Skip to main content
Back to Show
NOVA

Rise of the Robots Preview

Machines are everywhere. They run our factory assembly lines and make our coffee. But humanoid robots—machines with human-like capabilities—have long been the stuff of science fiction. Until now. Fueled by an ambitious DARPA challenge, the race is on to design a robot that can replace humans in disaster relief situations. Follow the robots and the engineers that program them.

Support Provided By
Season
NOVA Season 51
53:40
From electric flight to artificial noses, engineers are finding new ways to preserve our planet.
Building Stuff: Reach It!
53:40
Humans are born to roam. See how engineers are inventing new ways to explore and extend our range.
Building Stuff: Boost It!
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:40
Is engineering humanity’s superpower? See how we can amplify our natural abilities in amazing ways.
Decoding the Universe: Quantum
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:40
Dive into the universe at the tiniest – and weirdest – of scales.
Solar System: Wandering Worlds
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:34
Meet the surprising, oddball worlds moving around our solar system.
Solar System: Icy Worlds
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:34
Visit strange, frozen worlds to discover the bizarre ice that forms beyond Earth.
Solar System: Volcano Worlds
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:34
Discover the powerful volcanic eruptions that have shaped worlds across our solar system.
Solar System: Strange Worlds
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:34
What are the weirdest worlds in our solar system, and how did they come to be?
Solar System: Storm Worlds
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:34
Discover the dramatic forces creating spectacular weather on neighboring planets and moons.
Decoding the Universe: Cosmos
53:38
Explore big discoveries that have revolutionized our understanding of the universe.
Secrets in Your Data
53:40
Find out who’s using your data and what you can do about it.
Great American Eclipse
53:34
Explore the spectacular cosmic phenomenon of a total solar eclipse.
Active loading indicator