8.7 Discuss the following:
1. Why did people create robots?
2. Why are some people against robots?
3. Continue the sentence: “Robots are people’s _____”.
8.8 Read this short text, then match each robot type with the appropriate definition.
Classification of Types of Robot
One way of classifying robots is in terms of their similarity to humans. An automaton is any machine capable of operating independently, such as a clothes dryer. A flexible machine is a special case of an automaton with different capabilities, that can be programmed as the need arises. An example is a welding robot on the factory floor that can be programmed to participate in other production operations. A mobile robot is a flexible machine capable of moving freely in its own environment. It can partly select its own goals and communicates with other agents, including humans. An android or humanoid is a mobile robot whose structure approximately resembles a human structure. Finally, a cyborg is a humanoid with organic structures. Cyborgs have some physiological structures similar to those of humans.
1. Mobile robot
2. Cyborg
3. Automaton
4. Flexible machine
5. Android/ Humanoid
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a) Machine capable of independent operation following a predetermined series of behaviours, e.g. a cuckoo clock
b) Flexible machine capable of moving and communicating with humans, e.g. a sentry robot
c) Humanoid having both organic and inorganic structures, with some physiological similarity to humans
d) Mobile robot of human proportions
e) Versatile, programmable automaton, e.g. an assembly robot
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8.9 Now renumber the robot types, 1– 5 (1 = the most similar to humans; 5 = the simplest).
What type of work can each of the types be used for? Provide examples.
8.10 What can these robots do? Say what you think. What type of robot do they belong to?
8.11 Listen to different people talking about the robots to check your answers and number the photos in the order you hear about them.
8.12 Listen again and say which robot:
is fully automatic.
can reach 15 metres.
is an electronic pet.
has vacuum gripper feet.
is the solution for dirty windows.
is designed to save floor space.
The Complex Subject
Verbs and Word Groups
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The Complex Subject
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Translation
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Verb in the Passive:
to see, to hear, to notice
to think, to consider,
to believe, to expect,
to suppose, to know
to order, to ask, to offer,
to tell, to allow, to let,
to encourage, to make
to say, to report,
to announce
Pairs of synonyms:
to seem/to appear,
to happen/to chance,
to prove/to turn out
Word groups:
to be likely, to be unlikely, to be sure/to be certain
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An old man was seen to walk and play with AIBO like with a real dog.
Japanese engineers are believed to develop a new model of AIBO every year.
to be developing a new model of AIBO now.
to have developed AIBO as an electronic friend for old people.
A new model of AIBO is believed to be developed every year.
AIBO is believed to have been developed as an electronic friend for old people.
The designer was asked to demonstrate the capabilities of the new model of AIBO.
Japanese engineers are reported to develop a new model of AIBO every year.
to be developing a new model of AIBO at the moment.
to have developed AIBO as an electronic friend for old people.
A new model of AIBO is reported to be developed every year.
AIBO is reported to have been developed as an electronic friend for old people.
The results of the work don’t seem to satisfy the researchers.
The researchers seemed to be satisfied with the results of their work.
The two scientists happen to be working on similar projects.
A group of first-year students turned out to have developed
the robot which won
the competition.
The robot which won the competition turned out to have been developed by a group of first-year students.
Electronic pets are not likely to replace real cats and dogs.
Real cats and dogs are unlikely to be replaced by electronic pets.
Engineers are likely to be developing robots for using in the home.
The designers are sure to have created the robot in order to test their theory.
The robot is certain to have been created in order to test some theory.
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Видели, как пожилой человек гулял и играл …
Считается, что японские инженеры конструируют …
… сконструировали …
Считается, что новую модель конструируют …
… был сконструирован …
Разработчика попросили продемонстрировать …
Сообщают, что японские инженеры конструируют …
… сконструировали …
Сообщают, что новую модель конструируют …
… был сконструирован …
Кажется, результаты работы не устраивают …
Казалось, исследователи были удовлетворены …
Эти двое ученых случайно работают …
Оказалось, что студенты первого курса сконструировали …
Оказалось, что робот был сконструирован …
Электронные домашние любимцы вряд ли заменят …
Живых кошек и собак вряд ли заменят ….
Инженеры, вероятно, конструируют …
Конструкторы наверняка создали …
Робот, несомненно, был создан …
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8.13 Which is right?
Robots are supposed to be used/to be using for doing boring or dangerous jobs.
Engineers seem to be working/to have worked on new types of robots that will help doctors perform surgical operations.
Robots are known to apply/to have been applied in industry for about 50 years.
Scientists are expected to develop/to be developed robotic parts of the body for disabled people.
The programmer proved to make/to have made a mistake, that is why the robot soldered the wires in the wrong way.
People are not likely to do/to have done any manual work at the highly automated factories of the future.
8.14 Replace the following complex sentences by simple sentences with the Complex Subject.
Model: The developers of the robot dog AIBO say that it understands the name you give it.
AIBO is said to understand the name you give it.
People consider that Japanese companies make the most advanced humanoid robots in the world.
Aerospace engineers expect that robots will successfully perform different tasks in space.
It is likely that the robot being developed by the researches of our laboratory will be used for eye surgery.
The journal reports that scientists imitated muscle structure and movement of an elephant's trunk in order to create a robotic arm capable of lifting heavy objects.
It appears that the scientists of this research institute are designing nanorobots for drug delivery.
It turned out that robots are extremely good at inserting integrated circuits onto printed circuit boards used in electronics.
8.15 Translate the part of the sentence in brackets into English.
The idea of creating a mechanical helper seems (появилась) together with the mankind.
Robots proved (очень эффективны) in automobile industry.
The bomb was reported (была обезврежена) by a robot.
Scientists are considered (проектируют) robots that will be able to learn like children.
The trains of the future are likely (будут управляться) by robots.
By 2050 a team of fully autonomous humanoid robots is expected (смогут обыграть) the human world champion team in soccer.
8.16 Translate into English
Известно, что слово «робот» впервые использовал чешский писатель Карел Чапек, образовав его от чешского слова ‘robota’, означающего тяжелый принудительный труд.
Оказалось, что роботы прекрасно выполняют задачи, требующие точных и быстрых повторяющихся движений.
Сообщают, что в Массачусетском технологическом институте (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT) разрабатывают роботов, способных учиться, как маленькие дети.
Проектируя вакуумные «ноги» этого робота, ученые, скорее всего, пытались имитировать способность ящерицы геккон (gecko) передвигаться по любым поверхностям, даже вертикальным и гладким.
Кажется, роботы нашли применение во всех сферах жизни: от упаковки конфет в коробки и сборки автомобильных двигателей до обезвреживания бомб и сложных хирургических операций.
В футболе современные роботы вряд ли смогут составить конкуренцию игрокам-людям.
8.17 Using the diagram to help you, fill in the gaps in the text with the words given. Use your dictionary if necessary.
Co-ordination of control in robots
The diagram shows a (1) _____ system for the force required to (2) _____ an object. The desired level of force is fed into the control module, which (3) _____ it with the actual amount of force as indicated by the feedback signal. The discrepancy enters the command generator, which determines the (4) _____ and extent of adjustment necessary. The resulting command passes into an amplifier which produces power (5) _____ to the level of the input signal. The power drives a motor (6) _____ to some linkage such as a set of gears. The mechanical linkage in the robotic hand ultimately (7) _____ the initial command signal into displacement at the fingertips.
proportional grasp attached closed-loop compares direction converts
8.18 Using the diagram and the explanation fill in the following table:
Element of the system
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Function
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8.19 Design a robot to do a dangerous or boring job for you. Draw a rough sketch and make notes about how it works.
Model:
What the robot is for
How it works
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It is to pick up the socks in my bedroom
The sensor smells ..., the arm ...
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8.20 Discuss your ideas with a partner. Comment on your partner's idea.
Model:
What powers the robot? Where does it put the socks?
Unit 9
My Faculty
Vocabulary
enter the University (v)
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поступить в университет
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to take / to pass entrance exams
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[´entrәns]
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сдавать / сдать вступительные экзамены
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to be admitted to the faculty
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[әd´mıtıd]
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быть принятым на факультет
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full-time / part-time / extramural forms of education
|
[‚ekstrә´mj|әrәl]
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дневная / вечерняя / заочная формы обучения
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to be set up
(syn. to be founded,
to be formed,
to be organized)
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быть основанным
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to be situated
(syn. to be located)
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быть расположенным
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teaching block
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учебный корпус
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dean
dean’s office
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Декан
деканат
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to take office –
|
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вступить в должность
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academic staff
(syn. teaching staff)
|
[stä:f]
|
профессорско-преподавательский состав
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curriculum (pl. curricula)
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[kә´rıkj|lәm]
|
учебный план
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bias (syn. major, core) subjects
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[baıәs] [´meıdžә] [ké:]
|
профилирующие предметы
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general (syn. minor) subjects
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[´maınә]
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непрофилирующие предметы
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elective courses
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[ı´lektıv]
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курсы по выбору
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instructional laboratory
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[ın´stršk∫n(ә)l lә´bãrәt(ә)rı]
|
учебная лаборатория
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to equip
|
[ı´kwıp]
|
оборудовать
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to participate
(syn to take part)
|
[pä:´tısı‚peıt]
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принимать участие
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research
|
[rı´ sît∫, ´ri:sî:t∫ ]
|
исследование
|
career-oriented / research-oriented student
|
[kә´rıә ´é:riәntıd]
|
студент, ориентированный на практическую / исследовательскую деятельность
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to offer a multi-level education scheme
|
[ski:m]
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предлагать многоуровневую систему образования
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to award a degree
|
[ә´wé:d]
|
присвоить степень
|
Bachelor’s / Master of Science degree / Diploma in Engineering
|
[´bæt∫әlә]
[dı´plә|mә]
|
степень бакалавра / магистра / диплом инженера
|
to take a postgraduate course
|
[pә|st´grædž|әt]
|
учиться в аспирантуре
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to have practical training
|
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проходить практику
|
to graduate from the University
|
[´grædžu‚eıt]
|
окончить университет
|
graduate
|
[´grædžuәt]
|
выпускник
|
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