As there is no general binding definition of
robot,
robots are often defined according to the field of specialization they are supposed to work in. For example, the traditional definition of the German Society of Engineers (VDI) is oriented toward manufacturing
robots in the industry: “A
robot is a free and re-programmable multifunctional manipulator with at least three independent axes, to move materials, parts, tools, or special machines on programmed, variable tracks to accomplish various tasks” (quoted in Christaller et al., 2001, p. 18; translated by M. Nagenborg). With regard to service
robots the definition of
robots changes enormously: “A
robot which operates semi or fully autonomously to perform services useful to the well being of humans and equipment, excluding manufacturing operations. Classification: Servicing humans (personal safeguarding, entertainment etc.), Servicing equipment (maintenance, repair, cleaning, etc.), Others performing an autonomous function (surveillance, transport, data acquisition, etc.) or service
robots that can not be classified in the above two groups. (International Federation of
Robotics, 2005) Including professional as well as personal service
robots Christaller et al. redefine the term
robot in the following way: “
Robots are sensomotoric machines for the extension of human capability. They are made of mechatronic components, sensors, and computer-based control and steering functions. The complexity of a
robot makes it clearly different from other machines, due to bigger number of levels of freedom and the variety and extent of its ways of behaviour“ (Christaller et al., 2001, p. 19; translated by J. Weber).
Learn more in:
Human-Robot Interaction