Page 304 - Concise Encyclopedia of Robotics

Smart Robot
blowers can be robotic devices themselves, designed with the applicable
task in mind.
The main challenge, once a lawn-mowing or snow-blowing robot has
begun its work, is for it to do its work everywhere that it should, but
nowhere that it should not.You don’t want the lawn mower in your garden,
and there is no point in blowing snow from your lawn. Current-carrying
wires might be buried around the perimeter of your yard, and along the
edges of the driveway and walkways, establishing the boundaries within
which the robot must work.
Inside the work area, edge detection can be used to follow the line
between mown and unmown grass,or between cleared and uncleared pave-
ment. This line is easily seen because of differences in brightness and/or
color.Alternatively, a computer map can be used, and the robot can sweep
along controlled and programmed strips with mathematical precision.
The idle homeowner
If robots can do all our housework, what will be left for us to do? Won’t
people get bored sailing, hiking, working out, and otherwise spending
time that used to be devoted to maintaining our property?
Although robots and computers can do work for us, we do not have to
employ them. There will always be times when people prefer to do house-
hold chores themselves. Many people enjoy doing their own gardening.
Perhaps the greatest challenge in home automation will be to decide what
tasks are best left to the homeowners.
A major hangup with home computerization is the matter of trust.
Most people have trouble enough entrusting computers with simple
tasks such as storing data. Some people will never be comfortable leaving
a computer or robotic system entirely in charge of the house.
See also AUTONOMOUS ROBOT, FIRE-PROTECTION ROBOT, INSECT ROBOT, PERSONAL ROBOT,
SECURITY ROBOT, SENTRY ROBOT, and SMOKE DETECTION.
SMART ROBOT
See AUTONOMOUS ROBOT.

SMOKE DETECTION
When people and property must be protected from fire, smoke detection
is a simple and effective measure. Smoke detectors are inexpensive, and
can operate on flashlight batteries.
Smoke changes the characteristics of the air. It is accompanied by
changes in the relative amounts of gases. Fire burns away oxygen and
produces other gases, especially carbon dioxide. The smoke itself consists
of solid particles.

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