It's not easy to define what robots are, and it's not easy to categorize them either. Each robot has its own unique features, and as a whole, robots vary hugely in size, shape, and capabilities. Still, many robots share some common attributes, making it possible to group them together. Here are 18 categories for classifying robots.
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Photo: Festo
Photo: AeroVironment
Photo: NASA
Aerospace robots is a diverse category that includes robots that fly and robots for space applications. The SmartBird robotic seagull and the Raven fixed-wing drone are examples of flying robots. They are used to get a bird's-eye view and capture images of a particular location. Examples of space robots include the Curiosity and Perseverance Mars rovers, and the Ingenuity Mars helicopter. There are also humanoids like NASA's Robonaut and GITAI's G1, which may one day help build future orbiting stations and moon bases.
Photo: Saildrone
Photo: Tokyo Institute of Technology
Photo: Ken Kiefer
Aquatic robots aren't afraid of getting wet. They are used to gather environmental data about the world's oceans, perform surveillance missions, and inspect and repair infrastructure. Some of them float on the surface of water, while others dive to extreme depths. Aquatic robots include uncrewed vehicles like Saildrone, long-duration ocean robots like Wave Glider, amphibian systems like the ACM-R5H snakebot and the Aqua hexapod, and deep-sea submersibles like Aquanaut.
Photo: Carnegie Mellon University
Photo: Google
Photo: Waymo
Autonomous vehicles are robotic cars equipped with cameras, lidar, GPS, computers, and other sensing and navigation systems that enable them to drive fully autonomously. Early models include Boss and Stanley, built for DARPA's autonomous-vehicle competitions, and also Google's pioneering self-driving car, later spun out to form Waymo. In the United States, an increasing number of robotaxis, which passengers can hail using an app, are now operating in cities like Phoenix, Ariz., and San Francisco. There are also startups like Locomation developing fully autonomous trucks.
Photo: iRobot
Photo: Sony
Photo: Groove X
Consumer robots are robots you can buy and use just for fun or to help you with tasks and chores. One of the most famous consumer robots is Roomba, which vacuums your floor autonomously. Other examples include the garden weeding robot Tertill, mechanical pets like Sony's Aibo robot dog, and AI-powered companions like LOVOT and Vector. Consumer robots also include a growing variety of camera drones, 3D printers, and robotic toys and kits for both beginners (like Lego sets) and advanced users (like TurtleBot).
Photo: Starship Technologies
Photo: Relay Robotics
Photo: Zipline
Delivery robots transport items like food, groceries, and medical supplies from one point to another. They use cameras, GPS, and other sensors to travel autonomously, carrying their cargo in secure compartments. Starship robots drive on streets and sidewalks to bring packages to people's homes. Relay navigates hallways and even elevators to deliver toiletries and room service to hotel guests. Another example is Zipline, whose drones fly all by themselves to distribute blood and other provisions to hospitals.
Photo: The Yomiuri Shimbun/AP
Photo: Flyability
Photo: Chiba Institute of Technology
Disaster response robots perform dangerous jobs like searching for survivors in the aftermath of an emergency. These robots are rugged and can withstand high temperatures, moisture, dirt, and debris, and some are even radiation-proof. In , after an earthquake and tsunami struck Japan, first responders deployed robots like PackBot, Kobra, and Quince to inspect hazardous areas. In addition to ground robots, aerial robots are also used in disaster relief. Regular drones can conduct search missions from high altitudes, and specialized drones like Elios can fly inside structures where it's too dangerous for people to go.
Photo: DJI
Photo: Parrot
Photo: Northrop Grumman
Drones are flying robots that let you capture data and images from an elevated vantage point. Drones come in a variety of sizes and shapes. A common design, which uses four rotors to fly, is called a quadrotor or quadcopter. Other drones fly like small planes and are known as fixed-wing models. Drones also have different levels of autonomy. Some need to be operated manually via remote control, while others fly partially or fully autonomously. The most popular consumer drone is a quadrotor: DJI's Phantom, used for aerial photography. The Phantom and other advanced drones, like Anafi and Skydio, feature autonomous flight plans to film you from different angles, and they can even track you as you move. The drones category also includes military drones, known as unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, such as Global Hawk, which is used for long-duration surveillance.
Photo: Lego
Photo: MakerBot
Photo: EMYS
Educational robots include a variety of hands-on robotics modules and kits. You can find them in classrooms, STEM programs, and homes. Popular models include programmable robots like Cubelets, Dash and Dot, and Root. These robots use movement, lights, and sound to help students learn problem-solving and coding skills. The educational category also includes robotics sets from Lego, 3D printers like MakerBot, and even teacher robots like EMYS.
Photo: Engineered Arts
Photo: Kent Phillips/Disney
Photo: Toyota
Entertainment robots are designed to evoke an emotional response. They make us laugh, or feel surprise, or wonder. Among them are robot comedian RoboThespian, Disney's theme park animatronic character Na'vi Shaman, and musically inclined bots like Partner. Flying robots are also used in entertainment, like the Lucie microdrones that execute aerial light shows, floating on stage above the performers' heads. And sometimes, the robot itself is the main attraction: Consider the Telegarden, a work of art experimenting with robotics&#;and gardening.
Photo: Gabriela Hasbun
Photo: Sarcos
Photo: Cyberdyne
Exoskeletons are wearable robotic suits equipped with electric motors that help move the user's body. Some powered exoskeletons can even give the wearer superhuman strength. They work using sensors that detect when the user wants to move&#;to get up or walk, for example. The suit then activates the motors in a way that enables the desired motion. There are lower-body exoskeletons for helping with a user's legs, upper-body models for the arms, and full-body suits for both legs and arms. Exoskeletons can be used for physical rehabilitation and can enable a paralyzed patient to walk again, like the Ekso and HAL robot suits. Some exoskeletons, like the Guardian XO, have industrial applications, by giving the wearer added mobility, endurance, or the capacity to carry heavy loads.
Many roboticists say they became interested in the field after seeing a movie like Stars Wars. That was the case with UCLA mechanical and aerospace engineering professor Dennis Hong, who remembers being captivated by R2-D2 and C-3PO. The robots sparked in him an interest in robot locomotion and human-robot interaction, which are themes he explores today in his lab at UCLA.
Dennis Hong
Professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at UCLA
Photo: Honda
Photo: Osaka University/ATR/Kokoro
Photo: Henrik Sorenson
Humanoid robots have&#;a mechanical&#;body&#;with&#;arms,&#;legs,&#;and a head like that of a person's, and they can often walk and manipulate objects much like we do. The robot's&#;body&#;typically&#;has&#;a&#;machine-like&#;appearance,&#;as is the case with humanoids like the friendly robot ambassador Asimo from Honda and the athletic, agile Atlas from Boston Dynamics. But&#;humanoids&#;can&#;also&#;have&#;a&#;human-like&#;appearance. Examples include the Geminoid family of robots, which resemble real people. Humanoids, more than any other category of robots, have captured people's imaginations. But while they are popular in science fiction, they remain confined to research labs, and the dream of humanoids living among us is still a distant reality.
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Photo: Amazon Robotics
Photo: ABB
Industrial robots perform repetitive tasks like picking, moving, and assembling parts, plus cutting, welding, painting, polishing, packaging, and other jobs typically found in manufacturing. A common type of industrial robot consists of a manipulator arm that moves fast and precisely. An example is the Unimate, the grandfather of all factory robots. Kuka's Titan is the world's strongest robot arm, and Omron's Quattro is one of the fastest. There are also collaborative robots, or cobots, like ABB's YuMi and the UR series from Universal Robots, which are safe to operate alongside human workers. In addition to manipulators, the industrial category has been expanding to include warehouse robots like Amazon's Proteus, inspection quadrupeds like Spot and ANYmal, and even humanoids like Digit. Industrial robots are among the most common type of robot in existence. They are used in industries like automotive, electronics, machinery, plastics, chemicals, food, and others. According to one estimate, there are 3.5 million industrial robots in operation today.
Photo: Intuitive Surgical
Photo: Ed Whitman/JHUAPL
Photo: IBM
Medical robots are a broad category of robotic systems designed to assist people in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and in some cases, at home. One example of a medical robot is the da Vinci surgical system, designed to be teleoperated by a physician during minimally invasive procedures. Other examples include bionic prostheses like the Johns Hopkins' MPL, powered exoskeletons like HAL and Ekso, and the robotic wheelchair iBot. There are also therapeutic robots to help children with autism, like QTrobot, and humanoids designed to assist the elderly, like Toyota's HSR. A system that may fit in this category but is not a robot is IBM's Watson, the victorious Jeopardy! supercomputer, which has been used in health-care applications.
Photo: Teledyne FLIR
Photo: Boston Dynamics
Photo: Cobalt Robotics
Military and security robots include a broad range of tough, rugged robotic systems that can perform surveillance and other missions that may be dangerous for humans to carry out. During the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. troops used PackBot ground robots to search for improvised explosive devices, and they flew Raven drones for aerial reconnaissance. To help with logistics, the military has tested legged robots like BigDog and AlphaDog, designed to haul heavy gear, as well as autonomous uncrewed helicopters that can deliver cargo autonomously. Security robots include mobile systems that patrol offices and other private property. One example is Cobalt, which doubles as a robot receptionist and security guard.
Photo: Agility Robotics
Photo: KIT
Photo: Rob Felt/Georgia Tech
Research robots are experimental machines born in universities and corporate research labs. Though these robots may be able to do useful things, and some may fit other robot categories, they're primarily intended to help researchers do, well, research. For example, a biped like Cassie is helping roboticists understand how energy-efficient walking can be implemented in legged machines. Armar is helping German engineers design robots that can collaborate with humans in joint manipulation tasks. Bio-inspired robots like Chico and SlothBot are teaching scientists how to borrow ideas from nature to build better environmental sensors. Sometimes research robots become commercial products, but most of the time they don't. And that's okay, because the best thing research robots can do is show people how cool robots can be.
Photo: Softbank Robotics
Photo: Shark Robotics
Photo: Hitachi
Service robots perform useful tasks like cleaning, greeting visitors, or making deliveries. Unlike industrial robots that operate in factories and warehouses, service robots work in offices, airports, museums, and shopping malls. One example is SoftBank's Whiz, a commercial-grade vacuum robot for large spaces. Another example is the Colossus firefighting robot. Service robots also include robot receptionists like Emiew. Some delivery robots, like Relay, and some security robots, like Cobalt, can also be considered service robots.
Photo: Antoine Doyen
Photo: Jibo
Photo: Anki
Social robots are designed to interact and communicate with humans, assist us with daily tasks like grocery lists and calendar events or simply keep us company and make us smile. They do that through voice, sounds, light, screens, or an expressive face or body. In recent years, have been several attempts at commercializing social robots. These projects include Pepper, Jibo, Kuri, and Vector. However, commercial success remains elusive. The latest crop of social robots seem to lose their appeal after the novelty wears off. And they've failed to show useful, unique functionalities that can't be accomplished by a smartphone app or an AI chatbot. Still, social robotics remains a very active area of research, so expect more friendly droids to emerge from labs around the world.
Photo: Randi Klett
Photo: InTouch Health/iRobot
Photo: NYC Product Photography
Telepresence robots allow you to be present at a place without actually going there. You log on to a robot avatar via the Internet and drive it around, seeing what it sees, hearing what it hears, and talking with people you encounter in meetings&#;or at the water cooler. Workers can use telepresence robots to collaborate with colleagues at a distant office, and doctors can use them to check on patients. Examples of telepresence robots include QB, Vita, Ava, Beam, and Temi.
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As technology continues to evolve in the 21st century, home robots are getting more accessible and affordable. They are designed to automate repetitive tasks, perform a range of tasks from cleaning and maintenance to security and surveillance, entertainment and companionship, healthcare and personal care.
With advanced technology, they allow users to live more efficiently and freeing up more time for meaningful things, enhancing quality of life in general. So why wouldn&#;t we want to replace more household devices with robots? Find out more about this trend and 7 top-rated home robots that can make your life easier.
What is home robot? According to the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), the global community for engineering, computing and technology, smart home robots, or consumer robots, are &#;robots you can buy and use just for fun or to help you with tasks and chores.&#;. In short, they are essentially advanced machines made to perform specific tasks within the household, with little or no human interference. Modern house robots are equipped with sensors, cameras and advanced algorithms powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that allow them to navigate and interact with the environment.
Household robots can execute tasks with precision and efficiency thanks to their ability to perceive and learn the surroundings, and adapt to changing environments. Most robots have their own interface, which can be paired with user-friendly mobile apps or smart home systems that allow users to monitor and control them. Voice command is also a popular way to interact with these robots. By handling the functional tasks in the household, house robots not only can help you check off more boxes on the never-ending chore list, but also significantly improve your quality of life.
Explore the diverse roles that domestic robots can play in different areas of the house.
When it comes to home robots, the first thing that comes to mind is robots that clean. Robotic vacuum cleaners were first introduced in this category, followed by other cleaning robots such as window, grill and pool robot cleaners. Their advanced sensors and cameras allow them to navigate and learn the environment accurately, then give information to their &#;brain&#; to plan the most efficient cleaning routes. Together with powerful features like strong suction power, these cleaning robots can initiate the cleaning process without human interference.
The high-tech cameras and sensors of security and surveillance robots monitor activities inside and around the house, offering the homeowners with peace of mind. They can detect even the slightest motion and record video footage around the clock. When noticing any suspicious activity like intruders and buglers, security robots will alert the homeowners, allowing them to check the live surveillance cameras via the app and take action accordingly.
Social and companion robots revolutionize the way we interact and entertain. With innovative AI technology, these robots are able to engage in conversations, play games, tell jokes and also assist with daily tasks. For instance, education robots can tailor a study program for children with a number of activities, while companion robots provide a sense of companionship and emotional support to individuals who live alone.
Designed to address healthcare needs, healthcare robots brings tangible benefits on personal well-being. From reminding users to take medication, monitoring vital signs to providing exercise guidance, they are a convenient and smart way to keep track of your well-being in general. They are particularly useful for elderly and individuals with health conditions or disabilities.
Among the diverse range of smart home robots available on the market, we have curated a list of 7 types of house robots you must have for your home.
Cleaning the floor is the least favorite chore for many people, no wonder robotic vacuum cleaners and mops are one of the most popular home robots nowadays. Their elevated sensors and cameras allow them to navigate around the house, avoid obstacles and clean the floor without missing spots. A robot vacuum and mop combo can even do dual tasks in one clean. They require minimal interference from users, and for premium models, the paired docking station like ECOVACS&#; OMNI all-in-one station can automatically charge the smart vacuum, empty the dust bins, wash and dry the mop heads, make sure it is ready for the next clean. Users can also monitor and control the robotic vacuum cleaner remotely, and give commands via the mobile app, such as setting virtual barriers.
Clean and clear windows can bring freshness to the house. Yet, not only it is a time-consuming task, but it can also be risky especially for apartment owners that lived on high floors. It is not uncommon that people have fallen down and hurt themselves while cleaning windows. This is why robot window cleaners such as our WINBOT are getting popular these days. They can navigate windows and removing dirt, grime and fingerprint by themselves, offering streak-free results and improved the overall appearance of the house.
Whether you live alone, or you are living with children or elderly, social and companion robots are here to provide entertainment and companionship. Their advanced AI technology allows them to engage in conversations, interact with users such as playing games and play musics, respond to various commands and assist with daily tasks. This kind of robot is particularly useful in offering a sense of companionship and enhancing the independence of the elderly and individuals with disabilities who live by themselves.
If you are looking to add an extra layer of security to your household, consider getting security robots to upgrade your smart home security system. Their advanced sensors are powered by technology like facial recognition and motion detection, allowing them to detect motion and record high-definition video footage. When spotted any suspicious intruders and buglers, they can send real-time alerts to homeowners and provide live video feeds for remote monitoring, allowing the users to take prompt action to any potential threats.
Apart from detecting suspicious behaviors, security robots can also be programmed to detect other types of activities such as smoke and unusual sounds, which is significantly helpful in preventing emergencies like fires or gas leaks.
For outdoor tasks, grill and garden robots can help you keep up with maintenance. Gardening robots can automate tasks such as weeding gardens, mowing lawns and cleaning patios. On the other hand, after the barbecue party, grill robot cleaners can clean scrub and scrap the grill grate for you, saving your time and energy. Both robots are great tools that automate repetitive actions, allowing homeowners to enjoy outdoor activities without hassles.
Pool cleaning can be labor-intensive and time-consuming, therefore many people have turned to pool cleaner robots. Their sensors can precisely navigate around the pool, then diligently scrub and remove dirt, algae and debris from the walls and floors. These robots employ advanced technology and powerful suction mechanisms for a thorough clean. By maintaining the water clarity and hygiene, pool robot cleaners save time and effort for pool owners.
Education robots mainly target children, teaching codding, robotics and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) concepts in an interactive and engaging way. Unlike traditional teaching methods, they can tailor the content based on the child&#;s capability, and offer a range of activities, games and challenges that captivate young minds. Along the way, education robot can also help develop essential skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking.
As an educational tool, they play an important role in children&#;s growth and development, teaching them skills for the digital age, inspiring them to explore in STEM subjects.
When you are shopping for household robots, it is essential to check the following factors to ensure you make an informed decision, prevent overstuffing your home with unused robots and devices.
Start by analyzing your needs and budget. What kind of tasks you need the most help with? How much are you willing to spend? House robots come in a wide range of prices, therefore asking yourself these questions can help narrow down your list and select a robot with the features that solve your problem. For example, if you need a robotic vacuum cleaner, consider whether you need one that can handle carpets, hardwood floors or both.
It is always recommended to start with a few domestic robots to get yourself familiar with the operation and not get overwhelmed with all the new technology. That said, choosing a smart home ecosystem can affect the compatibility with different devices. Most household robots on the market can be paired with one or two smart home system such as Google, Amazon and Apple. Ensure the new household robots can be compatible with your existing smart home system for a seamless integration and experience.
Moreover, conduct thorough research on different brands and models to make sure you make an informed decision. Read product reviews and customer feedback for their insights on the product&#;s performance, durability and such. Compare features, prices and specifications on aspects like battery life and maintenance requirements. One other important factor is customer support. While it is crucial to always buy from reputable retailers, check if the manufacturer offers customer service, for instance, technical support and warranty coverage, in case you ever encounter any issues and require assistance.
Examples of household robots include smart vacuums, social and companion robots, security robots, robot window cleaners and educational robots.
Domestic robots automated tasks such as cleaning floors, pool cleaning, gardening, providing security and surveillance, offering companionship, assisting with healthcare needs and provide education.
Regular maintenance is highly recommended to keep your household robots at optimal performance. Cleaning the devices and updating software are necessary, and most home robots like robotic vacuum cleaners send alerts to users via the app for cleaning and replacement components.
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