A robot is a machine controlled by a computer that does a task. The word robot comes from the Czech robota (“hard labour”) and was first used in Karel Čapek’s play in 1920. Robotics combines science and engineering: design, building and use. Robots work in dangerous places or where people cannot live: in space, under water, in great heat. The Curiosity rover landed on Mars in 2012 and explores its surface. The writer Isaac Asimov (1920–1992) wrote stories about robots. About the future: Robots will help in hospitals. For uncertain predictions: Robots may / might look more like humans. When you read an advert, ask: who organises it, where, who can take part, what are the prizes?
Worked examples
A rescue robot can enter a damaged building and search for people. A factory robot can lift heavy boxes. A home robot may vacuum the floor while the family is at work. In the future, robots might help old people to live at home longer.
Advert (invented): Junior Robot Fair, Tashkent, 12 May. Open to pupils aged 12–16. Three categories: Helper robot, Game robot, Eco robot. Prizes: books and a trip to a science centre.
Class activity
“Robot design”: groups choose one robot and say four sentences about its job and future (can / will / may).
Practice
1
With will: In the future robots ___ (help) doctors.
will help
2
Which language does the word robot come from?
Czech
3
What should you ask about an advert? Name two things.
who organises it, who can take part
4
Why are robots used in dangerous places?
Because they work instead of people and keep people safe.