Remarkable robot images provide a vision of the future

We have long been passionate about our own image. In the 1920s the play Universal Rossum RobotsCzech writer Karel Capek coined the term robot to describe humanoid creatures forced to work in factories. Since then, we have created many humanoid robots that can move and interact with the world in anthropomorphic ways.

Award-winning photographer Henrik Spöhler from the photo agency laif explores such endeavors in his project. Tomorrow's question. The main image above shows a metal creation created by the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics at the German Aerospace Center in Oberpfaffenhofen. A 200-pound robot named Rollin' Justin can travel long distances on wheels. Using cameras to monitor the surrounding area, it can avoid obstacles and perform tasks such as serving drinks. It could potentially be developed to assist astronauts or people with disabilities.

The image above shows the profile of Lola, a robot created by the Technical University of Munich in Germany. Standing almost 1.8 meters tall, he can walk in unfamiliar surroundings and navigate unstable terrain.

The next robot, Armar-6, shown below, is a 1.9 meter tall machine built by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany. He can talk to people and help them carry heavy loads.

The last image below is of ZAR5, a two-armed robot created at the Technical University of Berlin that can pick up and place objects with its hands.