Robotics Research

Applications: Service Robotics

Service robots work in indoor environments performing tasks considered too boring, repetitive or otherwise unsuitable for humans. In order to fulfil this role they need strong perception, world modelling, navigation, control and learning abilities. Service robots generally operate in a structured environment that simplifies the locomotion and perception problems, and frequently operate with a high degree of human-robot interaction.

Such robots must operate safely and reliably, and in many ways should be transparent to the end user. Service robots must also be cost effective. Examples of successful applications of service robotics include automated cleaning, maintenance, surveillance, small-scale transportation and distribution (e.g. documents, material in clean rooms), hospitality, etc.

Service Robotics Research in Australia

• Adel Al-Jumaily from the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) has been involved in a number of projects related to service robotics including the automation of household equipment and a fire-fighting robot.
• James Trevelyan from the University of Western Australia (UWA) has successfully developed a robotic device which holds sheep during shearing, greatly reducing the strain on the shearer and reducing the risk of injury.

• 

  The robot sheep shearing device developed at the University of Western Australia.

• Claude Sammut at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) is supervising a project to develop a robot able to act as an intelligent tour guide for applications in museums.