Robots that are equipped with sensors that can provide information about their surroundings.

• A. First generation robots
• B. Autonomous robots
• C. Third generation robots
• D. Second generation robots

Answer: (D)

Focusing on the capability to sense the environment marks the shift to the generation where feedback from sensors becomes part of how the robot operates. Sensors provide information about surroundings, enabling the robot to detect obstacles, measure distance, or identify features to adjust its actions. That's the defining feature of second generation robots: they move beyond fixed, pre-programmed sequences and start using perceptual input to influence behavior. First generation robots were largely limited to simple, unchanging tasks with little sensing. Third generation adds higher-level decision-making and autonomy, often with advanced AI, which goes beyond just sensing. So, describing robots with environment-sensing capabilities fits second generation best.