Introduction:

Robotics is an interdisciplinary field of knowledge that combines mechanics, automation, electronics, sensors, cybernetics, and computer science. It also involves considerations about artificial intelligence, with robotics often being associated with it.

The term 'robot' was first used in 1921 by Czech writer Karel Čapek in his play. He used the term to describe a machine-slave that replaced humans in the most arduous tasks. However, the development of robotics as a scientific discipline began in 1961 when General Motors launched the first manipulator working on a production line.

Robotics is a relatively new field that combines various traditional branches of technical sciences. It has taken over many areas of human life, finding applications in hospitals, the military, police, industry, and even in households. Tasks requiring speed, precision, reliability, and durability can now be done much faster by robots than by humans. As a result, many tasks in production plants that were once carried out by humans have now been automated. This has led to reduced production costs, particularly in the automotive and electronics industries.

The development of robotics is influencing its increasingly frequent and widespread use in human life, improving its quality. According to recent research, despite the global crisis, the Polish robotics market is still expected to grow. More and more small and medium-sized enterprises are focusing on progress and innovation, as well as automating production lines. Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in the popularity of welding robots. According to the International Federation of Robotics, from 1961 – when the first industrial robots were used in General Motors' factory in New Jersey – until 2008, around 2 million such devices were installed worldwide. In Poland, there are currently only a few thousand.

It is estimated that the number of robotic positions in small and medium-sized enterprises will increase. As this part of the market develops, there will also be greater integration of robotic stations and cooperation between operators and robots. Polish suppliers expect further growth in the Polish robotics market despite the current downturn in the automotive industry. The catalyst for this is expected to be several economic and technological factors. The future of robotics in the eyes of suppliers also includes expanding the robot safety system, including features such as muting (automatic suspension of functions), safety eye (visual monitoring), light columns, and extending the control system with built-in wireless communication cards. The increasing competition from Western suppliers, especially German and Italian ones, will be a challenge for Polish integrators.

Robots are capable of performing household tasks for humans. This is arguably the most popular aspect of the human-machine relationship. We encounter robots much more often in stores and homes than before, and we believe that new devices will help us in everyday life. Other factors also influence this, some of which are difficult to measure – such as the deficit of free time or the gradual enrichment of society, even in Poland. The actual number of domestic robots may be both overestimated and underestimated, as accurate data in this area is difficult to obtain.

Domestic robots are one of the most common groups. The leading American manufacturer iRobot has been producing them since 2002, and Poles are increasingly choosing from their wide product range. In 2019, this company's products were already present in over 330,000 households in Poland.

For many, the term "robot" in the context of domestic robots is debatable. Are they really full-fledged robots, or is this just old thinking in naming?

Planetary robots and planetary mixers are gaining popularity in Poland. The name comes from the movement of the mixers, which is reminiscent of orbiting. These robots can do a lot – their repertoire includes blending, mixing, combining dry and liquid ingredients, kneading dough, chopping, slicing, grating, whipping cream, and crushing ice. They can also easily be converted into coffee grinders, meat grinders, or juicers.

Your task is to prepare a multimedia presentation on the topic of ‘Robotics – the science of the future?’ in which you present robots that are used in everyday life. In the course of your group work, you will analyse different types of robots, learn about the materials they are made of, how they are programmed and the range of functions they perform.