Robots. The mere word conjures up a bevy of mind-bending images pulled straight from popular science fiction tales. But robots arent just the stuff of entertainment. Theyre real. Theyre everywhere around you. And theyre transforming your life in ways you cant imagine.

In short, the future of human civilization depends on collaborative robotics: humans and machines working together. According to robotics expert and award-winning professor John Long of Vassar College, Robots are what computers and self-propelled vehicles were to the 20th century: a technological revolution that impacts nearly every aspect of our lives, businesses, and security.

Yet for all their seen (and unseen) prevalence, robotics remains mysterious to most of us. How exactly do robots work? What does it take to build a robot that can, for a period of time, perform tasks and make decisions with little human input? What are the most revolutionary robots at work today? How do we balance the technological benefits of robots with the potential risks they pose to pre-existing ways of life?

To answer these and other questions is to take an in-depth journey into an exciting world; a journey Professor Long and The Great Courses present in the 24 incredible lectures of Robotics. Using in-studio robot demonstrations, videos of other state-of-the-art robots, 3-D animations, and other amazing visual aids, Professor Long demystifies the world of robots and provides a comprehensive introduction to these intelligent machines. Whether youre looking to grasp the hard science of how robots work or simply curious about the implications of robots for society, consider this course your official passport to an astonishing new world.

Intriguing Scientific Terrain

Professor Longs course is an encyclopedic yet accessible introduction to one of the most important areas of modern science. From the concept of robotic autonomy to the inner workings of sensors to the intriguing possibilities of the future, Robotics covers every major topic in the field.

As you proceed through this course, youll also get a look at some of the major ideas and ethical dilemmas involved in the world of robotics.

Fascinating Robots of Todayand Tomorrow

Not only will these and other robots open your eyes to the intricate details of how robots are designed, built, and improved upon, theyll illuminate how roboticists tackle everyday challenges and create technological advancements that are central to the way we live today and the way well live tomorrow.

RobotsExplained by a Brilliant Innovator

Transforming our studios into a veritable robotics laboratory, Professor Long lets you experience the trials and triumphs of robotics firsthand. Director and co-founder of Vassars Interdisciplinary Robotics Research Laboratory, hes researched, designed, and built robots with funding from major government agencies, including the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Small Business Administration. He takes you behind the scenes to show you what worked, what didnt, and why.

Youll also witness how robots operate at the level of the wire and sensor; how theyre built, taken apart, and rebuilt for different uses; how theyre designed using the latest technological advancements; and more. Packed with robot demonstrations and 3-D animations, these visually stimulating lectures are an exciting exploration of robotics at every level.

Ultimately, its all in service of Professor Longs overarching goal: to make you more informed and engaged with this increasingly important technology, which brings together the fields of engineering, computer science, neuroscience, and biology. Robotics shows you how we have been using robots to transform our world for decadesand how, in the decades to come, they will continue to revolutionize our lives.

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Robotics - The Great Courses