The Remote Control has been making things easier for years. However, what does it really do? How do we use them in everyday life? What’s the difference between Radio Remote Controls and Light Remote Controls?Remote controls are a developing technology, just like any other. Introduced years ago, the remote control is most commonly used to change the channel on our televisions. However, how will they change in the future? Also, will our uses for them change?
“A remote control is a component of an electronics device, most commonly a television set, used for operating the device wirelessly from a short line-of-sight distance” (Wikipedia.org 2010).Remote Controls have many uses, the most common of which are changing our television stations (light), and operating toys (radio).
In the videogame industry, remote controllers with cords are out, and wireless is the normal way of production. Third generation gaming consoles such as XBOX 360, PlayStation 3, or the Nintendo Wii, come with wireless radio remote controllers. They also may come with wires and rechargeable batteries, but those cords are temporary. Most controllers manufactured used infrared technology, but third-party controllers use radio links, and are cheaper too. (Wikipedia.org)Remote controlled toys are one of the most common uses of radio remote controllers. According to howstuffworks.com, remote controlled toys (most commonly vehicles of some sort) may differ, but they have 4 basic parts. Remote controllers have a wide variety of uses. From the military to home videogame consoles, radio remote controllers are being used worldwide in everyday situations. Remote controllers have been used in the military since World War I, where they were employed by the German Navy to drive boats from shore. They are being used today in Iraq and Afghanistan by terrorists for roadside bombs, also known as IEDs, or improvised explosive devices. (Wikipedia.org 2010)Although not entirely practical, radio remote controllers are being used for space exploration also. Due to delay times at greater distances, they are not often used, but have been known for their use in the Russian Lunokhod missions. (Wikipedia.org)
Remote controllers are a very convenient tool used in everyday life; but what is the difference between a radio remote controller and a remote that sends signals using lights? “Instead of sending out light signals, an RF remote transmits radio waves that correspond to the binary command for the button you’re pushing” (Howstuffworks.com 2008). Common remote controllers used in households everywhere are usually of the light variety. Controllers for TVs and radios used at home use lights and receiving sensors to operate. Some controllers, such as garage door openers and remote controlled toys, use radio waves and receivers. Remote controllers and radio frequencies are technological advances in their own right. However, as proven before, some of the best new ideas are combined technologies. Radio remote controllers have been around for several years, and can be found in local stores and on websites.
There is a transmitter, a receiver, a motor, and a power source. The most relevant of these are the transmitter and the receiver which send and receive radio signals respectively. The transmitter is in the controller, which operates the toy. The receiver is in the toy, gathering and translating the radio signal, and following your direction. The motor is what makes everything work. It is responsible for steering and acceleration. The power source is obviously an important part. Most toys come with rechargeable batteries and a charger cord. In some remote controlled toys, such as a plane, a boat, or a blimp, the radio remote controller is used for guidance while another power source is used for the actual movement of the toy. For example, a sailboat will rely on the wind for power, but a remote controller will guide the boat with a rudder. (howstuffworks.com)
Remote controls have many uses and have been a great technological advance. They are used in common situations in everyday life. They are also used on grander scales from the military to space. However, where do we go from here? Remote controllers are still developing, and new uses are being found for them every day. Their use in space and the military is being heavily experimented with. Unmanned aircraft are going on reconnaissance missions in warring countries and to uninhabited planets. Also, a whole new (but related) technology is being born from the Radio Remote Control: RFID, or Radio Frequency Identity.
Radio remote controllers are also being used in the world of industry worldwide. The most common form of radio control is RFID, or radio frequency identity. RFID technology uses a tag that has a radio wave identity and a reader that identifies it. These are commonly used with the storage of products and also automated vehicles. Another use for radio frequency identity is a process commonly called “chipping”. This technology is the process of implanting an RFID tag in a pet or even a person. An RFID scanner can then be used to locate and identify the chip, and also the object being sought.
There have been rumors that RFID chips will be used in place of UPCs for sale items, but the technology is still being tested and has yet to be applied. RFID chips are convenient because of their identity and extremely small size.
