New AI and service robots

Abstract

A new breed of robotics more suitable for service applications than manufacturing is appearing. It focuses on autonomous operation rather than control, and is characterized by the flexible, robust, and agile nature of robots' motions. Some such robots, namely the ones called Behavior‐based robots and those robots that operate under the New AI paradigm, share principles of operation with biological systems such as animals and insects. They excel in their mobility and adaptability when allowed to operate “untethered” in the dynamic and highly non‐linear environment of the real world. Processes similar to evolution of living systems are sometimes applied to evolve the software (and occasionally hardware) of these bio‐robots to further increase their adaptability in the operational environment. Some early applications are presented.