A robot:
0. has a physical pressence.
1. is a machine
2. has artificial orgins(ultimatly)
3. has no biological components
4. can change its relationship to its environment(Move through it or move it)
5. possesses actuation systems for movement
6. possesses sensor systems for detection of its environment and/or itself
7. possesses a control system that receives information from its sensor system and/or itself and based on it generates outputs sent to its actuators and/or itself
8. Can operate autonomously
In other words no cyborgs, clones, bioroids, repetitive devices, mechs, sentient computers, AI programs, or teleoprated devices. Next while there are several types of robots, and various ways to classify them, they can be put into these very basic areas.
Sessile: The robot lacks any means to move itself on its own accord from its present location. The robot may even be secured to its location. Some smart houses could be considered this(Home Wrecker). Note if robot runs on integrated tracks/rails, they are considered to be functionally a part of that robot. Many factory robots are of this type. Power, sensors, controller and actuator systems may not be integrated in one functional location, and can even be distributed across buildings.
Tethered: Robot is not immobile but it is limited to an area based on the fact its power and/or control system is external and requires physical links to them. Many experimental robots are this type. It is rather inconvenient to have to wait in between chargings, or hot battery swaps to further develop the robot so it is externally powered. For development purposes it may also be convenient to have the control system be external and easy to access. Another reason for this is it may use some type of statically unstable system of motion and until it is perfected, it is kept in a harness so it does not fall over.
Ranged: Robot is not physically tied to its environment but has a range or area which it can function, and beyond that range, it can not. It may have an external control system with a wireless link. Beyond this range the robot will be lobotomized. It may require markers for navigation, to indicate regions that are not to be entered, or to identify features in its environment. It may require a special charger to keep it supplied with energy. If it goes to a point beyond that which it no longer has power to return to this charger it is stranded without help. How big this range can be a single room, to even a city.
Rover: This robot lacks the requirements of a ranged robot. Its power typically come from solar, extra long life energy cell, or it may use commonly non-robotic specific sources such as standard outlets, fuel for cells, some even(squick) are being devised that can eat. For navigating they may use gps, or use their own mapping software and their environment'ss own features. They typically have sophisticated sensors such as cameras, laser scanners, and radar and must deal with more complicated environments. They also have their own control system on board, as they may well be either to far for a real time data link(such as another planet), or in an environment that makes such a link difficult or impossible(underwater).
J5: This type could be considered as human(squick) equivalent in at least its basic capabilities. Has at minimum two articulated arms, dexterous end effectors, sophisticated sensor systems, and control system. At most its resemblance to a human is waist up. Waist down they do not posses a bipedal locomotion system. The S.A.I.N.T.S. are a good example of these.
Mechanoid: Basic human shape, dual legs, usually dual arms(rarely more). This robots machine nature is very apparent. Often used in human style environments. CP30 is a good example of this. Futurama robots also count.
Synthenoid: This robot is made internationally to resemble a human(big squick). They have realistic skin, they may appear to breath, blink, have pulse. So many anime robots, and Data are examples.
Roboblock: Modules that each contain power,control,sensor, and actuators that connect to each other in various configurations. Replicators, Cubix are these type.
Mechamal: Like the mechanoid but made to look resemble a mechanical animal(Zoids).
Synthemal: Realistically animal looking(Chomps).
Mechaflora: Mechanical plant. Quite rare. examples include Bush Bots and Cybug Sunflowers.
Syntheplant: Looks like a real living plant.
Now that is all out of the way, it is now time to rate robots based on well designed features and not bowing to the wrong side of the uncanny Vally. Those deemed to be a good robot will be given a logic 1. Those determined to be a bad robot will be given a logical 0.
This Month We Review from the hit 1963-1989 and the meh 2005-2012 series of Doctor Who, the Dalek.
The Daleks are a race created on planet Scaro by the Kaled scientist Davros. They believe in their absolute supremicity over all others and hate all non Daleks to the point of EX TERM I NATE ING them all. Though they may keep some around to use first. Working from top to bottom there is a 360 head, with twin luminosity dischargers and a tilting telescopic eyepiece enabling vision that is often its most used vulnerable place. Under that is the midsection which also has 360 rotation, a verstile plunger set in a ball socket and telescopic was at the right front end. It is hydrualically actuated, using pnuematic suction, as well as the plunger being able to conform to a degree to objects allowing very heavy objects to be manipulated. It may also use this to interface with computers, read minds, and crush skulls. Versions have been seen with a syringers or mechanical claws with a blow tourch for cutting materials that are impervious to their "death rays" instead of the plunger. Daleks protecting their emporer may have this replaced with a death ray sensor arm. In the left front side also set inside in a ball socket was the gun stick. The Dalek's primary weapon. Powerful enough to destroy renegade Daleks but gentle enough to provide encouragements to hostages. May be replaced with a flame thrower for vegetation, or a machine gun for environments unsuitable for energy weapons. Finally their base contain their power supply and an omnidirectional drive that even allows it to fly. They even been known to travel through time. The are armored with Dalekanium and forcefields. Note many variations in color, shape, and mobility have been detected as well as other accessories to the mid section appendages. Note all Daleks have access to vast military data and have the capacity to be genuises. So there you have it. This is the most feared robot in all the universe.
This is a Dalek. An icky biological organism. Once their kind were humanoid but radiation and manipulation have improved their appearences. Their dependency on their Mark III travel machine, may even qualify them as cyborgs. A big improvment, but they are still icky squishy organic, biological organisms, therefore they are NOT BOTS. Fortunately those with even a passing interest in Doctor Who know this. Instead it is only those involved in various media that are too lazy to do proper research that call them this.
This concludes Tachi's Robot Review.