazardous work¹. Robots are sophisticated machines². Many of them are fitted with artificial intellect systems, special programming devices and electronic controllers. Their development required the work of specialists in several technical fields, together with specialists in biophysics and physiology.

2. The idea of robot technology was born in the forties, when the foundations of atomic power engineering³ – the basis of technological progress – were laid. The materials scientists must deal with are radioactive. Besides, the equipment used in obtaining and studying them is dangerous for man. At the same time work with radioactive substances, assembly and disassembly of atomic reactors, the servicing of machines and devices in radioactive zones require human effort. Remote-controlled equipment⁴ helps to solve this problem.

3. Research into radioactive materials is becoming ever more complicated, new problems arising in atomic power engineering and space technology. This calls for⁵ newer manipulators and devices to be handled by an operator. An analysis of these and their solutions show two entirely different approaches. The first one is to bring the operator as close to the object as possible, the other requires remote control. Both approaches have already found practical application not only in atomic power engineering but in underwater exploration as well.

4. Our research and design organizations create robots for assembly operations, robots being used today for assemblying various electronic circuits. Mention should be made that robots are in wide use for performing welding and painting.

5. Robot technology emerged at the junction of two sciences – mechanics and control theory. Its further progress requires a wide application of modern control machines and systems, handled by scientists specializing in the theory of working processes, biology and physics.

Notes

¹hazardous work - опасная работа

²sophisticated machines - сложные машины

³power engineering - энергетика

⁴remote-controlled equipment - оборудование с дистанционным управлением

⁵call for - требовать