Image via Wikipedia

Technology can be a beautiful thing if used properly. Using technology in the classroom can make the learning process easier and more fun for children who are struggling in certain subjects. By bringing technology in the classroom teachers can really take advantages of what technology can offer.

Getting Information

Thanks to the Internet, students can avoid going through so many books in the library just to get information. In just a matter of minutes they can access all the information they could ever imagine online.

Teachers can also take advantage of the Internet to improve their lessons even more. Teachers won’t just have to depend on their textbooks to teach their students. Now teachers can provide their students with more new, fun learning materials.

Proofreading Papers

There was a time when a majority of people had to use a typewriter to do their papers. If a mistake was made, they had to completely re-do the paper. Thanks to computers, students can quickly and easily correct any spelling mistakes or move things around in their paper. There’s no need to ever have to completely re-write a school paper again.  And they can get great word processing software for free at openoffice.org.

Motivation

The Internet and having all this information at their fingertips will encourage and motivate students to want to learn even more. Students get tired of staring at a textbook after a few hours. With the Internet, they won’t have to spend hours online just reading text. They can browse through images and videos as well.

Better Communication

Technology allows students to communicate with other students all over the world. They can use media tools like xvid codec and web cams to see each other face to face.  They can go online or e-mail other students and ask for help or to just simply chat with other students about a common interest.

Technology can be an amazing thing for students to help them learn their material in a much more fun manner. They won’t have to rely solely on textbooks anymore thanks to the wonderful thing that is the World Wide Web.

Science fiction TV shows, movies and even cartoons produced in the late ‘40s as well as the ‘50s and ‘60s invariably would cast a robotic being or machine in at least one of the main roles. It was fun to sit back and imagine a world where robots would be at their human masters’ beck and call.

Today, that’s no longer something to imagine, it actually exists. Hospitals and other organizations have used robots for years to carry records, materials, and supplies from one location to another, and robotics has now entered into the surgical field of medicine. As updates and advancements continue to be developed, it is likely that robotics will continue to branch out into other areas.

However, like everything else, robotic parts do eventually wear out. When this happens, there’s the question of how to properly dispose of these worn out parts.

Instead of looking at ways to get rid of outdated or worn out robotics technology and parts, there are some people from different areas, including education, government, and industry, as well as others, who are considering ways to reuse robotics software and hardware. There are even considerations being given to ways that robotics equipment and materials, including parts and programs, can meet specifications that would allow them to be re-purposed in different robotics equipment.

Anything that can be done to allow robotics to continue to expand while at the same time giving attention to disposal or recycling issues can only lead to improvements in this area. Like most other forms of technology, robotics will likely be here to stay, and the use of robotics will continue to grow as the demand for this technology increases. As long as there are people who are willing to take responsibility for seeing that this is done with an eye towards recycling or interchangeability, this will be a good thing.

Science fiction movies excel at creating wondrous robots that can be so lifelike or powerful that humankind’s very existence is threatened. The reality is that robotics is a necessary, yet much more mundane, part of our modern civilization. Robotics can be found in myriad forms in our day to day lives, but the following outline some of the more specialized uses of robotics and how they impact our lives.

Robotics is the science of enabling mechanical devices to perform programmed instruction in order to carry out certain tasks or to accomplish specific results. Robotics can include sophisticated computer technology as well as mechanical engineering and design to create a robot that is capable of performing.

The automobile industry would not exist today without the aid of robotics. These large manufacturing plants are filled with robotic devices created to carry out specific tasks more quickly, efficiently and safely than humans could. Robotics are also evident in other types of manufacturing industries such as circuit board manufacture, where such delicate work requires the precision of robotic technology, or in unmanned spaceships or defense drones where the threat to human life was high. Robotics can be found in various industries performing tasks that are too repetitive or menial for human workers, or when speed is of the essence.

Robotic technology is used by police forces to detonate suspicious bombs, and by the military to check buildings in cases of urban warfare. Geographic locations that are too hostile for human life are perfect for robots that can be programmed to collect specimens and data.

Before long robotics will be present in many more applications, and development is already underway to utilize this technology in the fields of medicine, to fight in the military, to provide companionship and more. Those science fiction movies might seem pretty far fetched today, but who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Humanoid robots are a fascinating and frightening advancement in robotics.  Robot technology has been used in Japan for some time to replace humans in certain functions within the nursing profession.  Although they didn’t look human, they talked, gave out medicine, took people for walks, played games and knew people’s names.  They replaced human interaction.  It helps with staffing shortages, but what does it do to the psyche in an already lonely and isolated world?

Now the Japanese have unveiled a humanoid robot whose lifelike features and benefits are even more amazing. They have engineered machines that not only perform human functions, but look human.  They even have human facial expressions.  Basically they mimic a real person through electronic signals.  They’ve already been tested in doctor’s offices and been proven to bring comfort to patients.

Actually, this technology has been around for a few years.  The Japanese had humanoid robotics that were very lifelike in 2005.  They demonstrated a model that even appeared to breath, shifted as if to get comfortable, fluttered her eyelids and gestured.  These earlier versions of the human machine had silicone skin to further mimic the natural features of a real person.  As advancements continue, we can expect these creations to do even more complex tasks.

Whatever the job, the function of humanoid robotics is to create a situation where humans are comfortable interacting and working with robots in a variety of situations.  In some cases, the human interaction is not so much the reason for imitating the human form, but it is designed with a human body so it can more easily perform human tasks.  NASA has a robot that has a human body but a Segway lower body.  This machine is controlled remotely and is basically a puppet designed to carry out jobs meant for humans.  The next advancement will be to create a robot that can learn.  That has some scary possibilities.

Robotics is currently a great career choice, as it is generating a lot of interest by companies worldwide and the potential for growth is quite amazing. People are extremely interested in finding ways to use robotics to make life easier for both people with disabilities and everyone else. For example, prosthetic limbs are being designed nowadays that are much more advanced than what we have seen in the past. Currently there is an arm on the market that is able to grasp a light bulb without shattering it. Scientists are also finding new ways to design robotic cars. These cars will be able to drive themselves through traffic. There is also a market for humanoid robots that will be able to accomplish household chores. So far, most of these robots only do simple tasks like vacuuming your carpet or cleaning the pool, but the potential for more of these kinds of bots does exist.

The United States military is actually one of the places where robots may be used the most. Currently, the military uses robots to do tasks such as carrying things; they are in effect robot pack mules. They also use robots as minesweepers, sending them down roads in Iraq to check for improvised explosive devices. There is also self-flying combat units which do not require any human and can be operated by remote control. In the future we may see robots fighting our wars for us.

Also, currently robotic arms are used in various factories to accomplish a wide variety of tasks considered too dangerous or too menial for humans to be a part of. In the future we should see robotics becoming more and more a part of our day-to-day existence. Most likely, as robots are designed for groups like the U.S. military, the technology will filter to companies that are for profit and then we will see robots sold to the common public.

It’s no longer a cartoon. The Jetsons are here. Seriously, they are!

The truth is it’s something no one ever thought would come around. Who would possibly think robots would ever be real? At least in the science fiction sense. The world is still a long way away from killer robots! (Not saying it will ever get to that point, though, so don’t panic.)

Remember Rosie from the Jetsons? Yeah, well, she exists. She lives inside the manufacturing of a robot built by MIT engineers, and the robot’s name is “Domo.” As far as robotics are concerned, Domo is at the top of the list and pinnacle of technology—because Domo is the first robot, like Rosie in the cartoon, to do household chores, tasks, errands, and other kinds of work. Seriously.

The scope of the creation is tremendous, really: Domo has cameras in his eyes (Domo is considered a “he,” by the way) to help see and adapt to his surroundings, and twenty-nine computer-chip-installed motors inside his body running off of literally a dozen computers that continuously update Domo on everything he needs to do, have done, or will need to do. It’s pretty overwhelming.

But don’t worry. Domo won’t sweat about it. Because robots can’t sweat. And neither did Rosie.

The trick to the programming is that Domo can actually assimilate sizes and shapes with its sensors to actually “learn” where they go—not to mention it can learn by repetition. If you want your cups put away a certain way, you can guide your Domo to it—and he should remember that from then on!

The general goal for Domo is to be exactly what the Jetsons have—fabulous and fun Rosie! Domo will be able to help the elderly with their chores, space travel, and assembly lines. The best part? There’s even a feature that allows Domo to recognize human touch. That transcends technology. It’s not just a machine; it’s your everyday helper.

In the near future, robotics may step out of university classrooms and research laboratories into the hands of the general public. Consider the case of Apple’s iPad working in conjunction with the iRobot AVA.

AVA is a shortened version of the word avatar, a concept made popular by the movie of the same name. The robot itself is maneuvered by commands given through the tablet. It can navigate on its own, mapping out the area that it is moving in. The user can simply tap out the various commands to the robot, and off it goes. There is no need for a remote control to operate it, which shows the advancement of this technology.

The machine is mounted on a deck with three wheels underneath that moves with amazing speed and dexterity. Its fastest speed on the go is six feet per second, and it can go just about anywhere. The software that controls it is the same one that powers the military version of the manufacturer’s Packbot.

Placed on top of the machine is a tablet that is Wi-Fi capable. It is positioned on a pole that can be moved up or down in the range from three feet to a total height of five feet. It can also be controlled using any electronic device with Android capability. Its mapping ability within an area means that it can learn, storing the layout into its memory. This helps to make controlling the robot much easier.

The development is a goldmine of possibilities for those who develop applications, which this device can make good use of. It has myriad sensors that warn it of impending obstacles and noise, has speakers and microphones, and even utilizes lasers to help itself navigate. Its appearance on the market is coming in the near future and the possibilities look to be amazing.

Lately, there has been something of a push toward producing new types of cars which drive themselves. While the technology behind this has technically been available for several years, the fact of the matter is that integrating this technology into an actually automobile has been fairly slow in coming around. While a lot of people would enjoy having a car which entirely controls itself from an “I can read and eat breakfast during my commute, but still be on my own schedule” perspective, the notion that the car might end up making a decision which the driver never would have made (such as tailgating someone, which can easily result in crashing into their back end) can prove to be a supreme inconvenience.

We all have to decide whether or not we are genuinely ready for an era in which cars drive themselves. If we are not, then we either need to put our research time and money into places where it can genuinely benefit us or we need to mentally prepare ourselves for the confusion and the inevitable issues which a self driving automobile would bring into our lives. While having your very own version of KITT would certainly be lovely, it most likely would not have the same moral code and indestructibility about it as that lovely fictional character did.

Keep in mind that the problems which are typically associated with cars that drive themselves are not so much in regard to acknowledging what the conditions are — cars can have ample sensors and can even be more aware than their current masters are. The problems which generally arise with the cars that drive themselves typically come out of the cars not having the same kind of judgment as a human would. If you really think about it, how much do you trust your car? Would you theoretically trust it to carry you, all on its own recognizance, through rush-hour traffic home from work?

You know we’ve come a long way as far as technology is concerned when you’re able to find an old clip of an ’80s show called “Wired In,” starring the famous Ghostbuster known as — you guessed it — BILL MURRAY. Let’s actually call him by the name many remember him as: PETER VENKMAN. Anyway, do a search on the show! Seriously! There’s a clip that’s been found having this young Bill Murray talk about technology and what he’s expecting for the future. Some of the things he said spark some comedy when we think of where technology is now. Furthermore, remember the old Star Trek series with Spock and Kirk? All the ladies wearing those sexy little skirts, and the flip communicators? Don’t those communicators look familiar? You know why they do? Because they resemble something we now have today….

The funny thing about what Bill said in the show “Wired In” was that he touched on some predictions that exist today: GPS, and even robotics. He wanted cars that would talk to you; guess what, we have cars that talk now. As far as robots were concerned, he would’ve been happy with a robot passenger that would pump your gas for you at a station. The truth is we may not be too far from that either. What’s funny is that he wasn’t fond of digital watches. Sorry, Venkman–bag you a slimer, and you’ll feel better, but even clocks have gone digital, for crying out loud.

As for Star Trek, take a close look at that communicator, and you’ll notice it’s an exact replica of your standard next-century standard flip phone many people use today. Divine prediction, maybe? Did Gene Roddenberry acquire ESP? Possibly. Or maybe he battled the Klingons for the gift and won. Either way, we humans have the ability to communicate with each other through flip devices. Beam me up, Scottie.

Technology has indeed been predicted well.