A robot is a physical machine designed to sense, process information and act in the world, while an autonomous technology is a system that performs some tasks with a degree of independence from direct human control. The categories overlap, so an autonomous drone can also be classified as a robot.
This distinction is part of IB Digital Society topic 3.7 Robots and autonomous technologies, which is shared by SL and HL.
| Feature | Robot | Autonomous technology, such as a drone |
|---|---|---|
| Physical form | Has an embodied, physical form that interacts with its environment | May be a physical device or part of a wider digital system |
| Main characteristic | Uses sensory input, processing and physical action to perform tasks | Operates with some independence by responding to data without continuous human direction |
| Human control | Can be fully controlled, partly automated or autonomous | Requires some capacity to select or perform actions without constant control |
| Example | A factory robot repeating movements programmed by a worker | A drone using sensors and navigation software to adjust its route automatically |
A remotely piloted drone is not fully autonomous because a human controls its movements. However, a drone that uses cameras, GPS, sensors and algorithms to navigate around obstacles or follow a planned route demonstrates autonomy. It senses its environment, processes data and acts physically, so it can also be described as a robot.
The common misconception is that every robot is autonomous. This is incorrect: an industrial robotic arm may repeat fixed instructions without making independent adjustments. Similarly, autonomy exists by degree rather than as a simple yes-or-no property.
In an IB exam, define both terms before applying them to the example. For an explain question, identify the drone's sensory input, processing and action, then show how reduced dependence on direct human control gives it autonomy. Avoid claiming that the system “thinks” like a human; describe how its programmed algorithms process data and produce actions.
