Technology & Internet • Robotics

Robot

A robot is a programmable machine that can carry out tasks automatically, either with direct control, partial autonomy, or full autonomy.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

A robot is a programmable machine that can carry out tasks automatically, either with direct control, partial autonomy, or full autonomy. In modern usage, the term covers a wide range of machines, from industrial manipulators to mobile service robots and humanoid systems. Robotics is the field concerned with designing, building, operating, and applying robots.

Definition

A robot is generally described as a machine that can perform actions automatically to some degree, often through computer programming and electronic control. Definitions vary, especially on whether remote-controlled or software-only systems qualify.

History and terminology

The word robot was popularized by Karel Čapek's 1920 play R.U.R., and later became a general term for mechanical workers or automated machines. The related term robotics refers to the study and practice of building and using robots.

Types and capabilities

Robots include industrial arms, mobile service robots, medical robots, humanoids, drones, swarm robots, and nanorobots. Common capabilities include sensing, movement, manipulation, and limited decision-making.

Uses and applications

Robots are used to replace or assist humans in repetitive, dangerous, precise, or physically demanding tasks. Major application areas include manufacturing, medicine, logistics, agriculture, and exploration.

Key facts

There is no single universally accepted definition of a robot, but most definitions emphasize programmability and automatic action.
Robots may be autonomous, semi-autonomous, teleoperated, or preprogrammed.
Robots are used in many settings, including industrial automation, healthcare, research, and hazardous environments.
Robotics is the engineering discipline dealing with robot design, construction, operation, and control systems.
The term robot was popularized by Karel Čapek in the play R.U.R.

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Canadian context

Canada has an active robotics sector in manufacturing, healthcare, mining, agriculture, and academic research, so robots are relevant to Canadian industry, labour, and technology policy.

Frequently asked questions

What is a robot?

A robot is a machine that can perform tasks automatically, usually with electronic control and some degree of programming or autonomy.

What is robotics?

Robotics is the field that studies the design, construction, operation, and application of robots.

Who popularized the word robot?

Karel Čapek popularized the word in his play R.U.R., first performed in 1920.

Do robots have to look human?

No. Many robots are not humanoid and are built for function rather than appearance.

Are remote-controlled machines robots?

Sometimes, but this is debated; sources note that there is no universal consensus on the boundary between robots and other automated or remote-controlled machines.

What are common robot uses?

Common uses include manufacturing, healthcare, hazardous-environment work, logistics, and research.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robot
Supports: General definition, categories, autonomy, examples, and lack of consensus on definition
Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/technology/robot-technology
Supports: Definition of robot and robotics
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robotics
Supports: Definition of robotics, components, and application areas
Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/robots-and-robotics
Supports: Terminology, origin in literature, historical development, and industrial use
The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction — https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/robots
Supports: Origin of the word robot in Čapek's R.U.R. and later general usage