Robot Conundrum
•12/27/2025
Types of Robots: Industrial, Service, Social, and Autonomous
Not all robots are built the same. We break down the major types of robots—industrial, service, social, and autonomous—using real-world examples and the Sense–Think–Act framework.
Robot Conundrum
•12/13/2025
Would a Smart Toaster Ever Count as a Robot?
Smart toasters promise precision and connectivity, but could one ever be considered a robot? We evaluate smart kitchen devices using the Sense–Think–Act framework.
Robot Conundrum
•11/27/2025
Are Satellites Robots? Machines That Think While Orbiting Earth
Satellites sense, think, and act hundreds of miles above Earth. Does that make them robots? We analyze satellites using the Sense–Think–Act framework.
Robot Conundrum
•11/11/2025
Are Factory Arms Robots Without AI?
Industrial robotic arms often lack AI or learning systems. Are they still robots? We analyze factory arms using the Sense–Think–Act framework and settle the debate.
Robot Conundrum
•10/26/2025
Is a Smart Thermostat a Robot? The Quietest Robot in Your Home
Smart thermostats sense, decide, and act inside your home. Does that make them robots? We analyze Nest and similar devices using the Sense–Think–Act framework.
Robot Conundrum
•10/10/2025
Do Roombas and Robot Mowers Really Count as Robots?
Is a Roomba actually a robot, or just a smart appliance? We analyze robot vacuums, lawn mowers, pool cleaners, and mopping robots using the Sense–Think–Act framework.
Robot Conundrum
•9/24/2025
Automatons vs Robots: What's the Real Difference?
Automatons and robots are often confused, but they are not the same thing. We break down the real differences using history, engineering, and the Sense–Think–Act framework.
Robot Conundrum
•9/8/2025
Robot vs AI: What's the Difference?
Robots and AI are often confused. This article clearly explains the difference between robots and artificial intelligence using real-world examples and the Sense–Think–Act framework.
Robot Conundrum
•8/23/2025
Why We Expect Human-Like Robots (and Why Real Robots Look Nothing Like Us)
Why do people imagine robots as humanoids, when real robots come in wildly different forms? We explore psychology, history, and engineering to explain the disconnect.
Robot Conundrum
•8/7/2025
Robot vs Machine vs Tool vs Appliance: What's the Difference?
What actually separates a robot from a machine, a tool, or an appliance? A clear, practical breakdown using the Sense–Think–Act framework.
Robot Conundrum
•7/22/2025
Does Software Count as a Robot?
Does software qualify as a robot, or is it something fundamentally different? A practical exploration using the Sense–Think–Act framework.
Robot Conundrum
•7/6/2025
Robotics in Agriculture: Are Farms Becoming Robot Territory?
From autonomous tractors to robotic harvesters, agriculture is becoming one of the most robot-heavy industries on Earth. We break down what counts as a robot on the modern farm.
Robot Conundrum
•6/20/2025
Why People Disagree About What Counts as a Robot
Why can't we agree on what a robot is? An accessible breakdown of cultural, technical, and psychological reasons behind the disagreement.
Robot Conundrum
•6/4/2025
Are Transformers Robots or Living Beings?
Transformers blur the line between robots and living beings. We analyze Autobots and Decepticons using the Sense–Think–Act framework to see what they really are.
Robot Conundrum
•5/19/2025
Are Self-Driving Cars Robots? And Is Airplane Autopilot One Too?
Are self-driving cars robots? What about airplane autopilot systems? A clear, practical analysis using the Sense–Think–Act framework.
Robot Conundrum
•5/3/2025
Is a Dishwasher a Robot? A Serious Case For and Against
Is a dishwasher just a machine, or does it cross the line into robot territory? We analyze dishwashers using the Sense–Think–Act framework and make the case for and against calling them robots.
Robot Conundrum
•4/17/2025
A Brief History of Robots (From Myth to Factory Floor)
A practical, readable history of robots—from ancient myths and mechanical automata to industrial robots and modern autonomous systems.
Robot Conundrum
•4/1/2025
The Sense–Think–Act Framework
Methodology used to evaluate objects on Is It a Robot? that allows us to have a friendly debate.
Robot Conundrum
•4/1/2025
Is It a Robot? Join the discussion!
An introduction to Is It a Robot?, a site exploring the gray area between machines, smart appliances, and real robots using the Sense–Think–Act framework.