Robotics Revolution Are we living in the century of the robot Robots perform tasks from choosing our music to saving lives in disasters People working in the STEAM fi elds are inventing amazing new ways for robots and people to work and play together W hat does STEAM W hat does STEAM W hat does STEAM W hat does STEAM stand for Science Technology Engineering Art Math Robots have operated on assembly lines for several decades The new wave of robots work closely with humans Robots have parts that sense their surroundings parts that plan or think and parts that act These parts require different types of expertise Mechanical and electrical engineering computer science and materials science all play important roles in robotics Artists designers biologists healthcare providers and others are involved too What job might you choose in the robotics revolution 4
Robotic Critters People who design robots focus on solving problems Observing an animal’s clever solution for overcoming an obstacle can be a good strategy Biomimetics or biomimicry is the imitation of nature’s models systems and elements to solve human problems From insects to cheetahs robotics designers are inspired by the ways animals move and behave STEAM Spotlight Leaping Robot A ten-inch 26 centimeter tall robot called SALTO inspired by a galago or bush baby can leap 3 3 feet 100 8 centimeters high SALTO’s developers multiplied the height of its jump by the time between jumps to come up with a value called vertical agility 6
STEAM Fast Fact Getting into the Field Some jobs have straightforward paths Doctors study medicine Lawyers study law But there are several routes you can take to get into robotics You could study mechanical engineering computer science biotechnology electronics manufacturing or cognitive science to name just a few Around 1500 artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci made sketches of fl ying machines based on his studies of birds and bats Scientists studied insects called water striders to develop robots that can jump on water 7
