Robot Definition

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Dragon1 Definition for Robot:
A machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically, especially one programmable by a computer. A robot is not an organism and does not feed on organic matter, but needs an alternative energy source to function.

Let us define Robot

What does Robot mean? Are there nice examples of Robots? What is the difference between a physical robot and a software robot? And what do Robotic Process Automation and AI have in common? Dragon1 term definition.

Robot Definition

A Robot is a physical machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically, especially one programmable by a computer. A robot is not an organism and does not feed on organic matter; it needs an alternative energy source to function.

Physical robots are commonly found in factories, warehouses, and homes. Industrial robots, for example, are often used on assembly lines to handle manufacturing processes with precision and speed.

For example, in the healthcare sector, surgical robots assist doctors in performing delicate procedures, while in everyday life, household robots like robotic vacuum cleaners help automate cleaning tasks. These machines typically include components like sensors, motors, and mechanical arms, allowing them to interact with the physical world.

Usage

A robot typically has specialized sensors and can respond rapidly to stimuli.

Software Robot Definition

A software robot is not a tangible device but a virtual worker miming human actions within digital systems. It interacts with user interfaces on a computer just like a person would—by clicking, typing, copying, and pasting information between applications.

These software robots are beneficial for handling repetitive and rules-based tasks in administrative or business processes.

For instance, a software bot might log into an accounting system, extract data, and populate a spreadsheet with that information. Unlike physical robots, software robots do not have a body or mechanical parts; they exist entirely in software environments.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a technology that enables the creation and use of software robots to automate highly repetitive, routine tasks that human workers usually perform.

RPA bots can be programmed to perform various functions such as automated data processing, like processing invoices, transferring data between systems, generating reports, or sending routine email communications. The main advantage of RPA is that it significantly speeds up processes while reducing the risk of human error. Moreover, RPA bots can work 24/7 without fatigue, making them a cost-effective solution for high-volume tasks.

AI vs. RPA

Although Artificial Intelligence (AI) and RPA are often mentioned together, they serve different purposes. RPA is focused on automating tasks based on clearly defined rules and instructions. It operates predictably and does not adapt or learn from experience.

In contrast, AI technologies are designed to interpret data, identify patterns, and make decisions based on learned behavior. While RPA follows instructions (like copying data from one system to another), AI can understand and respond to natural language, recognize images, and make predictions based on historical data.

For example, an AI-powered chatbot can understand and respond to customer questions in natural language. At the same time, an RPA bot could handle the backend task of retrieving the customer’s data from a database.

Intelligent Automation (IA)

Intelligent Automation combines RPA with AI technologies such as machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), or computer vision.

The idea is to bring together the rule-based efficiency of RPA with the cognitive capabilities of AI. For example, AI can read and interpret the content of an incoming email to determine its intent. Then an RPA bot can perform the necessary actions, such as logging the request, updating a system, or sending a personalized response. Intelligent automation allows organizations to automate more complex workflows that involve decision-making and interpretation.

Business Process Management (BPM)

Business Process Management (BPM) is a broader discipline that analyzes, designs, and optimizes business processes to improve efficiency and outcomes.

Unlike RPA, which primarily automates tasks within existing processes, BPM involves rethinking and redesigning the entire process flow. For instance, BPM might involve mapping out how a customer service request is handled from start to finish, identifying inefficiencies or bottlenecks, and then implementing changes to streamline the process. RPA can then be applied as one of the tools within a BPM strategy to automate parts of the optimized workflow.

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