Before you begin to read

1. What is a robot? Discuss your ideas with a partner and come up with the best definition you can without using a dictionary. Write your definition in your notebook.
   
   
2. List at least five examples of robots that are used in on Earth.
   
   
3. Robotics is an important field for Canada. Visit Google on the Internet - www.google.ca. Choose Directory and then Business. Search for robotics. Visit one Canadian company that is involved in robotics hardware research or manufacturing.
   
   
4. How do you think robots could be used to help humans explore Mars?

Read the article: Robots will be our exploration partners

After reading

1. Go back and read the definition of robot that you wrote in your notebook. How can you improve your definition based on what you've read?
   
   
2. Which of the following are robots? Justify your choices based on what you've read in the reading selection.
   
   flashlight, DVD player, photocopier, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, bicycle
   
   
3. Why we are sending robots to Mars before we send humans?