The world of children's toys does not stand still. And if twenty years ago, children dreamed of dolls and realistic cars, then robots on the control panel conquered the baby generation of gadgets. It is worth noting, of course, that not only children, but also adults are interested in them - everything depends on the offered functionality, but nevertheless, manufacturers are more often oriented to a young audience. What kind of robot is it in radio control, and can it be something more than just a toy? Can he not only entertain, but also teach something to the child?
Automation of modern life
To begin with, now more and more place in human life belongs to automated devices. Today, few people do it by hand if there is a washing machine, and it is unlikely that you will rely on the sunrise or cock cries to wake up in the morning when you can set an alarm.
All our home gadgets are the same robots, only of a different level of complexity. The interactive robot has already come to medicine (as an assistant in operations), and to industry (machines are assembled by devices programmed for a specific task), and to the military industry (autonomous scouts will easily collect the necessary information), what can we say about various assistant robots that Japan is so actively promoting is a world leader in robotics. You can’t be afraid of these innovations, because progress is inevitable, and robots are an integral part of it. Therefore, drop your technophobia and still think about whether the robot on the control panel for boys can become a truly amazing gift.
Guided and self-guided robots
Let's move on to the classification of robots. To begin with, they are managed and self-managed, in other words they are subordinate only to teams or they make decisions themselves. Most often, the latter type is a remote control robot with a camera that captures the surroundings so that artificial intelligence can make a decision. For example, an obstacle appeared on the way - a controlled robot will stop in front of it, waiting for a command from the remote control, while a self-controlled robot, having analyzed the situation, will find a way around it.
Naturally, self-managing robots are more expensive - they are more complicated in themselves, but still the process of choosing an action plan without the slightest inclusion in it is fascinating.
Dependent and autonomous mechanisms
Next come the dependent and standalone devices. The dependent needs direct contact with the operator. The exoskeletons beloved by the creators of blockbusters can serve as the most striking example: such a robot cannot function without contact with humans. An autonomous mechanism, it is also a radio-controlled robot, is easily dispensed with external control, without requiring a constant human presence. The latter type, of course, is more common today: it can include both children's toys and home gadgets, as well as serious cars, like rovers.
Humanoid
The third criterion is similar and abstract. They have been arguing about whether a robot should be as close as possible in appearance to a person for a very long time. Some sincerely believe that this is a violation of all ethical standards. A machine is a machine, and its appearance cannot be brought closer to the creatures of nature. Others advocate the integration of robots in human society, believing that maximum external resemblance will help in this excellently. Androids, this is the name of such robots, are sometimes completely indistinguishable from living people, while their artificial origin is immediately understandable by an abstract device. Which of the two camps to join is a personal question for everyone.
Japan, for example, announced that in one of the schools two robots will go to the first grade with their children. The experiment will help to find out whether androids are able to fully integrate into the human environment. At the same time, some other countries are fundamentally not involved in the development of human-like mechanisms.
Size doesn't matter
Naturally, robots vary in size. Nano, mini, midi and maxi - it all depends on the functions assigned to them. Of course, the robots on the control panel will not be huge, but it makes no sense to make them microscopic. Homemade toy robots are usually not taller than half a meter high.
Soft robots ?!
And the last criterion, which may break stereotypes now, is softness and hardness. Yes, in our minds, a robot is by all means a solid cold machine, but now devices are being created, both industrial and domestic, which are able to change their shape thanks to special cavities, adapting to environmental conditions. Additional advantages of such robots include their softness in the truest sense of the word. In the event of a collision with a person or object, they will not cause any harm, since the material for their manufacture is rubber or silicone.
"In the image and likeness"
And what are the robot toys on the control panel? To begin with, it’s not worth restricting them to only cyborg-like creatures: the market for children's robotics is very vast. In principle, this class of mechanisms includes all the familiar machines on control panels, helicopters, and other types of equipment. But traditionally toy robots are conditionally divided into animal robots and almost human robots.
The first group includes everything that even remotely resembles a person. For example, a transforming robot that can change shape at the command of the control panel - everyone knows Transformers from the movie of the same name that turn into cars. Next comes the interactive robot. It is more specialized: it can travel not only forward-backward and left-right, but also diagonally, change the reaction to teams taking into account the circumstances, for example, dance to certain music. A similar mechanism is already more complex than a transformer and more functional than it.
Pets
Next come the animal robots. Here, engineers have complete freedom of imagination. Dogs that obey commands respond to objects approaching or moving away and may bark when an obstacle appears; cats purring in response to touch and exposing the tummy for scratching; snakes dancing to music; dinosaurs growling at sudden movements - the list goes on and on. Robot control is not required here - they are completely interactive and respond to external factors.
Such mechanisms will be an excellent gift for a child who wants to have a pet, but does not have such an opportunity. Submission to teams, playfulness, sounds made by the robot - all this is copied from real animals, but at the same time you do not need to worry about food, walks and other aspects that children most often transfer to the shoulders of their parents, having received a coveted pet.
Multifunctionality
The robot on the control panel for boys is not only a great occasion to have fun, but also a surefire way to impress both peers and parents. It is impossible to limit the functions of such a toy to entertaining only - modern cyborgs can educate children by making riddles for them, learning songs and poems, repeating words in foreign languages. Moreover, a number of robots will learn from their master himself: as a reaction to a certain word or gesture, you can set some combination of movements or sounds. It will look very impressive, especially for those who rarely encounter such devices.
In principle, almost all robots on the control panel have about two dozen embedded programs, but the ability to increase their number will be a terrific gift.
Finally
I would like to end up with the fact that robots on the control panel are much more than just a toy. With their multifunctionality, they will occupy even the most capricious child for a long time - he simply can not tear himself away from the device. In addition, educational robots will help children develop logical thinking and fine motor skills, since you also need to be able to control the remote control. One has only to hesitate, and the robot will crash into something or fall, or maybe even break.
Animal robots will be a great opportunity to understand whether the child is ready to purchase a pet, or if he just needs another toy, without which he can easily do. The radio-controlled robot is a terrific gift that will amaze not only children, but also adults who are unlikely to expect such miracles from a toy. The price of the question depends on the complexity of the robot and its functionality and is from twenty-five dollars and above. But the joy of the child is really worth the money spent.