In the era of Industry 4.0, robots not only appear in the manufacturing and operating industries but also in many fields such as healthcare, education, and family life. These advances not only help improve work efficiency but also contribute significantly to global economic and social development.

1. What is a robot?

Robotics is a field that combines engineering and computer science, focusing on the research, design, manufacture, and operation of robots. The goal of this field is to create intelligent machines that support humans in performing many different tasks.

Robotics appears in many forms, from robots that look like humans to robotic process automation (RPA) systems, which simulate the way humans interact with software to perform repetitive tasks based on rules.

So what is a robot? Robots are automated machines capable of performing specific tasks quickly and accurately, with little or no human intervention. Over the past 50 years, robotics has made great strides, becoming one of the six key tools driving innovation and digital transformation.

2. Origin of Robots

The term “Robotology” was developed from the word “Robot,” which first appeared in the play “Rossum’s Universal Robots” by Czech writer Karel Čapek in 1920.

By the 1940s, Isaac Asimov, a famous science fiction author, was credited with being the first to use the term “Robotology” in the Oxford English Dictionary. He also proposed the Three Laws of Robotics, which lay the foundation for the behavior of robots and intelligent machines:

- A robot must never harm a human being.

- A robot must obey human orders without violating the first law.

- A robot must protect itself without violating the other laws.

These three laws are still referenced in modern robotics research.

The world’s first industrial robot, Unimate, was created in 1961, to move hot metal pieces from the assembly line and weld them to car bodies. In 1966, Shakey, the first mobile robot, was created by the Stanford Research Institute. Shakey had a limited ability to sense and interact with his environment, but it laid the foundation for modern artificial intelligence and robotics.

3. What are the prominent applications of robots?

Robots are capable of performing many different tasks, depending on their design and intended use. In many cases, robots even outperform humans thanks to their ability to work continuously, accurately and efficiently. Some prominent applications of robots include:

• Automating manual or repetitive activities in corporate and industrial environments.
• Working in hazardous or unpredictable environments, helping to detect and handle potential threats.
• Managing corporate security, including processing and providing important reports.

However, robotic technology still has limitations, such as:

• Robots perform precise surgery but cannot empathize or soothe patient anxiety.
• Surveillance robots can detect signs of abnormalities but do not act to prevent intruders.
• Robots' ability to handle unexpected situations is still poor compared to humans.

Currently, robots can only automate about 25% of tasks in many fields. Although technology is advancing, robots are still completely dependent on human programming. Some tasks, especially those requiring emotions, sensitivity and flexibility, are still irreplaceable strengths of humans.

4. Types of smart robots in the world

Smart robots today are divided into many types, each type undertakes separate jobs and tasks, suitable for each specific application field:

Android Robots

Android robots are robots with human-like shapes, often mobile on wheels or rails. They can imitate human behavior and are sometimes equipped with expressive faces.

According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Android robots are widely used in the following fields:

• Personal care and support.

• Search and rescue, space research.

• Medical, education, public relations.

• Entertainment and manufacturing.

With strong development, the Android robot market is expected to reach a value of 13 billion USD by 2026.

Autonomous Robots

Autonomous robots care capable of operating independently without human supervision. They are equipped with sensors to perceive the environment, collect data and learn on their own.

Some common examples of autonomous robots:

• Home vacuum cleaner robots.
• Lawn mower robots, autonomous drones, chatbots,...

Remote Control Robots

Remote control robots are semi-autonomous, internet-connected robots that allow humans to operate at a distance.
Typical applications:

• Submarine robots repairing oil spills on the seabed.
• Unmanned aircraft performing reconnaissance or mine-detecting missions on the battlefield.
• The system provides sensory feedback, helping the operator interact with the remote environment, even dangerous environments.

Industrial Robots

Industrial robots are designed to perform specific functions in a production or processing line. These robots help optimize manufacturing processes by:

• Increasing productivity and efficiency.

• Accelerating product development.

• Improving worker safety.

• Cost savings.

According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), as of 2019, there were more than 390,000 industrial robots installed globally, with China, Japan, and the United States leading the way.

Swarm Robots

Swarm robots are robots that operate in groups, from a few robots to thousands of simple robots, under the control of a single controller.
Features:

• Emphasize teamwork with the ability to scale.
• Use wireless communication such as radio frequency or infrared.

Smart Robots

This is the most advanced type of robot, integrated with AI (artificial intelligence), helping them learn from the environment and improve performance over time.

Notable applications:

• Solving the problem of agricultural labor shortage.
• Managing food waste.
• Researching marine ecosystems.
• Controlling inventory and cleaning up after disasters.

Smart robots are increasingly becoming a powerful assistant for humans in many fields, helping to improve performance and solve global challenges.

5. Some famous robots in the world today

The remarkable development of robot technology is attracting strong attention around the world. The famous robot models below not only demonstrate the potential of artificial intelligence but also open up diverse applications, from life support to space exploration.

Ameca Robot

Ameca Robot, which made an impression at CES 2022, is one of the most advanced robots today with the ability to express emotions identical to humans. Equipped with 17 individual motors inside its head, Ameca controls vivid and emotional facial movements, giving a clear vision of humanoid robots in the future. This ability not only serves the service and entertainment sectors but also opens up many potential applications in human interaction.

Sophia Robot

Sophia Robot, developed by Hanson Robotics, is one of the most famous humanoid robots in the world. Launched in 2016, Sophia quickly attracted attention when she became the first robot to be granted citizenship in Saudi Arabia in 2017. Sophia has not only appeared on magazine covers but also represented the United Nations at many important events. Although considered an icon of AI, Sophia has still caused controversy when it is considered more of a marketing tool than a truly sentient robot.

Atlas Robot

Meanwhile, Boston Dynamics' Atlas Robot stands out with its superior mobility, completely different from Ameca and Sophia. Atlas can run, jump, tumble and overcome uneven obstacles, even assist construction workers by moving tools up scaffolding. These capabilities make Atlas a powerful tool in tasks that require high strength and flexibility. In addition, Boston Dynamics also developed Digidog, a four-legged dog robot that supports the New York police force in dangerous situations such as hostage rescue or mine detection.

Valkyrie Robot

In addition, NASA's Valkyrie Robot is designed to support rescue missions in natural disasters. With a height of 1.9m and a weight of more than 130kg, Valkyrie is equipped with the ability to drive, clean up waste, break down walls to rescue victims and perform other emergency tasks. In addition to its role in rescue, Valkyrie is also expected to support astronauts on their journey to explore Mars, although this is currently still in the testing phase.

The great advances in robotic technology are raising a big question about the future: can robots completely replace humans? Although there is still much controversy, it is undeniable that robots have been and are contributing to changing the world, bringing great values ​​in the fields of industry, services, medicine and space exploration.

Robots are gradually changing the world, from supporting in the fields of industry and services to solving major challenges such as natural disasters and space research. However, the question of whether robots can completely replace humans is still a controversial topic. What is undeniable is that the development of robots is making great strides, contributing to shaping the future of humanity.

6. Leading provider of industrial robot and automation solutions

Intech Group – Vietnam Engineering and Industry Group Joint Stock Company is one of the pioneers in the field of mechanics, automation and technology in Vietnam. With many years of experience, Intech Group specializes in providing comprehensive automation solutions, integrating robots and industrial machines on demand. These solutions effectively meet production needs in many industries such as:

• Electronics and semiconductor manufacturing
• Mechanical manufacturing
• Automotive and motorbike manufacturing
• F&B industry
• Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics

One of Intech Group's outstanding products is the AGV self-propelled robot line, designed to optimize production activities in businesses, especially in the high-quality thin film packaging industry.

Outstanding features of the Intech AGV autonomous robot line:

Modern guidance technology: Guidance by magnetic tape, optical tape or SLAM, depending on actual application requirements.

Flexible options: Customers can customize the battery type and charging mode to suit the operating process.

International quality standards: Intech Group's factory system complies with strict quality control processes, achieving prestigious certifications such as ISO 14001, ISO 22000, BRC, BSCI.

With a team of experienced engineers and advanced technology solutions, Intech Group not only helps businesses improve performance but also ensures superior product quality.

Contact Intech Group now for advice on automation solutions and industrial robots, helping your business achieve breakthroughs in production!