Inside Guide: Robotics

Fighting robots are not a new concept. Ever since the toy Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots made its debut in 1964, children and adults have had fun controlling robots as they fight each other. However, advancements in robotic technology have turned this whimsical pastime into a major sporting event. As the popularity of the TV show Battlebots makes clear, people love to watch robots fight! Full-color photographs, fact boxes, and exciting sidebars help immerse readers in the world of fighting robots, while a list of discussion questions challenges them to think more deeply about this high-interest STEM topic.

Advancements in robotics have enhanced the medical field for years, saving millions of lives. Many kinds of robots are already in use today, helping surgeons perform more precise, less invasive operations as well as cleaning and sanitizing hospitals. Many more are still being developed, in the future, we may see robots that dispense prescriptions and assist with physical therapy. Through vibrant photographs and accessible text that breaks down complex concepts, this volume delves into the present and future of this exciting STEM topic. In addition, sidebars, fact boxes, and critical-thinking questions enhance this reading experience.

Space is often referred to as the "final frontier," but in truth, humans know less about what lives in our oceans than we do about the far reaches of space. High pressure and low light make it dangerous for humans to explore the depths of the seas, which is why oceanographers have turned to robots in recent years. Vivid photographs, accessible text, and fact boxes give readers a glimpse into the world of ocean robotics, and engaging sidebars describe what we've learned from these amazing tools. A list of questions provides a starting point for more in-depth thinking about STEM.

Robots don't need to breathe, eat, or sleep. This makes them perfectly suited for work in the vacuum of space. Rovers on Mars have given humanity a wealth of knowledge about this planet, and machines that repair shuttles and other equipment are invaluable to astronauts. In this exciting STEM exploration, readers learn about space robots. Intriguing sidebars explore the ways science fiction has influenced the creation of real robots, and informative fact boxes and accessible main text discuss robots of the past, present, and future. Full-color photographs and a list of critical-thinking questions keep readers engaged as they learn.

In the 21st-century, people are starting to rely more frequently on robots for all kinds of things. Inventions such as drones, mechanical insects, and self-flying planes have changed the way people interact with the world around them. Through accessible text, augmented with full-color photographs, sidebars, and intriguing fact boxes, readers learn about the newest, most exciting advancements in aerial robotics, and how they benefit people. A list of questions promotes critical thinking about various aspects of this high-interest topic that presents STEM concepts in a fun and fascinating way.

Increasingly, world governments are seeing the benefits of using robots in wars instead of foot soldiers. In addition, robots are used by law enforcement agencies around the world. What do these robots do? How do they work? How can replacing soldiers and police officers with drones and other robots save lives? These questions and more are answered in this exciting volume. Engaging sidebars, full-color photographs, and fascinating fact boxes add to this in-depth look at advancements in defense robotics, and a list of discussion questions challenges readers to look at this issue from a new point of view.