Robots are now made for a large number of purposes-spanning across industrial, medical, military and entertainment realms. The Czechoslovakian playwright Karel Capek first introduced the term "robot" in 1920 for his play R.U.R.(1) Here are some online resources which show off some of the surprising variety of forms and styles of current and vintage robots:

• Acroname Robotics Gallery(2)
• Android World(3)
• Robot Gallery
• Japanese Toy Robots

Pictured is 'Pulsar' a human-sized 'techno-mascot' made by International Robotics.

1. http://trueforce.com/images/Robot_History_Images/rur.jpg
2. http://www.acroname.com/robotics/gallery/gallery.html
3. http://www.androidworld.com/