Up to now, the world title for the most powerful robot had been held by KUKA's Titan for 16 months, but the recent appearance of Fanuc Robotics' M-2000iA/1,200 changed all that. Both devices have large applications in technology, industry and even entertainment.

Far from being just “muscles”, the two robots are equipped with a complex artificial intelligence system that allows them to perform complicated moves and be aware of the particularities of the object they need to manipulate, as well as of the motion associated with the actual manipulation. Both machines were initially designed for industry use, namely for positioning and lifting of heavy machinery for spot welding or assembly purposes. Titan is provided with nine engines which allow it to lift about a ton of weight (the frame of a plane or the body of a tractor) up to 13 feet (4 meters) high, performing the previous work of two averagely used synchronized robots.

Fanuc Robotics' M-2000iA/1,200 took the accomplishment even further, as it is able to elevate 2.645 pounds (1.200 kilograms) 20 feet (6 meters) high. It is provided with touch-sensitive finger-shaped grabbers and video cameras. As Fanuc Robotics' Richard Johnson explains, “We could roll a pipe across a table top, and the robot could track it, pick it up, and move it to a new location. The artificial intelligence gives the robot the ability to adapt to new environments and new situations”. The six movement axes of the robot (three for the arm and three for the hand) are the correspondent of a person's shoulder, waist, elbow, wrist and fingers, only better.

The Titan is priced between $225.000 and $230.000, while M-2000iA is roughly a few times that of a smaller model, R-2000cB - $85.000. Although it may seem too much, these safe robots are worth every penny because, in a relatively short time, they reduce other costs and increase efficiency. They could soon replace human workers in dangerous places or performing tasks, like pouring hot metal. Also, as KUKA equipped Titan with a hood, two seats and a 20-inch flat screen, the Californian Legoland's Robocoaster emerged, proving its usability in entertainment as well.