Robots and robot toys are exciting gift choice for kids. And for grownups too...
The robot toys are very popular this year following "The Transformers" movie release and the awards it won, including the MTV Movie Award ("Best Summer Movie You Haven't Seen Yet").
But what is a robot? A robot is a mechanical or virtual, artificial agent.
It is usually an electromechanical system, which, by its appearance or movements, conveys a sense that it has intent or agency of its own. The word robot can refer to both physical robots and virtual software agents, but the latter are usually referred to as bots to differentiate.
While there is still discussion about which machines qualify as robots, a typical robot will have several, though not necessarily all of the following properties:
- Is not 'natural' i.e. has been artificially created.
- Can sense its environment.
- Can manipulate or interact with things in its environment.
- Has some degree of intelligence, or ability to make choices based on the environment, or automatic control / preprogrammed sequence.
- Is programmable.
- Can move with one or more axes of rotation or translation.
- Can make dexterous coordinated movements.
- Appears to have intent or agency (reification, anthropomorphisation or Pathetic fallacy.
For more information about robots and robotics visit the Wikimedia Commons "Robots" project page and the the Wikiversity "Anthropomorphic Robotics" project page.
Photo credit: Amazon.com
The origin of word "robot"
It is fascinating that the word robot was introduced by Czech writer Karel Capek in his play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots) premiered in 1920. However, Capek named his brother Josef Capek, a painter and a writer, as the true inventor of the word. The word is derived from the noun robota, meaning "forced labour, corvée, drudgery" in the Czech language and being the general root for work in other Slavic languages. Very interesting, isn't it?
Source: the Wikipedia article about Robot.
Classic books about robots - from true masters - at Amazon.com
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byWorld's Most Famous Robot

Probably the world's most popular robot - or at least best known one - is the famous robot R2-D2 that was built by Tony Dyson for the Star Wars movie .
Photo credit: HamillianActor from flickr.com
What is your favorite robot?
Hasbro Transformers Ultimate Bumblebee Figure
This fall, Earthâs first line of defense against more...3 points
WowWee Robosapien Version 2 Humanoid Robot
Amaze your friends with this highly evolved fusion more...2 points
Star Wars: The Saga Collection > Interactive Electronic R2-D2 Astromech Droid
Standing nearly 15-inches tall, this easy-to-contr more...2 points
Tomy I-SOBOT Robot
Super-smooth movement in one cool robot! i-SOBOT h more...2 points
Tekno the Robotic Pony
Tekno Pony walks, whinnies and dances around - jus more...2 points
Revell Vexplorer Robotics System
Science and technology combine in this robotic rev more...2 points
Hitec 77003 Robonova I Humanoid Robot Kit
Hitec Robotics is proud to announce ROBONOVA-I. Th more...1 point
Tekno the Robotic Puppy - Dalmatian
Everyone's favorite robotic pet is back, and bette more...1 point
Wowwee Roboquad Interactive Robot (WW261)
Roboquad is an entertaining robotic pet. An amalga more...0 points
Robots on Amazon.com
The best place to shop for robots is - as usual - Amazon.com. To start, let's just look at some of the most popular robots and then we'll look at more specific categories, like robot pets or robosapiens (humanoid robots), etc.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byRobotics for Kids - A Listmania! list by Gigi R. from Amazon.com
Here is a list of robot and robotics items available at Amazon.com - created by Gigi R.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byRobosapiens at Amazon.com
Robosapien Version 2 is the next generation of Robosapien technology and personality from Wowwee. This new member of the robotic family comes with more advanced dynamic motion, interactive sensors, new program functions, speech capability, and a personality all his own. This 24" tall second generation Robosapien is now capable of autonomous behavior with sight, sound and touch senses. He has humanoid body movements including, bending, sitting, standing, lying down and getting up, waving and martial arts. It responds verbally to environmental stimuli and to controller commands. Color vision system: recognizes colors and skin tones; interacts with objects and people. IR Vision: detects and avoids obstacles and table edges. Tracks moving objects. True bi-pedal walking with multiple gaits. Precision gripping with articulated fingers.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byElectronic pets (robot pets) - at Amazon.com
The robot pets can walk, sit, jump, get up if they fall over, and so much more! They feature multiple functions with an easy-to-use remote control, multiple vision systems with color recognition, and fully automated demo modes. They can also express moods through light-up eyes and body language.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byMost popular robot toys at Amazon.com: Action Figures
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byRC (Remote Controlled) Figures and Robots - at Amazon.com
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byRobots for grownups - at Amazon.com
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byNikko America Erector - spy robot perfect for audio/visual surveillance
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byRobots.net - robot news and robotics info
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byInteresting websites about robots

- Communist Robot - list of known robots
- NASA - The Robotics Alliance Project
- Robot World News - the chronicles of humans designing machines with human abilities
- FIRST Robotics Competition - a high school robotics competition
Photo: Amazon.com
New YouTube videos - fighting robots, walking robots, ASIMO Honda Robot and more
Talking Robots - The Podcast on Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byAre you afraid of robots?
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cheryl20772 wrote...
Great niche! Looks like you are a real robot affictionado.
VegeSoup wrote...
Excellent lens. 5-star for you.
Warmest Regards,
7-Day Cabbage Soup Diet
koolmom wrote...
Very interesting. I never knew there were so many different types of small robots.
Margaret_Schaut wrote...
Featuring on Got Something to Sell? Group page. Well done!
by BlumPorto
Hi, My name is Blum Porto. I like robots very much. I hope they won't overtake the world, though... Thanks for visiting my lens.
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