One Christmas, many, many, many years ago, I received the gifts that should have fulfilled a young girl's dreams. A Barbie car, a Barbie house, a friend for my older Barbie, tons of Barbie clothes and Ken were all there for me to drool over. The big deal was that I finally was deemed old enough to receive a Ken doll, so that particular gift should have made my day. But, after breakfast, when my two younger brothers stumbled out the door to lose their new football in the snow, I parked my dolls and their fancy pants in the corner and dug into my brothers' ElectraSet kit.

That electrical construction kit was the latest available at the time, and I was mesmerized with its metal pieces and its little electric engine. While I don't know what happened to that kit, I'll never forget the experience. It was my first introduction to robotics, and I was hooked.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines "robotics" as the "science or study of the technology associated with the design, fabrication, theory, and application of robots." And, as the definition states, much more goes into this science than meets the eye. For instance, the components used to make these machines are diverse. I'm talking wires, metals, light sensors, microchips, transistors, and sometimes the kitchen sink. The total purpose of these components is to create a machine that responds to its environment, that assimilates that environment, and that responds to that environment through directives.

Computer processors are key here, because within the past few years this vital component for robotics has become faster and less expensive. And no country has excelled at putting these processors to work than Japan. While creating a robot that can pass for a believable human being is still years away, you can find androids, or "'droids," all over Japan. Some serve as traffic guides at construction sites, and others serve as greeters that can speak up to four languages and respond to conversations (like Actroid, a human-sized doll). But try to get them to walk, and you'll have a tough row to hoe.

Beyond the 'full human' experience, robotics is responsible for the amazing prosthetics available today. These machines, which include full arms and hands in some situations, help people who have lost limbs to live fuller lives. Additionally, robots can work in factory lines until their microchips need to be replaced. And, they can function in dangerous environments, like places where there's too little oxygen (space) or too many toxins (radioactive "hot zones"). They also make for great bomb disposal personnel.

Plus, those little round vacuum cleaners that sense walls, carpets, and table legs are so fine that they could become personal friends. In fact, my mother calls her robotic vacuum her "little buddy," because it relieves her from lugging a heavy vacuum cleaner around the house, it works when she doesn't want to work, and it doesn't talk back. She even has the T-Shirt that brags about it.

So, it seems that robotics might represent a ripe field to investigate for investments. But, there are pitfalls that you might consider before you jump into this sector:

• Robots are defined, in part, by their ability to move. Movement may seem easy, especially when robots are contained in vehicles like the Mini-Andros used by bomb squads across the country. These machines can climb stairs and lift objects that weigh up to fifteen pounds, shoot guns at bombs and throw dangerous objects out windows. But, they're also built like small tanks with eight wheels on four very short legs. Their balance, then, is easier to maintain. To build a human-like robot that can accomplish those feats isn't that easy. Recent engineering breakthroughs have created two human-sized machines that can climb stairs and regain balance when unstable; but these machines are prototypes that are expensive to replicate. So, while robotics has made some incredible advances, the idea of a full-scale human-like replacement is far from perfected.
  
  
• With that said, moral and ethical issues revolve around the idea of replacing humans with robots. If robots can think, assimilate information, detect and express emotion, and pursue programmed interests, some people argue that it will become increasingly difficult to detect the difference between humans and machines (in some cases). Another argument states that as people become more dependent upon machines, they will become less self-reliant. While these debates deserve some merit, nothing beats what humans will do to other humans - or to this industry - to tarnish its positives?
  
  
• If you do decide to invest in some form of robotics, beware of advertising agencies and their clients who can set an entire industry back a few light years. For instance, a recent television advertisement showed a crew of supposedly light-hearted dancing robots at an automotive factory. The robots represented replacements for people who work on automotive assembly lines, and the automobile ad ran precisely when the country learned that thousands of automotive workers were about to lose their careers. From the automotive employee's perspective, I'm fairly certain that those light-stepping robots appeared menacing and somewhat chilling rather than "cute."

Change is inevitable, it seems, and - as a robotics addict - I would say that the future for this field seems exciting and positive in many ways. So, if you want to invest in this sector, you might not worry so much about "I, Robot," because that threat is based on science fiction rather than reality. But, you might keep an eye on the people who build and who promote these machines. Those people can be erratic, unpredictable, and?yes, human.

For more pros and cons about robotics, visit the Robotics site presented by the Tech Museum of Innovation.

Until Next Week,
Linda Goin