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docs/modules/1_introduction/1_definition_of_robotics/definition_of_robotics_main.rst
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Definition of Robotics
----------------------
This section explains the definition, history, key components, and applications of robotics.
What is Robotics?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Robot is a machine that can perform tasks automatically or semi-autonomously.
Robotics is the study of robots.
The field of robotics has wide areas of technologies such as mechanical engineering,
electrical engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence (AI),
to create machines that can perform tasks autonomously or semi-autonomously.
The word “robot” comes from the Czech word “robota,” which means “forced labor” or “drudgery.”
It was first used in the 1920 science fiction play `R.U.R.`_ (Rossum’s Universal Robots)
by the Czech writer `Karel Čapek`_.
In the play, robots were artificial workers created to serve humans, but they eventually rebelled.
Over time, “robot” came to refer to machines or automated systems that can perform tasks,
often with some level of intelligence or autonomy.
.. _`R.U.R.`: https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/origin-word-robot-rur/
.. _`Karel Čapek`: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karel_%C4%8Capek
The History of Robots
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
@@ -18,22 +28,30 @@ This timeline highlights key milestones in the history of robotics:
Ancient and Early Concepts (Before 1500s)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The idea of **automated machines** has existed for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations imagined mechanical beings:
The idea of **automated machines** has existed for thousands of years.
Ancient civilizations imagined mechanical beings:
- **Ancient Greece (4th Century BC)** – Greek engineer **Hero of Alexandria** designed early **automata** (self-operating machines) powered by water or air.
- **Chinese and Arabic Automata (9th–13th Century)** – Inventors like **Al-Jazari** created intricate mechanical devices, including water clocks and humanoid robots.
- **Ancient Greece (4th Century BC)** – Greek engineer `Hero of Alexandria`_ designed early **automata** (self-operating machines) powered by water or air.
- **Chinese and Arabic Automata (9th–13th Century)** – Inventors like `Ismail Al-Jazari`_ created intricate mechanical devices, including water clocks and automated moving peacocks driven by hydropower.
.. _`Hero of Alexandria`: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_of_Alexandria
.. _`Ismail Al-Jazari`: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ismail_al-Jazari
The Birth of Modern Robotics (1500s–1800s)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- **Leonardo da Vinci’s Robot (1495)** – Designed a humanoid knight with mechanical movement.
- **Jacques de Vaucanson’s Automata (1738)** – Created robotic figures like a mechanical duck that could "eat" and "digest."
- **Industrial Revolution (18th–19th Century)** – Machines began replacing human labor in factories, setting the foundation for automation.
- `Leonardo da Vinci’s Robot`_ (1495) – Designed a humanoid knight with mechanical movement.
- `Jacques de Vaucanson’s Digesting Duck`_ (1738) – Created robotic figures like a mechanical duck that could "eat" and "digest."
- `Industrial Revolution`_ (18th–19th Century) – Machines began replacing human labor in factories, setting the foundation for automation.
.. _`Leonardo da Vinci’s Robot`: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo%27s_robot
.. _`Jacques de Vaucanson’s Digesting Duck`: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_de_Vaucanson
.. _`Industrial Revolution`: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_Revolution
The Rise of Industrial Robots (1900s–1950s)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- **The Term “Robot” (1921)** – Czech writer **Karel Čapek** introduced the word *“robot”* in his play *R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots)*.
- **The Term “Robot” (1921)** – Czech writer `Karel Čapek`_ introduced the word *“robot”* in his play `R.U.R.`_ (Rossum’s Universal Robots).
- **Early Cybernetics (1940s–1950s)** – Scientists like **Norbert Wiener** developed theories of self-regulating machines, influencing modern robotics.
The Birth of Modern Robotics (1950s–1980s)

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docs/modules/1_introduction/3_technology_for_robotics/technology_for_robotics_main.rst
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Technology for Robotics
-------------------------
The field of robotics needs wide areas of technologies such as mechanical engineering,
electrical engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Autonomous Navigation
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^