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High cost: Building and maintaining robots can be expensive, especially for complex tasks or
advanced or industrial-grade models.
Vulnerability to malfunctions: Robots can break down due to mechanical failures, software
bugs or sensor malfunctions, which can disrupt their ability to perform tasks.
Job displacement: Robots can replace human workers in various industries, which may lead
to job loss and create economic challenges.
Ethical concerns: The increasing complexity of robots raises questions about their role in
society, privacy issues and the ethics of robots making decisions that impact human lives.
GENERATIONS OF ROBOTS
Robots have evolved through several generations, each marked by key technological
advancements. Below are the different generations along with the approximate years when
they emerged:
1. First Generation - Mechanical Robots (1950s - 1960s):
These robots were simple mechanical devices designed to
perform repetitive tasks, often in manufacturing. They were
manually operated and controlled and had very limited
flexibility. The most notable example is the Unimate, the
first industrial robot, which introduced at General Motors in
1961 to handle die-casting and welding operations.
2. Second Generation - Programmable Robots (1970s - 1980s):
Robots of this generation could be programmed to perform
specific tasks, offering more flexibility than the first
generation. They were used in industries like automotive
manufacturing for more complex tasks, like welding and
painting. However, these robots still required human input
for programming and operation.
3. Third Generation - Autonomous Robots (1990s - 2000s): Robots began
to operate with greater autonomy, using sensors and basic AI to make
decisions based on their environment. These robots could perform tasks
like inspection, material handling and packaging without human control.
The ASIMO robot, introduced by Honda in 2000, was one example of a
robot with basic autonomous capabilities such as walking, climbing stairs
and interacting with humans through voice and gesture recognition.
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