The first robots were invented in the 1920s. Robots have appeared in Hollywood such as Robocop and the Terminator. The robots in these films are stronger, faster and more intelligent than people.
In real life, robots are mainly used in factories. They do many different jobs. Usually these jobs are too dangerous, difficult or boring for humans.
Robots also help disabled people and people who cannot look after themselves. For example, scientists are making a robot to help blind people. Nowadays many blind people have a dog to help them. This dog is called a guide dog. In the future, guide dogs might be robot dogs.
One robot guide dog is called Meldog. It has wheels. It walks in front of its owner. It is very clever. It knows the speed of its owner's walk. Meldog talks to its owner by radio. The owner wears a special belt. This belt sends instructions from the owner to Meldog such as "Stop here", "Turn left", and "Turn right".
In the United States, another type of robot helps disabled workers. This robot, called Kilroy, helps disabled computer operators. The robot hears the sound of its owner's voice. It follows instructions such as, "Turn the page" and "Make a cup of coffee". This robot will bring its owner a paper tissue when he or she sneezes!
Robots are also used in American hospitals. They can do simple jobs. For example, they shave patients and brush their teeth. At one hospital, a robot with the nickname Roscoe takes meals from the kitchen to patients' rooms. Roscoe never gets lost because this robot has a map of the hospital in its computer memory.
Robots will never replace humans. They can, however, help people in many different ways.
36. Some robots in real life are_________.
A. dangerous B. boring
C. film stars D. factory workers
37. Some disabled people need help to_________.
A. make robots
B. become scientists
C. look after themselves
D. do dangerous jobs
38. Meldog is a_________.
A. blind dog B. robot scientist
C. real dog D. robot guide dog
39. Kilroy helps disabled computer operators. This robot can_________.
A. speak to its owner
B. give instructions
C. read books
D. make cups of coffee