Robot Friends

Robots are becoming increasingly prevalent in our modern lives.  Here are a few examples of robots and how they are used.
Domestic robots are designed to help with household tasks.  You might be familiar with the Roomba vacuum cleaner.  They've been around since 2002!  Roombas are robots that can be programmed to clean floors, carpets, and rugs.
​Another example of a domestic robot is the Wakamaru robot.  It is designed to be a companion to elderly people who live alone.  It uses AI to monitor its owner's health, behavior, and location.  If it detects a problem, it can contact family members or caregivers!

Medical robots are used to assist doctors with medical procedures.  Some even perform full procedures autonomously!
The da Vinci Surgical System is a widely used medical robot that allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive surgery through tiny incisions in patients' bodies.  Doctors use special instruments and controls built into the robot.  Performing surgery this way reduces the amount of blood lost during procedures, increasing the chances of patients surviving surgery unharmed.

Educational robots are used to help students investigate topics that are interesting to them.  Some are even used to teach kids about robotics and programming!

What is your favorite use of robots in everyday life?