A computer-operated, mechanical body or vehicle that works on its own to do a variety of jobs. Robots can be programmed, and reprogrammed to move material, parts, tools, or specialized devices through various motions. Robots are not presently “artificial people,” but helpful tools used in specific environments. For the time being, most robots could be considered computers with limbs, organs, tools, and other pieces of equipment attached. However, experiments in artificial intelligence are changing the definition of a robot in many ways for the future. The word ‘robot’ was coined by the Czech playwright Karel Capek, from the Czech word for forced labor or serf.

A re-programmable, multifunctional manipulator designed to move material, parts, tools or specified devices through variable programmed motions for the performance of a variety of tasks. Common elements which make up a robot are: controller, manipulator and end-effector. See Manipulator, Controller and End-effector.