1.2.1 Origin of the word ‘Robot’
Do you know where the “word” comes from? As you might have guess the term “Robot” is a relative newcomer to the English language. It was coined by Karel Čapek (1880-1938) a Czech playwright, novelist and journalist.
On on 25 January 1921 his play, “R.U.R., or Rossum’s Universal Robots”, premiered, it was the first time the term Robot was used. By 1923 this play became world-famous, in a way this play created the trope of robots revolting against their human creators and taking over the world.
However, the origin of the word “Robot” is drawn from an old Church Slavonic word, Robota which meant “servitude,” “forced labour” or “drudgery.” Back in the middle ages all over Europe in exchange for being allowed to live on the land peasants would do all sorts of farm work in lieu of paying rent, this work was termed as robota.
Thus historically robots have always been seen as a kind of mechanical slave to make our lives easier.
1.2.2 Is the mainstream idea about Robots correct?
It’s no wonder, for many, the word robot conjures an image of a mechanical being clad in metal, adorned with all sorts of blinking lights and buttons, and even a funny-sounding voice. Indeed, such robots have become stock characters in science fiction stories, novels, films, and television shows.
But, is that correct? Let’s put that description to the test!
1.2.2.1 Activity
Which among the following is not a robot?
A) Boston Dynamics' "Spot"
B) NASA's Curiosity Rover on Mars
C) A Fully Automatic Washing Machine
D) Boston Dynamics' "Atlas"
E) Yaskawa Motoman MH24
F) The Roomba 980 Floor Cleaner
