What are the differences between robots, cyborgs and androids?

The terms **robots**, **cyborgs**, and **androids** all refer to entities with mechanical or electronic components, but they have distinct meanings and characteristics:

### 1. **Robots**

- **Definition**: Robots are fully mechanical or electronic devices designed to perform specific tasks, either autonomously or under human control. They do not have biological components.

- **Key Characteristics**:

  - Can be programmed to carry out repetitive or complex tasks.

  - Often used in industrial, military, medical, and domestic settings.

  - Typically non-human in appearance (e.g., robotic arms, drones, factory machines).

- **Example**: Factory assembly-line robots, drones, Roomba vacuum cleaners.

### 2. **Cyborgs**

- **Definition**: Cyborgs (short for "cybernetic organisms") are beings that are a combination of biological and mechanical/electronic parts. A cyborg integrates organic body parts (typically human or animal) with artificial, mechanical enhancements.

- **Key Characteristics**:

  - The biological entity is augmented by technology, which could enhance physical or mental capabilities.

  - Often involves prosthetic limbs, brain-computer interfaces, or implants.

  - The term is often used in sci-fi but also applies to real-world humans with advanced prosthetics or implants.

- **Example**: A person with a robotic prosthetic limb or a pacemaker.

### 3. **Androids**

- **Definition**: Androids are robots designed to closely resemble humans, both in appearance and behavior. They are often depicted as human-like machines that can walk, talk, and potentially mimic human emotions.

- **Key Characteristics**:

  - Have a human-like appearance (e.g., face, limbs, skin).

  - Designed to perform human-like tasks and possibly interact socially.

  - May have artificial intelligence to simulate human behaviors or decision-making.

- **Example**: Fictional characters like Data from *Star Trek* or humanoid robots in movies like *Ex Machina*.

### Summary:

- **Robots**: Fully mechanical, perform tasks, non-human in appearance.

- **Cyborgs**: Organic beings with mechanical/electronic enhancements.

- **Androids**: Human-like robots, typically designed to mimic human appearance