Robotics and Automation Check for Understanding

A nuclear plant has a leaking valve of natural gas. The leak must be controlled immediately to avoid an explosion. What is the best strategy an engineer would use to reduce the hazard from the natural gas?

• Send a technician to turn off the valve.

• Go in him/herself and turn off the valve.

• Send a maintenance robot to turn off the valve.

Why is a robot the best option to use if there is a possible explosion?

• The situation is dangerous and possibly hazardous to humans due to the possible explosion.

• It does not place human lives at risk.

• Robots are slower than humans.

What types of questions would an engineer ask in order to find a solution to the leaking gas problem happening at the nuclear plant.

• ASK - What is the problem we are trying to solve?

• EXPLORE - What are the possible solutions and outcomes?

• MODEL - How many engineers should go inside the nuclear plant?

Would an engineer choose to employ a human or a robot for the following situation?

Adding a screw to attach the back cover of a tablet 5,000 times a day.

• Robot

• Human

Would an engineer choose to send a human or a robot for the following situation?

Search and rescue of a person requiring immediate medical attention under an unstable pile of rubble.

• A robot because it's a dangerous situation.

• A human because there is a need for medical attention.

• Both - A Robot and Human are appropriate.