1. Any mechanical device that can be programmed to perform a number of tasks involving manipulation and movement under automatic control: Because of its use in science fiction, the term robot suggests a machine which has a human-like appearance or that operates with human-like capacities.

There is no consensus regarding which machines qualify as robots; however, there is general agreement among certain people that robots tend to do some or all of the following: move around, operate a mechanical limb, sense and manipulate their environment, and exhibit intelligent behavior; especially, behavior which imitates humans or other animals.

In reality, modern industrial robots have very little physical or no resemblance to humans. It depends on which robot a person is referring to.

2. Etymology: from Czech robota, "work, forced labor, drudgery." © ALL rights are reserved.

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