Based on the two articles you have read, answer the following question: What is a job or a task that a robot could do to make humans’ jobs or lives easier?
Question: Based on the two articles you have read, answer the following question: What is a job or a task that a robot could do to make humans’ jobs or lives easier? The Two Articles:
Robots Long Ago
by Jim Gillebrand
1 When we think of robots, we often think of science fiction. After all, robots are
a form of advanced technology and are sometimes the topic for stories. But for
centuries, people have dreamed of robotic technology that would make life easier for humans. Robots can take many forms, but they all have one thing in common. Every robot is a device that can carry out a complex series of actions automatically.
2 Around the year 270 BCE, a Greek scientist named Ctesibius dreamed of
creating objects that would help people complete certain tasks. He created a
musical instrument that is like a modern-day pipe organ. He also invented a clock that used mechanical technology to keep track of time. These inventions helped people accomplish tasks, but they also inspired physicists and scientists in the years that followed to dream big in order to develop new ideas for robot inventions. In 1495, Leonardo da Vinci designed a robot that looked like a person. In the drawings, the robot looks like a knight in armor, and it could even move its arms and legs! In 1898, Nikola Tesla invented a way to drive a boat using a remote control. People were thrilled and amazed with this invention. The future was wide open for new robotic creations.
3 Years after these inventions, the term “robot” was coined. In 1921, a
European writer used the word in one of his plays. In 1941, an American author
named Isaac Asimov wrote about “robotic technology” in his science-fiction
writings. These may have been fictional accounts, but scientists took notice. In
1956, the first real robot company began operation, and in 1961, robots began
working in automobile factories, assisting their human co-workers in assembling
cars. Soon inventors were creating robotic arms that functioned like human limbs. These arms were used in factories as well, assembling large and small items without ever becoming tired.
4 Today, robots help people with everything from surgery to space exploration.
Robots have opened up possibilities that few probably dreamed possible.
Robot Farmers
by Veronica Appleton
1 It is a sunny autumn morning, and the lettuce field beckons the farmer. The full-size lettuce heads are on the brink of maturing, and in order to yield the freshest crop, the farmer must move quickly. But the field is enormous, and help is scarce. To make the greatest profit, the farmer hires the fewest workers. If they cannot complete the task, though, the crop will go to waste.
2 With a decreasing workforce, many farmers are faced with the problem of how to harvest quickly and effectively with the smallest staff. But there may be a solution that involves harvesting without the assistance of humans. Enter the LettuceBot.
3 In Sunnyvale, California, a company called Blue River Technology is promoting a line of agricultural robots that could simplify the lives of farmers while making their harvest more profitable. The LettuceBot is programmed to analyze fields of lettuce at all stages of development. During the growing season, the robots roam the fields locating weeds and less healthy lettuce heads for quick removal. They analyze the soil for proper nutrients and moisture, alerting the farmer to where attention is needed.
4 The potential for robot farmers is not limited to work on the ground. Unmanned aircraft called drones can be used to fly over and analyze crops. They can detect which crops are healthy and thriving and which need additional attention. Some drones are even equipped to apply necessary fertilizers and pesticides.
5 Back on the ground, farmers can use robots to manage their animals, as well. Robots are being used to milk cows, and the process is beneficial to both the farmer and the animals. Robots are also being used to herd and manage animals such as sheep. The robot acts as a shepherd, guiding the group and keeping them from danger.
6 If you think that all robots are large and bulky, think again. Tiny flying robots the size of insects are being created to mimic bees. These little bee ’bots can pollinate plants in areas where the bee population has decreased or vanished.
7 Robots are precise and efficient and can complement the work of humans in many ways. There seems to be no end to their use on the farm. (I need an essay as an example for my students.)
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