Read the text below & make up a dialogue.

History of Robotics

(1) The concept of robots dates back to ancient times, when some myths told of mechanical beings brought to life. Such automata also appeared in the clockwork figures of medieval churches, and in the 18th century some clockmakers gained fame for the clever mechanical figures that they constructed. Today the term automaton is usually applied to these handcrafted, mechanical (rather than electromechanical) devices that imitate the motions of living creatures. Some of the (so-called) ‘robots’ used in advertising and entertainment are actually automata, even with the addition of remote radio control.

(2) The term robot itself is derived from the Czech word robota, meaning “compulsory labour”. It was first used by the Czech novelist and playwright Karel Chapek, to describe a mechanical device that looks like a human but, lacking human sensibility, can perform only automatic, mechanical operations. Robots as they are known today do not only imitate human or other living forms. True robots did not become possible, however, until the invention of the computer in the 1940s and the miniaturization of computer parts. One of the first true robots was an experimental model designed by researchers at the Stanford Research Institute in the late 1960s. It was capable of arranging blocks into stacks through the use of a television camera as a visual sensor, processing this information in a small computer.

(3) Computers today are equipped with microprocessors that can handle the data being fed to them by various sensors of the surrounding environment. Making use of the principle of feedback, robots can change their operations to some degree in response to changes in that environment. The commercial use of robots is spreading, with the increasing automation of factories, and they have become essential to many laboratory procedures. Japan is the most advanced nation exploring robot technology.

(4) Nowadays robots continue to expand their applications. The home-made robots available today may be one sign of the future. Industrial robots, originally designed only to perform simple tasks in environments dangerous to human workers, are now widely used to transfer, manipulate, and position both light and heavy workpieces performing all the functions of a transfer machine.

(5) In the 1920s the automobile industry for the first time used an integrated system of production by most car manufacturers and became known as Detroit automation. Robotization is called the Dawn of a New Era. What is a robot? Basically, it is a machine which is designed to do the work of a human being. It is usually controlled by a computer.

(6) Computer scientists and engineers in several countries are developing robots to replace people at dangerous locations or at simple jobs. Robots with arms and hands would be helpful at plants where there are toxic chemicals or va­pours or where there is danger of radiation.

(7) Fujitsu Fanuc Ltd, Japan, one of the world's produc­ers of computerized industrial equipment and robots, has designed robots making robots. It goes even further. It hopes to build a factory without any workers at all. At the same time Hitachi, the Japanese electronic com­pany, has mobilized «several hundred scientists and engi­neers to produce a new generation of robots. They will be able to see, feel and walk up and down factory floors to supervize other robots on automatic assembly lines. The company expect all -collar workers to disappear from the assembly lines. Factories will be manned only by cler­ical staff and a few maintenance technicians.

(8) The first industrial robots appeared in the Soviet Union more than several decades ago. In the late 60's, engineers believed that industrial robots were not economically or technically expedient. But after two or three years it be­came clear that these devices were an economic and social necessity.

(9) Today, Russian production has entered the "era of robotization". Russian designers are making robots which could replace man in all his tiresome and dangerous jobs. Robots perform both the major and auxiliary operations, freeing man from unskilled, monotonous labour.

(10) In connection with the growth of unemployment in the world, the advent and spread of "steel collars" (as opposed to "blue collars") has not been welcomed everywhere or by everybody. For the employers, robots are ideal workers: they do not go on strike, do not demand higher wages and better working conditions, and do not go for politics. In the meantime, unemployment in capitalist countries keeps on growing. People fear for their future, security, living standards, and jobs. As estimated by British econo­mists, the automation of production is likely to cut the number of jobs by 15 per cent in the near future.

(11) In the Russian Federation, however, the introduction of robots meets the existing requirements of growing industry. This is because of both the shortage of working hands in the country and eliminating manual labour. Robotization is sure to be an important reserve for raising labour produc­tivity. Our industry is beginning mass production of second generation robots - the so-called adaptive robots which have technical vision and can perform the most sophisticated jobs. It is planned to start the production of third genera­tion robots with elements of artificial intellect.

(12) The feedback principle is used in all automatic-control mechanisms when machines have ability to correct themselves. The feedback principle has been used for centuries. An outstanding early example is the flyball governor, invented in 1788 by James Watt to control the speed of the steam engine. The common household thermostat is another example of a feedback device. Using feedback devices, machines can start, stop, speed up, slowdown, count, inspect, test, compare, and measure. These operations are commonly applied to a wide variety of production operations.

(13) Computers have greatly facilitated the use of feedback in manufacturing processes. Computers gave rise to the development of numerically controlled machines. The motions of these machines are controlled by punched paper or magnetic tapes. In numerically controlled machining centres machine tools can perform several different machining operations.

(14) More recently, the introduction of microprocessors and computers has made possible the development of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacture (CAD & CAM) technologies. When using these systems a designer draws a part and indicates its dimensions with the help of a mouse, light pen, or other input device. After the drawing has been completed the computer automatically gives the instructions that direct a machining centre to machine the part.

(15) Another development using automation is the flexible manufacturing systems (FMS). A computer in FMS can be used to monitor and control the operation of the whole factory. Automation has also had an influence on the areas of the economy other than manufacturing. Small computers are used in systems called word processors, which are rapidly becoming a standard part of the modern office. They are used to edit texts, to type letters and so on.

(16) Many industries are highly automated or use automation technology in some part of their operation. In com­munications and especially in the telephone industry dialling and transmission are all done automatically. Railways are also controlled by automatic signalling devices, which have sensors that detect carriages passing a particular point. In this way the movement and location of trains can be monitored.

(17) Not all industries require the same degree of automation. Sales, agriculture, and some service industries are difficult to automate, though agriculture industry may become more mechanized, especially in the processing and packaging of foods. The automation technology in manufacturing and assembly is widely used in car and other consumer product industries. Nevertheless, each industry has its own concept of automation that answers its particular production needs.

NB light pen – a light-sensitive stylus wired to a video terminal used to draw pictures or select menu options. The user brings the pen to the desired point on screen and presses the pen button to make contact. Screen pixels are constantly being refreshed. When the user presses the button, allowing the pen to sense light, the pixel being illuminated at that instant identifies the screen location.

7.1 Join the split sentences.

The concept of robots dates back… Such automata also appeared… These handcrafted, mechanical devices…. Some of the ‘robots’ used in advertising and entertainment…

The term robot was first used… True robots did not become possible… in the late 1960s one of the first true robots was… Japan is …

• to describe a mechanical device that looks like a human but, lacking human sensibility, can perform only automatic, mechanical operations.

• until the inven­tion of the computer in the 1940s and the miniaturization of computer parts.

• was capable of arranging blocks into stacks through the use of a television camera as a visual sensor, processing this information in a small computer.

• the most advanced nation exploring robot technology.

• to ancient times.

• in the clockwork figures of medieval churches in the 18th century.

• that imitate the motions of living creatures

• are actually automata.