• Adventure
  • Auto
  • Culture
  • Entertainment
  • Home & Garden
  • Money
  • Science
  • Tech
  • Video
  • Shows
  • Blogs
  • Quizzes
  • Games
  • Random Article
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Science
  • Forces of Nature
  • Innovation
  • Military
  • Physical Science
  • Science Dictionary
  • Science Versus Myth
  • Space
  • Transportation
  • Home > 
  • Science > 
  • Engineering > 
  • Robotics

by Tom Harris

Print
Cite This!
Close 
Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks article:

Harris, Tom.  "How Robots Work"  16 April 2002.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/robot.htm>  11 February 2012.
Cite
Feedback

Stuff You Should Know

Josh &amp; Chuck explore zombies, mirror neurons and more »
Josh & Chuck explore zombies, mirror neurons and more »
Inside this Article
  1. Introduction to How Robots Work
  2. Robot Basics
  3. The Robotic Arm
  1. Mobile Robots
  2. Autonomous Robots
  3. Homebrew Robots
  4. See more »
    1. Robots and Artificial Intelligence
    2. Lots More Information
    3. See all Robotics articles

Lots More Information

Related HowStuffWorks Articles

  • How FIRST Works
  • How Robotic Vacuums Work
  • How Segways Work
  • How Stinger Missiles Work
  • How Rumble Robots Work
  • How Robonauts Will Work
  • How Snakebots Will Work

More Great Links

  • The Robotics Institute
  • International Federation of Robotics
  • RoboCup
  • M.I.T's Artificial Intelligence Lab
  • GoRobotics.net
VIDEO: Check out videos of amazing robots. >>
Previous Page

All Things Science

10 Incredible Wind Power Facts
10 Incredible Wind Power Facts
10 Remarkable Exoplanets
10 Remarkable Exoplanets
Fact or Fiction: Earthquake Quiz
Fact or Fiction: Earthquake Quiz
Top 10 Things That Women Invented
Top 10 Things That Women Invented
Get in Touch With the Dark Arts
Get in Touch With the Dark Arts
Watch 100 Greatest Discoveries videos »

You Might Also Like

How Geodesic Domes Work

If you think regular old domes took the world of structural engineering by storm, you should meet their geodesic cousins. What is a geodesic dome, and who first came up with the idea of building triangle-covered spheres as practical structures?

Why isn't the U.S. on the metric system?

You may think of the U.S., Liberia and Myanmar as the sad-sack metric losers. The truth, however, is a little more complicated -- sort of like remembering how to switch between pounds and kilograms.

Popular Articles

  • How do fans make you feel cooler?
  • How Robot Armies Will Work
  • 10 Reasons Why Bridges Collapse
Inside this Article
  1. Introduction to How Robots Work
  2. Robot Basics
  3. The Robotic Arm
  4. Mobile Robots
  5. Autonomous Robots
  1. Homebrew Robots
  2. Robots and Artificial Intelligence
  3. Lots More Information
  4. See all Robotics articles
Previous Page

Video Favorites

FPO
  • Robot Videos
  • Extreme Engineering Videos
  • 10 Ways The World Will End Videos
  • Space Station Videos

New HSW Games

FPO
  • Storm Tracker
  • Speed Match
  • Crab Fishing Game
  • Volcano Explorer
  • Lost in Migration
  • Word Bubbles

Related Content

Prices: Robotic Toys

  • Robo-Pong 2050 Table Tennis Robot
    Robo-Pong 2050 Table Tennis Robot

    Wow! This is one smart robot. Revolutionary digital controls mean easy exact regulation of ball speed amount of spin wait time and landing spot with randomization to make robot more unpredictable and more similar to actual play. Normal Mode gives you simple manual control over each function. In Drill Mode run any of the 64 drills stored on the controller. Easily adjust robot for even complex functions with simple to understand cell phone like menu system. Use PC Mode to create and save drills using a simple interface then run those drills direct from your PC. Send and receive drill files via internet with students friends and others. Setup Mode lets you calibrate motors to a set standard and select your desired language for operation. Universal power supply works worldwide with inexpensive plug adaptors. Intelligent design allows selection of favored hand so drills run correctly for either right-handers or left-handers. Stop delivery of balls manually by time or by count--your choice! Precisely place ball with 21 oscillation positions and 30 speed settings. Go as fast or slow as you want--from 1 to more than 170 balls per minute. Adjust wait time in .05 second increments. Minimal assembly required. Made by Newgy Industries. Includes the following

    $599.95

HOWSTUFFWORKS
  • Adventure
  • Auto
  • Culture
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Home & Garden
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Science
  • Tech
MORE STUFF
  • Blogs
  • Games
  • HSW Tools
  • RSS
  • Maps
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Newsletters
  • Video
OUR WEBSITES
  • Animal Planet
  • Consumer Guide Auto
  • Consumer Guide Products
  • Discovery Channel
  • Discovery Fit & Health
  • HSW Brazil
  • HSW China HowStuffWorks China
  • Investigation Discovery
  • Oprah Winfrey Network
  • Planet Green
  • Science Channel
  • TLC
  • Discovery Education
  • Store
CUSTOMER SERVICE
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Help
CORPORATE
  • About Us
  • Careers @ Discovery
  • Privacy Policy
  • Visitor Agreement
TAKE US WITH YOU
FOLLOW US
© 1998-2012 HowStuffWorks, Inc