Robo Sapiens: Evolution of a New Species

Citation

Menzel, P. and D’Aluisio, F. (2001), "Robo Sapiens: Evolution of a New Species", Industrial Robot, Vol. 28 No. 1, pp. 80-81. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2001.28.1.80.2

Robo Sapiens presents the next generation of intelligent robot and the laboratories in which they were born. The book is filled with photographs of these amazing machines and interviews with the experts. The book is written in an easily accessible manner that gives technical data which can be understood by those without a scientific background. A glossary is given at the back of the book to clarify any areas of uncertainty.

The photographs and interviews are divided into six sections: “Electric dreams”, “Robo sapiens”, “Bio logical”, “Remote possibilities”, “Work mates” and “Serious fun”. “Electric dreams” addresses what the future may hold for mankind and robotics. It discusses whether or not advanced, “intelligent” robots will be a threat to mankind and the possible evolutionary avenues robotics may take. “Robo sapiens” and “Bio logical” present robots which are either humanoid or based on concepts found in nature. These vary from the Honda P3 humanoid robot to the long armed ape – Brachiator III, and mark Tilden’s Spyder 1.0.

“Remote possibilities” presents a host of robots from Martian and Antarctic explorers, remotely operated rifles, to small robotic jets. The final two sections of the book, “Work mates” and “Serious fun”, introduce robots which help in the workplace – robotic policemen to those involved with automobile manufacture, and animatronic and football playing robots suitable for the entertainment industry.

Overall, this is a superbly written book which is difficult to put down. The photographs give a vivid reality to the research activities of laboratories and institutions across the world.