Robotics: A Very Short Introduction

Alan Winfield

ISBN 10: 0199695989 / ISBN 13: 9780199695980

Published by Oxford University Press, 2012

About this Item

2012. 1st Edition. Paperback. Robotics is a key technology in the modern world. Yet, despite these successes, robots have failed to live up to the predictions of the 1950s and 60s. In this Very Short Introduction, Alan Winfield considers how robotics can be both a success story and a disappointment, and how robots can be both ordinary and quite remarkable. Series: Very Short Introductions. Num Pages: 168 pages, Approx 18 black and white illustrations. BIC Classification: PDZ; TJFM1. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational; (U) Tertiary Education (US: College). Dimension: 175 x 113 x 9. Weight in Grams: 132. . . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland.

Seller Inventory # V9780199695980

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Robotics: A Very Short Introduction
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication Date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0199695989
• ISBN 13: 9780199695980
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Robotics is a key technology in the modern world. Robots are a well-established part of manufacturing and warehouse automation, assembling cars or washing machines, and, for example, moving goods to and from storage racks for Internet mail order. More recently robots have taken their first steps into homes and hospitals, and seen spectacular success in planetary exploration. Yet, despite these successes, robots have failed to live up to the predictions of the 1950s and 60s, when it was widely thought - by scientists and engineers as well as the public - that by turn of the 21st century we would have intelligent robots as butlers, companions, or co-workers.

This Very Short Introduction explains how it is that robotics can be both a success story and a disappointment, how robots can be both ordinary and remarkable, and looks at their important developments in science and their applications to everyday life.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

About the Author

Alan Winfield is Professor of Electronic Engineering and Director of the Science Communication Unit at the University of the West of England, Bristol. He conducts research in swarm robotics in the Bristol Robotics Laboratory and is especially interested in robots as working models of life, evolution, intelligence, and culture. Alan is passionate about communicating science and technology. He holds an EPSRC Senior Media Fellowship with the theme Intelligent Robots in Science and Society, and blogs about robots, open science and related topics at http://alanwinfield.blogspot.com/