Learning material for MOT Class.

WHAT IS A ROBOT?

A robot is the product of the robotics field, where programmable machines are built (1) which
can assist humans or mimic human actions. Robots were originally built to handle monotonous
tasks (like building cars on an assembly line), but have since expanded well beyond (2) their
initial uses to perform tasks like fighting fires, cleaning homes and assisting with incredibly
intricate surgeries. Each robot has a differing level of autonomy, ranging from human-controlled
bots (3) which carry out tasks (4) that a human has full control over to fully-autonomous bots
(5) that perform tasks without any external influences.

Robots all consist of some sort of mechanical construction. The mechanical aspect of a robot
helps it complete tasks in the environment for which (6) it is designed. For example, the Mars
2020 Rover’s wheels are individually motorized and made of titanium tubing that help it firmly
grip the harsh terrain of the red planet.

Robots need electrical components (7) that control and power the machinery. Essentially, an
electric current (a battery, for example) is needed to power a large majority of robots.

Robots contain at least some level of computer programming. Without a set of code telling it
what to do, a robot would just be another piece of simple machinery. Inserting a program into a
robot gives it the ability to know when and how to carry out a task.

1. Assist F a. take and keep a firm hold of; grasp tightly.

2. Originally J b. very complicated or detailed.
3. Monotonous E c. talent, skill, or proficiency in a particular area
4. Intricate B d. to perform a task
5. surgery I e. dull, tedious, and repetitious; lacking in variety and interest.
6. carry out D f. To help (someone), typically by doing a share of the work
7. mechanical G g. working or produced by machines or machinery.
8. grip A h. operating by or producing electricity.
9. electrical H i. the branch of medical practice that treats injuries, diseases,
10. ability C and deformities by the physical removal, repair, or
readjustment of organs and tissues, often involving cutting
into the body
j. in the beginning : in the first place

The following statements are advantages and disadvantages of using Robot. Can you
classify which ones are the advantages or the disadvantages?

a. In many situations robots can increase productivity, efficiency, quality and consistency of
products
b. Until they wear out, they can do the same thing again and again
c. Robots can only do what they are told to do – they can’t improvise
 d. Although robots can be superior to humans in some ways, they are less dexterous than
humans; they don’t have such powerful brains, and cannot compete with a human’s
ability to understand what they can see.
e. They can be very accurate – to fractions of an inch (as is needed for example in
manufacturing of microelectronics)
f. Robots don’t have the same environmental requirements that humans do – such as
lighting, air conditioning or noise protection
g. The use of robots can create economic problems if they replace human jobs
h. Robots can work in environments which are unsafe for humans – in the nuclear or
chemical industries for example
i. Often robots are very costly – in terms of the initial cost, maintenance, the need for extra
components and the need to be programmed to do the task.
j. Unlike humans, robots do not get bored

Advantages: A, B, J, E, F, H,

Disadvantages: C, D, G, I

Language Focus (Relative Pronoun) (Who/whom (human), which (thing/animal), that (all),
why (reason), where (place), when (time))

Look at the paragraph about robot. What do the words in bold type refer to?

1. Which = programmable machines / robot

2. Their = robot
3. Which = robot
4. That = robot
5. That = robot
6. It = robot
7. That = electrical components

Whom (object connectors) = dipakai apabila kata setelahnya adalah subject + verb

Who = diikuti verb