Recent years have seen the emergence of biologically inspired robots. The research of biologically inspired engineering can be traced back to few centuries ago. Take the example of flying machines for that matter that are inspired from flying birds. The field of robotics has been revolutionized since then. Humanoid robots that are similar to humans in appearance and actions, robotic snakes, insects, and so on, have been developed in the last few decades. Biologically inspired robotics is no longer restricted to research work in laboratories; novel applications of the robotics technology are also being extensively explored in several areas. So, what’s the difference between biorobotics and robotics?

What is Biorobotics?

Biorobotics means biologically inspired robotics. It is an interdisciplinary science which collaborates the fields of cybernetics, biomedical engineering, and robotics to create new technologies. Biorobotics is a technological mix of robotics and biology that involves two technical areas. The first technical area focuses on applying biological ideas and phenomena to engineering problems in robotics. The second technical area is concerned with applying robotics technology to understand biological systems and their behaviors.

The field of biorobotics is not new; the research of biologically inspired engineering can be traced back to a few centuries ago. One popular example is the development of flying machines that are inspired by flying birds. The earliest work on biorobotics is probably the humanoid robots developed by Professor Ichiro Kato and his colleagues in the early 1970s. Since then, biorobotics has been one of the hottest topics in the robotics arena and many significant achievements have been made in the field. 

What is Robotics?

Robotics is an interdisciplinary field of computer science, engineering, and technology that focuses on the design, construction, and use of machines called robots to perform tasks done traditionally done by humans. Robotics is a branch of engineering that deals with the development of machines that can replace humans and replicate human actions and behaviors. Robots can take any form that is artificial organisms that convey lifelike appearance by physical actions and perform tasks autonomously, or with human guidance. 

The term ‘robotics’ is derived from an old Church Slavonic term ‘robota’, which means “forced labor” or “servitude” or “hard work” in modern Czech language. Since its humble beginnings, robotics has drawn inspiration and guidance from biomechanics and general studies of living organisms. The term is often used in artificial intelligence that is concerned with the study of creating intelligent and efficient robots. Robots can perform tasks on behalf of humans either autonomously or semi-autonomously. The aim of robotics is to design efficient robots. 

Difference between Biorobotics and Robotics

Field

 – Biorobotics is often used to refer to a real subfield of robotics that includes analysis and making of biologically-inspired robots with enhanced capabilities over traditional robots. It is an multidisciplinary science that integrate the fields of cybernetics, biomedical engineering,  and robotics to engineer new technologies. Robotics is an interdisciplinary field of computer science, engineering, and technology that focuses on the design, construction, and use of robots. The term robotics is derived from an old Church Slavonic term ‘robota’, which means “forced labor” or “servitude.”

Goal

 – Robotics is a technology with a future. The idea is to study the different disciplines in engineering which constitute the technology of robots. The aim of robotics is to design and develop machines that mimic human behavior and actions, and that can help and assist humans in a variety of ways. The goal of biorobotics is to use biological characteristics in living organisms as the knowledge base for designing robots that match the agility of animals. The idea is to build biologically-inspired robots with enhanced capabilities over traditional robots.

Applications

 – In manufacturing industries, robotics is generally used in for loading and unloading machines for automated assembly, painting, welding, sheet metal manufacturing, laser cutting, machine tending, and so on, and these are called industrial robots. However, it is the brain of computer that gives the robot its utility and adaptability. Today, robots are found in applications beyond manufacturing. Biorobotics focuses on the role of robots as tools for biologists studying animal behavior. Applications of biorobotics extend beyond medical research and include industrial inspection, search and rescue, nuclear inspection, painting and coating, archaeology, etc.

Biorobotics vs. Robotics: Comparison Chart

Summary

Biorobotics simply means biologically inspired robotics, which is an interdisciplinary field of robotics and biology focused on two broad areas: biomimetics and biorobotic modeling/analysis. Biomimetics is focused on application ideas and phenomena to engineering problems in robotics. Biorobotic modeling/analysis is the application of robotic models and principles to address biological issues, such as mimicking human brain and behavior of animals and insects. Robotics is the intersection of science, engineering and technology that creates robots to perform tasks done traditionally by humans.

Does biotechnology include robotics?

Robotics is a multi-disciplinary field that is concerned with the design, construction and use of robots that can be programmed to perform tasks traditionally by humans. Biotechnology is the use of living organisms to produce healthcare related products. Biotechnology can take the field of robotics to new heights.

What is the use of Biorobotics?

Use of biorobotics extend beyond medical research and include industrial inspection, search and rescue, nuclear inspection, painting and coating, archaeology, etc.

What is a bio robot?

One who performs robot-like tasks or performs tasks on behalf of a robot is a biorobot. Robots that are built using biological characteristics in living organisms are called biorobots.

What is Biomedical Robotics?

Biomedical robotics is the science and technology of robotic and mechatronic systems and their applications in medicine and biology. This is a research area focused on the design and development of medical robotic systems.

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