Unit 9: Robotics
Modeling Nature
Prepared By:
Dr. Marine Milad
Robotics
In this unit, you will:
• read about how the field of robotics is using models in nature
to create machines.
• learn about analyzing advantages and disadvantages.
• increase your understanding of the target academic words for
this unit:
bulk comprise furthermore notion schedule
capacity consist illustrate proceed shif
code document method project
Self-Assessment of Target Words
• Read the target words of this unit in the objectives box above. Think
carefully about how well you know each word. Then, write each word in
the appropriate column in this chart. When you have finished this unit,
come back and reassess your knowledge of the target words.
I have never I have seen I understand I have tried I use the I use the
seen the the word but the word to use the word with word with
word before I am not sure when I see or word, but I confidence in confidence
what it hear it in a am not sure I either both in
means sentence am using it speaking or speaking and
correctly writing writing
Reading 1:
Before You Read
Read these questions. Discuss your answers in small groups.
l. Imagine that you are a traveling salesperson and you have to
travel to the towns represented on the following map. You
want to find the shortest route that will take you to every
town once. What strategy would you use to decide on a
route?
Reading 1:
Before You Read
Read these questions. Discuss your answers in small groups.
Reading 1:
Before You Read
Read these questions. Discuss your answers in small groups.
2. Whatever method you used to find an acceptable route, you
had the advantage of being able to look ahead.
– What strategy would you use if you had to ask directions in each
town?
– Could only see one town ahead? What question would you ask?
3. What household tasks or chores can you imagine robots
doing in the near future?
Reading 1: Read
The Swarm Bots Are Coming
• Biologists have learned a lot about the behavior of ants. This
knowledge, it turns out, has surprising implications for robot
design.
Reading 1: Read
The Swarm Bots Are Coming
• Ant algorithms are being used to control a class
of robots called swarm bots (s-bots).
• For example, if an s-bot encounters an object too heavy or
bulky to carry on its own, other s-bots will grasp either the
object or other s-bots until they get it under control.
• Such devices might prove helpful in activities like search-and-
rescue and planetary exploration.
After You Read
Reading Comprehension Activities
A. Mark each sentence as T (true) or F (false) according to the information
in reading 1. Use dictionary to help you understand new words .
........ 1. Ants respond to instructions communicated from the center of the
nest .
........ 2. As the strength of a scent trail diminishes, ants show less interest in
that path .
........ 3. Ant algorithms are currently being used to assist in search and rescue
operations .
........ 4. Robots today are being used to hunt down and identify fugitives.
........ 5. David Hanson’s robots are capable of learning.
........ 6. Dr. Hanson’s robots are designed for use in movies.
........ 7. For Hanson, cost is a factor to consider when designing robots.
After You Read
Reading Comprehension Activities
A. Mark each sentence as T (true) or F (false) according to the information
in reading 1. Use dictionary to help you understand new words .
....F.... 1. Ants respond to instructions communicated from the center of the
nest .
.....T.. 2. As the strength of a scent trail diminishes, ants show less interest in
that path .
.....F... 3. Ant algorithms are currently being used to assist in search and
rescue operations .
.....F... 4. Robots today are being used to hunt down and identify fugitives.
.....T... 5. David Hanson’s robots are capable of learning.
....F.... 6. Dr. Hanson’s robots are designed for use in movies.
....T.... 7. For Hanson, cost is a factor to consider when designing robots.
READING STRATEGY: Analyzing Advantages
and Disadvantages
READING STRATEGY: Analyzing Advantages
and Disadvantages
A. Read the lists of potential advantages and disadvantages that
might be relevant when analyzing a plan or idea on page 134.
Can you think of other considerations to add to each list?
B. Drawing on information from the readings, list advantages and
disadvantages for each of these technological solutions. The
readings may imply advantages and disadvantages not directly
discussed.
READING STRATEGY: Analyzing Criteria
B. Answer Key:
After You Read
Vocabulary Activities
After You Read
Vocabulary Activities
A. Read this article on Mars mini-probes, a possible application
of swarm technology. Fill in the blanks with a target word
from the chart above that completes the sentence in a
grammatical and meaningful way. Be sure to use the correct
form.
A. Answer Key:
After You Read
Vocabulary Activities
B. The words in bold have more than one meaning, depending
on context. Read these sentences and circle the meaning that
best fits the context.
B. Answer Key:
Reading 2:
Before You Read
1. Are robots with humanlike intelligence a development that
we should embrace or fear?
2. What characteristics or qualities must a machine have in
order to be considered a robot?
Reading 2: Read
Robots 'R' Us
• Our ancient quest to create androids is about to destroy the
boundary between humans and machines. Futurist, author
and inventor Ray Kurzweil explains how and ponders the
implications.
After You Read
Reading Comprehension Activities
A. Mark each sentence as T(true) or F(false) according to the information in
Reading 2. Use the dictionary to help you understand new words .
........ I. Ray Kurzweil sees advanced cyborg and android robots as inevitable .
........ 2. Karel Capek saw robots as a threat to humans .
........ 3. According to Kurzweil, we have trouble seeing utilitarian devices as being
true robots .
........ 4. As our technological capabilities increase, technology becomes more and
more expensive .
........ 5. Kurzweil believes we have underestimated the complexity of the human
brain .
........ 6. The actual structure of the brain is less complex than the code for some
computer programs .
........ 7. According to Kurzweil, we will not only create machines with
superhuman intelligence, but we will also enhance our own intelligence.
After You Read
Reading Comprehension Activities
A. Mark each sentence as T(true) or F(false) according to the
information in Reading 2. Use the dictionary to help you
understand new words .
A. Answer Key:
After You Read
Reading Comprehension Activities
B. Scan the article for the answers to these questions. First think
about the key word you will scan for. Use any annotations or
highlighting you have done to help you. Compare answers
with a partner.
After You Read
Reading Comprehension Activities
B. Answer Key:
READING STRATEGY: Identifying Ethics and
Values
A. On page 140, there are some ethical and moral
considerations.
Can you think of others to add to the lists?
Things we want to encourage, promote, or increase
Things we want to discourage, prevent, or decrease
READING STRATEGY: Identifying Ethics and
Values
B. In approving or rejecting an idea, writers may clearly state
what ethical concerns or values motivate their writing.
Just as ofen, though, writers will imply what values are
important to them.
Each statement on the lef describes one feature of a trend,
development, or behavior. Match each statement to a desire
or fear listed on the right.
READING STRATEGY: Identifying Ethics and
Values
B. Answer Key:
READING STRATEGY: Identifying Ethics and
Values
C. Read this comment on Kurzweil's ideas. Then, in a small
group, discuss the questions that follow.
Ray Kurzweil, the author of "Robots 'R' Us," has some
controversial views about the future of humans. I Ie feels that
advances in biochemistry, neurology, and computer science
will allow us to redesign our bodies and our minds in ways
that will make us more intelligent and perhaps immortal.
Kurzweil is generally optimistic about these developments.
Others may see such developments as a serious threat to our
values.
1. What value is there in being able to redesign ourselves?
2. What values may be threatened by such a change?
After You Read
Vocabulary Activities
After You Read
Vocabulary Activities
A. Fill in the blank with a target word from the chart above that
completes the sentence in a grammatical and meaningful
way. Be sure to use the correct form.
A. Answer Key:
After You Read
Vocabulary Activities
B. The words in bold have more than one meaning, depending
on context. Read these sentences and circle the meaning that
best fits the context.
B. Answer Key:
After You Read
Vocabulary Activities
After You Read
Vocabulary Activities
C. The previous chart above shows some of the more
predictable collocations, or word partners, for selected
target vocabulary. Using the chart, complete these sentences
with a likely word. Be sure to use the correct form.
C. Answer Key:
WRITING AND DISCUSSION TOPICS
Research Assignment
Each student should choose one of
the topics on page 144 to write
about and present it in 1 to 2
minutes the next session during the
10 minutes reading enrichment.
Thank you
