1. Any mechanical device that can be programmed to perform a number of tasks involving manipulation and movement under automatic control: Because of its use in science fiction, the term robot suggests a machine which has a human-like appearance or that operates with human-like capacities.

There is no consensus regarding which machines qualify as robots; however, there is general agreement among certain people that robots tend to do some or all of the following: move around, operate a mechanical limb, sense and manipulate their environment, and exhibit intelligent behavior; especially, behavior which imitates humans or other animals.

In reality, modern industrial robots have very little physical or no resemblance to humans. It depends on which robot a person is referring to.

2. Etymology: from Czech robota, "work, forced labor, drudgery." © ALL rights are reserved.

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A reference to robotic systems to indicate their ability to perform tasks without human supervision.

A humanoid automaton designed by Leonardo da Vinci around the year 1495.

The design notes for the robot appear in Leonardo's sketchbooks that were rediscovered in the 1950's.

Since the discovery of the sketchbook, the robot has been built based on Leonardo's design; this proved it was fully functional, as Leonardo had planned.

The robot is a warrior, clad in German-Italian medieval armor, which is apparently able to make several human-like motions.

These motions include sitting up, moving its arms, neck, and an anatomically correct jaw. It is partly the result of Leonardo's anatomical research in the "Canon of Proportions" as described in the Vitruvian Man.

A software agent in a mail server that is typically used to send an automatic response to the sender.

Mailbots are often used to send out-of-office replies, but can be made to send back any message.

An automatic machine that is capable of movement in a given environment.

Mobile robots can move around in their environment and are not attached to one physical location; in contrast, industrial robots usually have a jointed arm (multi-linked manipulator) and gripper assembly (or end effector) that is secured in a fixed surface.

1. An aircraft equipped for operation by radio or by robot control, without a human pilot aboard; a drone.
2. An aircraft adapted to control by or through a preset self-reacting unit or a radio-controlled unit, without the benefit of a human pilot.

A small, lightweight robot that fits and assembles parts or components with speed and accuracy, using its ability to grasp, position, assemble, and to adjust workpieces that go with design specifications.

1. An small explosive jet-propelled winged-robot plane, or guided missile that carries a bomb.
2. A small winged missile that is loaded with explosives, jet-propelled, and guided only by a gyroscopic robot device.

A process developed using a robot to remove burrs and other blemishes.

1. The geometric, kinematic, electrical, and mechanical features of a robot.
2. The process of creating a robot.

A cell of machines serviced by a robot for loading and unloading.

Any of the manipulative functions that are incorporated into robot design; such as, a paint sprayer or a simple gripper used to clamp and unclamp parts.

The motions developed by a robot element.

Computer programming within a robotic device in which numerical control techniques form the basis for operation.

Any computer language that can be used to send instructions to or to control a robot.

A group of devices that form a network to control the work of a robot.

Functioning with artificial symbiosis of live microbial parts and the artificial mechatronic elements.