When we look at how things have changed in the last few decades, the most dramatic changes have been within the area of computing and robotics. Less than 30 years ago, robots were considered science fiction, and few then considered the robots of the future to be mere playthings. Nowadays, robots are common and often seen in toy stores as well as in the production plants of our manufacturing industries, and in the following article I analyze some of the interesting aspects of the area of robotics development in The 21st century.
Thinking back to the dawn of computer gaming, I can’t help but feel that some of the wonder I experienced in arcades when the game Space Invaders first appeared (followed closely by Galaxians and the like) is missing from the lives of gamers. children of today. I was thrilled when Space Invaders and Asteroids became available in the home on the amazing Atari gaming systems, a huge leap from Pong gaming! Gaming at home today involves nearly photo-realistic graphics in resolutions approaching the realms of 2k and 4k, while 3D gaming is possible right now. What else is there to build excitement in kids (and big kids)?
Surprisingly, the raw elements of “children’s toys” remain the same as they were decades ago. Meccano was one of the most popular toys of the moment during my childhood. Train sets and car races were also incredibly popular and today these toys of the past now incorporate aspects of computing and robotics that you could only dream of as a child, even Lego has updated with its wonderful Mindstorms range. In fact, the hobby of robotics itself is a massive industry with little robotic pets available to the young and amazing futuristic robots available to robotics enthusiasts with deep pockets.
In classic movies, like Westworld, we saw robots virtually indistinguishable from humans. Geminoid HI-1 was one of the first robots I saw that took on a human appearance and Geminoid-F recently appeared, which is terrifyingly realistic. This female robot features a realistic facial expression and is intended (by the designer) to be useful in hospitals, however at $110,000 each, I doubt there will be many showing up in a hospital near me too soon!
Since many of the industrial applications of robotics are becoming commonplace, the cost of robotics is starting to come down. With the miniaturization of components such as servos, small robots whose capabilities are more astounding are now possible. While many kids are happy with their game consoles, more and more are turning to robotics as a hobby. Unfortunately, the hobby is still quite expensive, but some small projects are surprisingly affordable. Companies like Lynxmotion offer a wide range of robots and components. Lego offers a very affordable solution and with powerful home computers also available cheaply, it’s possible to get started in robotics for less than you’d pay for a few games for a console!
While many parents look with horror at the costs of nurturing a child’s interest in robotics, others see the outlay as an investment in their child’s future. Computers and robotics are now so common that generating early interest in the subject is not a bad thing. Virtually all schools now have computer banks, and everyday objects like mobile phones incorporate highly sophisticated technologies. Introducing your child to the fascinating world of robotics will allow them to acquire the basic knowledge necessary for a future in this exciting area of the industry. Having a basic understanding of components such as servo motors and drives can be helpful for a general understanding of a complex topic. After all, the tiny servos used in small robots are really just miniature versions of the much larger industrial servos seen on factory floors.
Components like servos are relatively easy to find on the internet, but it is always better to buy such products from a known specialist. Often these providers offer support that regular toy stores and the like simply cannot.