In robotics, an android is a type of robot specifically designed to resemble a human in both appearance and behavior. This includes having a human-like form, often with flesh-like materials, and the ability to perform tasks typical of humans such as walking, talking, and showing facial expressions
. Key points about androids in robotics:
- They are humanoid robots, meaning their shape and movements mimic those of humans
- The term "android" comes from Greek roots meaning "man-like," originally referring to male-appearing robots; female versions are sometimes called "gynoids"
- Androids differ from general robots in that not all robots look or act like humans-androids are a subset focused on human resemblance
- They are fully mechanical/artificial beings, unlike cyborgs, which combine organic and mechanical parts
- Androids are designed for human-robot interaction, aiming to behave in ways humans find natural and relatable
- Creating androids is challenging due to the complexity of human anatomy and movement, and they often face issues like the "uncanny valley," where near-human likeness can cause discomfort
In summary, an android in robotics is a robot engineered to look and act like a human being, often with sophisticated facial expressions and movements, designed to interact naturally with people
