ROBOTS & TECNOLOGY - 4TH - 5TH Grades

Robots & Technology

Toyota Robots (video)

A robot is a mechanical or virtual artificial agent, usually an electromechanical machine that is guided by a computer program or electronic circuitry. When robots are virtual software agents, they are usually referred to as bots.

The word 'robot' was first used to denote a fictional humanoid in a 1920 play R.U.R. by the Czech writer, Karel Čapek.

At present times, the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots, as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback, and information processing is robotics.

Using robots

In general, robots can be autonomous or semi-autonomous and are now used in different fields. They have replaced humans in performing repetitive and dangerous tasks which humans prefer not to do, or are unable to do because of size limitations, or which take place in extreme environments such as outer space or the bottom of the sea. For instance, robots can now be used in industry, as in car manufacturing, or they can be used in homes to do the housework. Some robots may respond to speech or be even medical operating tools.

New functionalities

In 2008, Caterpillar Inc. developed a dump truck that can drive itself without any human operator.

A literate or 'reading robot' named Marge has intelligence that comes from software. She can read newspapers, find and correct misspelled words, learn about banks like Barclays, and understand that some restaurants are better places to eat than others.

Baxter is a new robot that is different from other industrial robots because it can learn. A worker could teach Baxter how to perform a task by moving its hands in the desired motion and having Baxter memorize them. Extra dials, buttons, and controls are available on Baxter's arm for more precision 

Concerns

There are concerns about the increasing use of robots and their role in society. Robots are blamed for rising unemployment as they replace workers in increasing numbers of functions.

QUESTIONS:

1. Can robots be useful to humanity? How?

2. Do you think robots can replace humans in the future? Mention positive and negative effects.

Nota: El audio de esta lectura se ha compartido por el chat de grupo.

VOCABULARY: 

1. Autonomous

2. Humanoid

3.Replace

4. Branch

5. Speech

6. Drive (verb)

7. Available

8. Concern

9.increase

10.blame for rising

11. un-employment

12. Useful

COMPETENCE:

Students can read and understand written texts using English as a foreign language.

(Leen y comprenden textos escritos en inglés como lengua extranjera)

capabilities:

1.       Students manage vocabulary given in English.(Comprenden y manejan el vocabulario dado).

2.       Students reconize main ideas, and make explanations about by basic structures given assertively. (Reconocen ideas principales y comentan sobre ellas o responden preguntas de manera acertiva)