diff --git a/docs/modules/1_introduction/1_definition_of_robotics/definition_of_robotics_main.rst b/docs/modules/1_introduction/1_definition_of_robotics/definition_of_robotics_main.rst index f6fba646b4..63525057fe 100644 --- a/docs/modules/1_introduction/1_definition_of_robotics/definition_of_robotics_main.rst +++ b/docs/modules/1_introduction/1_definition_of_robotics/definition_of_robotics_main.rst @@ -1,14 +1,24 @@ 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 `Ismail Al-Jazari`_ created intricate mechanical devices, including water clocks and automated moving peacocks driven by hydropower. -- **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. +.. _`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) diff --git a/docs/modules/1_introduction/3_technology_for_robotics/technology_for_robotics_main.rst b/docs/modules/1_introduction/3_technology_for_robotics/technology_for_robotics_main.rst index 93dc9e3466..e460059e20 100644 --- a/docs/modules/1_introduction/3_technology_for_robotics/technology_for_robotics_main.rst +++ b/docs/modules/1_introduction/3_technology_for_robotics/technology_for_robotics_main.rst @@ -1,6 +1,9 @@ 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 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^