Robots (practical part)

N1 Read these definitions and complete the extracts with the appropriate words:
Androids are anthropomorphic robots designed to look and behave like a human being. Most android can walk,
talk and understand human speech. Some react to gestures and voice inflection. Some ‘learn’ from the
environment: they store information and adapt their behavior according to a previous experience.
Expert systems is the term given to computer software that mimics human reasoning, by using a set of rules to
analyze data and reach conclusions. Some of them help doctors diagnose illnesses based of symptoms.
Neural networks are a new concept in computer programming, designed to replicate the human ability to
handle ambiguity by learning from trial and error. They use silicon neurons to imitate the functions of brain
cells and usually involve a great number of processors working at the same time.
The term (1) …………….. Is defined as the automation of intelligent behavior, but can (2) …. really be intelligent?
(3) ……..are made of units that resemble neurons. They are often used to simulate brain activity and are
effective at predicting events. (4)………..…. , also known as knowledge-based systems, mirror the structure of
an expert’s thought.

N2 Watch the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o0FZalxIYw and describe the robots from the video:
- Which robot do you like more and why?
- Do you think these robots can be dangerous?
- Can we say that they are cute?
- Would you like to have similar robots?

N3 Insert the appropriate words from the text:
Robots and automata
A robot is a computer-programmed machine, that performs actions, manipulates objects in a precise and, in many cases, repetitive way.
Robots can be automata, or man-like machines, whose components are similar to a human body.
They have mechanical links, joints, which connect their movable parts.
Their heart and muscles are the electric or pneumatic motors or systems, the actuators, which create the movement.
Robots also have hands, usually tools or grippers, called end effectors.
They can be equipped with camera or infrared control, sensors, which transmit information to the central system in order to locate objects or adjust movements.
Finally, robots depend on a computer system, the brain that directs the actions.
Scientists are working on a machine which they hope will recognize objects with cameras that will work as
(1)……………….., and retrieve objects with an arm that will be its (2)…………… . Although the arm
will have (3) ……….. that will link its muscles and an electric motor that will be the (4) …………., this new
(5) …………... won’t move like a human, i.e.it won’t be like the (6) ….…..… of science-fiction films: forget
“Star wars”. It will be desk based: no walking, or climbing stairs. The team hopes to discover how
the brain perform ‘multi-tasking’ and to use that information to develop the (7) ………..……...
to create a robot that can think for itself.
N4 Make a list of other uses of robots at home and at work.

N5 Answer Artificial Intelligence questions:
1. Nils Nilsson headed a team at SRI that created a mobile robot named:
a) Robotics b) Dedalus c) Shakey d) Vax
2. An Artificial Intelligence technique that allows computers to understand associations and relationships between objects and events is called:
a) heuristic processing b) cognitive science c) relative symbolism d) pattern matching
3. The new organization established to implement the Fifth Generation Project is called:
a)ICOT (Institute for New Generation Computer Technology)
b)MITI (Ministry of International Trade and Industry)
c)MCC (Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation)
d)SCP (Strategic Computing Program)
4. The field that investigates the mechanics of human intelligence is:
a) history b) cognitive science c) psychology d) sociology
5. What is the name of the computer program that simulates the thought processes of human beings?
a) Human logic b) Expert reason c) Expert system d) Personal information
6. What is the name of the computer program that contains the distilled knowledge of an expert?
a) Database management system b) Management information System
c) Expert system d) Artificial intelligence