A robot is a special machine that can do jobs all by itself or with a little help from people. Robots follow instructions from a computer program that tells them what to do. Some robots look like people with arms and legs, but most robots do not look like people at all. You might have robots in your own home and not even know it!
Robots are great helpers. In factories, robot arms put cars together and move heavy boxes. In hospitals, some robots help doctors during surgery. Robots can even explore places that are too dangerous for people, like the bottom of the ocean or the surface of Mars. At home, some robots vacuum the floor or mow the lawn. The word “robot” comes from a Czech word that means “work,” and that is exactly what robots do best!
You might see robots more often than you think! Robot vacuums zoom around homes cleaning floors. At some restaurants, little robots bring food to your table. Self-checkout machines at the grocery store are a type of robot too. Scientists have even sent robot explorers called rovers to Mars to take pictures and study rocks. A rover named Perseverance is driving around Mars right now, making discoveries all on its own.
OtterKnow Kids Encyclopedia