Robotic and automated systems have a pronounced impact upon the daily
lives of everyone within the industrialized world. In response to the
burgeoning role of automation, the rapid evolution of robotics, and the
effects of these technologies upon industrial, economic, government,
research, academic and social structures, robotics and automation
agencies and institutes have been created by governments, business
and industry, educational institutions, consumer groups and combinations
thereof to promote, coordinate and oversee the proliferation of
automated and intelligent systems and to educate the public, governing
bodies and corporate entities regarding the benefits, drawbacks and proper
implementation of automated systems. Some robotics agencies and
institutes are tied directly to the founding bodies, some are adjuncts,
and others are entirely autonomous. Robotics agencies and institutes
have a variety of mandates, usually defined in a mission statement
and often further expanded upon in a goals or vision
statement. Specific mandates and objectives may include:
- Promotion of education, research, development and commerce in
robotic and automation technology;
- Funding of robotics and automation research and development
efforts;
- Encouraging development of career opportunities in robotics and
automated systems and facilitation of job placement within various
robotics and automation disciplines;
- Raising public awareness of robotics and automation issues, challenges
or hazards or bringing a particular aspect of robotics or automation
technology to the forefront of the public consciousness;
- Serving as a watchdog or monitor for the robotics and
automation industry sector and for those industries employing
robots and automated systems to insure compliance with safety
procedures, ethical standards and codes of conduct;
- Lobbying lawmaking bodies for enactment of laws either favorable to
the robotics and automation industry and the scientific community that
supports it or restrictive to specific aspects of robotics and
automated systems technology development.
Robotics and automation agencies and institutes in the private sector are
most often non-profit entities, but may also be for-profit companies such
as think tanks engaged in furthering specific robotics or
automated systems industries and research segments or robotics and
automated systems development in general. Robotics and automation
agencies and institutes may be regional, national or international in
scope and influence.
Authored by Kenneth L. Anderson.
Original article published 2 September 2005.
Follow links to the right to learn more about the major robotics and automated systems
agencies and institutes worldwide, the functions each performs and the
benefits that derive from their existence.
At the left margin, Related Links address topics of interest
pertaining to robotics and automation. View the
Robotics & Automation SiteMap
for a complete list of robotics and automation topics.
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