GC: n

CT: Robots are comprised of several systems working together as a whole. The type of job the robot does dictates what system elements it needs. The general categories of robot systems are:

• Controller
• Body
• Mobility
• Power
• Sensors
• Tools.

S: http://prime.jsc.nasa.gov/ROV/systems.html (last access: 28 December 2014)

N: 1. robot (n): 1923, from English translation of 1920 play “R.U.R.” (“Rossum’s Universal Robots”), by Karel Capek (1890-1938), from Czech robotnik “slave,” from robota “forced labor, compulsory service, drudgery,” from robotiti “to work, drudge,” from an Old Czech source akin to Old Church Slavonic rabota “servitude,” from rabu “slave,” from Old Slavic orbu-, from PIE orbh- “pass from one status to another” (see orphan). The Slavic word thus is a cousin to German Arbeit “work” (Old High German arabeit). According to Rawson the word was popularized by Karel Capek’s play, “but was coined by his brother Josef (the two often collaborated), who used it initially in a short story.”
system (n): 1610s, “the whole creation, the universe,” from Late Latin systema “an arrangement, system,” from Greek systema “organized whole, a whole compounded of parts,” from stem of synistanai “to place together, organize, form in order,” from syn- “together” + root of histanai “cause to stand” from PIE root sta- “to stand” (see stet).
Meaning “set of correlated principles, facts, ideas, etc.” first recorded 1630s. Meaning “animal body as an organized whole, sum of the vital processes in an organism” is recorded from 1680s; hence figurative phrase to get (something) out of one’s system (1900). Computer sense of “group of related programs” is recorded from 1963. All systems go (1962) is from U.S. space program. The system “prevailing social order” is from 1806.
2. A system that includes the robot (hardware and software), consisting of the manipulator, power supply, and controller; the end effectors; any equipment, devices and sensors required for the robot to perform its task; and any communication interface that is operating and monitoring the robot, equipment and sensors.
3. robot system: term standardized by ISO and CSA.

S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=robot&searchmode=none (last access: 28 December 2014); http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=system&searchmode=none (last access: 28 December 2014). 2 & 3. TERMIUM PLUS (last access: 28 December 2014).

SYN: robotic system

S: TERMIUM PLUS (last access: 28 December 2014)

CR: automatic control engineering , cybernetics, robot , robotics.