A life size replica of Gundam in Odaiba, Japan
Ever since I was a kid, robots has been fascinates me. The best thing about robot is, it was make to help and assist us (human) in many ways. My first memory of robot is from a cartoon series called “Voltron: Defender of Universe” and Transformers. It is interesting to see a human piloting and controlling a robot to fight the enemy. The other best thing about Voltron is it has five separate robots in a tiger form and it can combine and transform into a single huge robot in a humanoid form. It would be awesome if this kind of robot is already built for military purpose. Different from Voltron, transformers are robot that has an Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) which they can think and do stuff without being controlled by human. Transformers on the other hand, are extraterrestrial being or life form in which their origin is unknown. Here on earth we know that we (human) can build a robot but who is the one that build transformers in the first place?
Voltron (Opening Intro) - Brings back the nostalgic memories
Transformers (Intro and Outro) - Most anticipated cartoon during my childhood
Now, the part from cartoon, comics, manga or television series and movies involve with robots, some of the technology is there and can be develop with enough resource and knowledge. The histories of robotics engineering are long before the industrial revolution. Its way back around 350 B.C. where a brilliant Greek mathematician, Archytas of Tarentum builds a mechanical bird called “the pigeon” that is propelled by steam. It is an interesting history to look at.
Source: Terminator Salvation (Movie)
Before we discuss any further let’s discuss a bit about the definition of robot and types of robot. The definition of robot is a bit blurry where there is no single correct definition of robot. The definition itself is broad where it can be defined as a programmable, self-controlled device consisting of electronic, electrical, or mechanical units. In other words, robot is a machine that helps us doing the hard jobs that we can’t do such as being sent deep into the ocean floor or to the mars (Rover) or just helping us in assembling cars and other products that needed to be manufactured.
The word ‘Robot’ actually a new word created in 20th century which comes from the Czechoslovakian word ‘robota’ or ‘robotnik’ meaning slave, servant, or forced labor. There is no mistake with Czechoslovakian word, as robots are used as forced labor for humans.
Source: I,Robot (Movies)
We already discuss a little bit about robots. Now what is Artificial Intelligent? The word artificial brings the meaning of man-made and artificial intelligent is something to do with machine (man-made) that can analyzed, think and make decision on their own. The best example is Transformers. Scientist are currently trying to create an A.I. that can act and think like human but the one thing that separates us from machines is we have emotion that is intangible for the machine to imitate or impersonate. For more reading on scientist creating an A.I that almost has a similar function to human brain can be found here.