What is an industrial robot?

• A. A fixed, non-programmable device used for repetitive tasks.
• B. A computer-controlled vehicle.
• C. A robot used only for welding tasks.
• D. A general-purpose, programmable machine possessing certain anthropomorphic characteristics.

Answer: (D)

An industrial robot is defined by being a general‑purpose, programmable machine with an arm-like structure that can be taught to perform a variety of manufacturing tasks. This is what makes it flexible and reusable across different operations—it's not tied to one job, and it can be reprogrammed or reconfigured with different end effectors to handle tasks like welding, painting, pick-and-place, or assembly.

This differs from a fixed, non-programmable device, which is designed for repetitive actions without the ability to change tasks. It also isn’t a computer-controlled vehicle, which implies mobility rather than manipulation on a fixed or mounted platform. And it isn’t a robot used only for welding; industrial robots are intended to be adaptable to many tasks, not restricted to a single function. The idea of an anthropomorphic, multi-axis arm captures the essence of an industrial robot’s capability to reach, orient, and interact with parts in diverse ways while being reprogrammable for new jobs.