Are they really robots?

[Trent B]

Originally Posted by rtfgnow

Citation please. The value of this definition changes if it is from wikipedia, Marium-Webster, an engineering dictionary or yourself.

The New Oxford American Dictionary states this -

robot |ˈrōˌbät; ˈrōbət|
noun
a machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically, esp. one programmable by a computer.

Merriam-Webster Online -

Definition of ROBOT
1 a : a machine that looks like a human being and performs various complex acts (as walking or talking) of a human being; also : a similar but fictional machine whose lack of capacity for human emotions is often emphasized
b : an efficient insensitive person who functions automatically
2: a device that automatically performs complicated often repetitive tasks
3: a mechanism guided by automatic controls

Based on both of these it appears for the most part we aren't building "robots" as most teams focus on teleoperation rather than autonomous in my experience. However, given that many of our robots are equipped with senors to provide autonomous function we do have "robots" during the autonomous mode even if they drive in a straight line.