1. Robots EQ: How do humans interact with robotic systems?

2. What is a robot?  A robot by definition is "an automatic device that performs functions normally ascribed to humans or a machine in the form of a human."

3. Where did the word “robot” come from?  The acclaimed Czech playwright, Karel Capek, made famous the word robot, the Czech word for forced labor or serf. Capek introduced the word in his play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots) first performed in Prague in January 1921. Capek's play presents a paradise where robot machines initially provide many benefits for humans, but in the end bring an equal amount of blight in the form of unemployment and social unrest.  From about.com

4. How does a robot work?  effectors - "arms", "legs", "hands", "feet"  sensors - parts that act like senses and can detect objects or things like heat and light and convert the object information into symbols that computers understand  computer - the brain that contains instructions called algorithms to control the robot  equipment - this includes tools and mechanical fixtures

5. What does a robot do?  Early industrial robots handled radioactive material in atomic labs and were called master/slave manipulators. They were connected together with mechanical linkages and steel cables. Remote arm manipulators can now be moved by push buttons, switches or joysticks.

6.  Current robots have advanced sensory systems that process information and appear to function as if they have brains. Their "brain" is actually a form of computerized artificial intelligence (AI). AI allows a robot to perceive conditions and decide upon a course of action based on those conditions.  Check out this clip: http://www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu/p reviews/robot_c_products/teaching_rc_ lego_v2_preview/index.html http://www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu/p reviews/robot_c_products/teaching_rc_ lego_v2_preview/index.html http://www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu/p reviews/robot_c_products/teaching_rc_ lego_v2_preview/index.html