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So... your dishwasher, printer, washing machine, oven, and thermostat? All carry out "complex actions automatically" and are controlled by computers. No one w

by beambot 10y ago

So... your dishwasher, printer, washing machine, oven, and thermostat? All carry out "complex actions automatically" and are controlled by computers. No one would consider these "robots". With all due respect, there is no agreed-upon definition. (As someone with a PhD in robotics, CEO of a robotics company, & robotics journalist for 10+ years. Even my old academic advisor and I had contention around 3D printers.) If that's not enough, here's a proper source: http://robohub.org/robohub-roundtable-why-is-it-so-difficult-to-define-robot/ http://robohub.org/robohub-roundtable-why-is-it-so-difficult... The best definition I've ever heard: A robot is a device that doesn't work (yet); as soon as it works, it is renamed (Vacuum robot => Roomba; clothes cleaning robot => washing machine; etc.)

_0ffh 10y ago
So, same definition as AI?
Namrog84 10y ago
I might be in minority but I always considered most them robots. (depending of course the model and complexity) But then again, I am no one
sndean 10y ago
> washing machine, oven, and thermostat? ... No one would consider these "robots". > clothes cleaning robot => washing machine; etc. So do you think a washing machine is a robot?
- beambot 10y ago
  Nope. It already works.
  - sndean 10y ago
    But that would mean that washing machines were at one time considered robots, but now they aren't ... Ohh, okay, I like that definition too.
jayjay71 10y ago
"A robot is a device that doesn't work (yet); as soon as it works, it is renamed" I love this definition.
speleding 10y ago
By that definition a card board mock up would be a robot too. I agree with the grandparent that a squishy thing that just flails its arms is not what most people would consider a "robot", experts included.