2: What is a robot?

This is not so easy to answer! Webster’s Dictionary says:

A machine that looks like a human being and has the capacity to perform human tasks.

So the classic Robot would look like the famous Honda Asimo (pictured right)

On the other hand not all robots need to look human... consider these machines (real or otherwise!) :-

Dalek	Battle Bot	Robot Pet	Bomb disposal

They all look different, but they share one thing in common..

They are able to take in information from their surroundings and make decisions based on that information.

So a Robot has a number of sensors to provide the information. That information is processed by its computer and then it moves or acts in some way.

There is endless variety in the size, shape and jobs of robots. Some robots are used day after day in factories, while others are highly experimental and use artificial intelligence to behave more and more like living creatures. 

Some robots are being designed to perform surgery that requires great precision, explore space, the ocean, other dangerous areas.