A robot is a moving machine that carries out a series of actions, either on command or by being programmed beforehand, and which can react to its surroundings. Some modern robots can perform tasks without human help, even if their surroundings change. Today, robots are used in manufacturing industries, space exploration, underwater archaeology, healthcare, households, movies, security, bomb disposal and warfare. Advanced drones and driverless cars are also types of robot.

Industrial robots

Industrial robots in factories often carry out tasks that are time-consuming or dangerous for humans. Most are programmed to carry out the same task over and over again. These include welding together parts, painting, packaging or testing products.

Robotic surgery

Robotic instruments are used for carrying out surgery in hospitals. Some operations can be performed more accurately by a robot than by a human hand. Surgeons direct them using a computer.

Space probes

Space probes (unmanned spacecraft) are types of robot. Since the late 1950s they have been launched into space to gather information about other planets and moons. Planetary rovers are also robots. Martian rovers are equipped with cameras and equipment to test samples of Martian rocks.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), also known as a drone, is a robotic aircraft without a human pilot aboard. An UAV may operate either under remote control by a human controller, or by itself, using onboard computers. UAVs were originally designed for military purposes, but they are now used in policing, product deliveries, aerial photography and even racing.

There are two kinds of self-drive cars: partly driverless cars, which take over from the driver for only part of the time, and full driverless cars, in which there is no steering wheel or other controls—the vehicle does all the driving.