Robot assistants: Applications and evolution

Service robots are machines designed to work not only for human beings (like the industrial robot) but also with human beings. In addition to challenging technical problems, the application of service robots in real-life situations requires to address intriguing issues concerning their interactions with humans. We are investigating both types of problems with reference to three different case studies and real research projects: a mobile robot system primarily aimed at the assistance of patients in hospitals and institutions (the ''URMAD'' project); a mobile robot system for the assistance to the disabled and the elderly at home (the ''MOVAID'' project); and a wheelchair incorporating a robot arm (the ''IMMEDIATE'' project). The paper discusses the design of the three robotic systems as well as their practical implementation and preliminary experimental results. Finally, the paper addresses recent results which could lead to the implementation of cybernetic prostheses, that is devices which would ultimately allow to achieve real intimate physical symbiosis between human beings and artificial robotic devices.