Humanoid robots are robots with an overall appearance imitating a human body, which allows them to work with made-for-human tools and environments. Normally, humanoid robots comprise of a head, torso, two arms and two legs.
A few humanoid robots also have faces, with eyes, nose and mouth features. Androids are a category of humanoid robots that are built to visually resemble human beings.
Like other robots, humanoid robots comprise of the basic features, such as planning, sensing, actuating and control. However, as they are autonomous and attempt to simulate the human structure and behavior, most of the times humanoid robots are more complex than other kinds of robots.
Humanoid robots can familiarize themselves with changes in their environment or themselves and carry on with their designated tasks. This is a key factor that differentiates humanoid robots from and other types of robots. Some of the capabilities of humanoid robots may include:
Self maintenance
Autonomous learning (competence to learn or gain new capabilities without any outside assistance and adjust strategies depending upon the environment) Avoiding unsafe situations to self, other people and property
Safely working with human beings and the environment
Various Models
There are two types to humanoid robot models. The first model constructs a robot as a collection of rigid links that are coupled with joints. This kind of robot structure is typical of industrial robots. The second type of model uses the knowledge of biomechanics. This model of the humanoid robot bears resemblance with a human skeleton.
Uses
Humanoid robots are frequently used as a research tool on human beings. They help you to comprehend the human body's biological and mental processes, ranging from the simple acts of walking to the concepts of consciousness and spirituality.
Besides research, several humanoid robots are designed to carry out human tasks like personal support where they assist the sick and elderly, and perform dangerous or filthy jobs. Regular jobs similar to that of a receptionist or a worker in an automotive manufacturing unit are also normally performed by humanoids. Basically, as they can make use of tools and operate equipment and vehicles intended for human beings, humanoids can execute any job a human being is capable of, as long as they are loaded with the proper software.
Humanoid robots are increasingly becoming utilized for providing entertainment also. A few humanoid robots have been developed that can sing, dance and speak to audiences. Several theme park shows employ animatrons, which are robots that appear, move and talk much like human beings. These animatrons appear so real that they are very difficult to distinguish from human beings from a distance.
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