Glossary of Terms

ABB Robotics are a Swedish/Swiss multinational with a market leading presence in China in the supply of combined solutions in Robotics solutions and applications along with discrete machine and factory automation solutions.

Agricultural Robotics is, as the name suggests, a specialised field (pun intended) of robotics where automated machines or robotic systems have the capacity to perform tasks on farms or in agricultural environments. They are typically focussed around harvesting and maximising yield, but advanced technologies are increasingly employed in planting and field mapping to where the trend is towards smaller and smaller autonomous machines.

Airport Robotics are a specialised field of robotic deployment whereby robots can provide traveller assistance and customer service, faster check-ins, baggage handling and cleaning capabilities, each delivered by a different type of robotic system.

AMR – Autonomous Mobile Robots are a step up from AGV’s, Autonomous Guided Vehicles, which relied on tracks, predefined mapped routes or operator intervention to complete tasks. AMR’s are not wired and rely on sensors, cameras, AI and machine learning to better understand the environment in which they operate and hence they can understand obstacles and take avoiding action to get the desired task done.

Arm means an interconnected set of links and powered joints comprising a robot articulated manipulator that supports and/or moves a wrist and hand or end-effector / tool through space. This is one of the most common iconographies used to denote robotics as an industry.

Articulation describes a jointed device, such as a jointed robotic manipulator or Arm. The joints provide rotation about a vertical axis, and elevation from an horizontal plane. Full articulation allows a robot to be dextrous and able to reach into even tight spaces, like a human but with potentially added strength and without risk of personal harm.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) describes technology to create intelligent machines and systems that can perform human-like tasks and / or decision making. Robots and robotic systems increasingly use this technology too.

Assembly Robots are designed specifically for matching, fitting, or otherwise assembling various parts or components into completed products, typically on an assembly line or in a self-contained robot Pod assembly unit containing one or more manipulators.

Assisted Living Robots are utilised in a social care setting and can help staff do more by helping deliver meals, carry back dirty dishes, remind residents to drink, entertain them socially, and help with cleaning and sanitation.

Autonomous describes a robot that can operate without human intervention once it has been commissioned.

Aubo Robotics is a Chinese specialist in the production of Collaborative Robots made for human centric agile manufacturing.

Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGV) – See AMR for the latest iteration of guided vehicles but freed from the constraints of power & network cables or tracks. The older AGV’s have been traditionally deployed in environments such as vehicle production or more recently, food distribution. Robotic systems are increasingly likely to adopt AMR technologies instead.

Base Station is the firm and robust platform on which an industrial robotic arm is attached or to which a mobile robot returns for charging and updates.

Beltrao Coelho are a broad based Portuguese technology developer for the retail and business sectors. They have recently introduced a range of Service Robots.

Bespoke Automation is the process of matching clients bespoke delivery needs with the wide array of robotic and autonomous systems that are now available to create a tailored solution.

Boston Dynamics is an American engineering and robotics design company founded in 1992 as a spin-off from MIT, it is part owned by Hyundai & Softbank, and has developed a series of dynamic highly-mobile robots, including BigDog, Spot, Atlas, and Handle.

Business Assistance Robots are any form of autonomous process which can remove or reduce the need for one-to-one physical engagement with employees or customers. Assistance can therefore take the form of robotic arms helping with production, picking, packing or delivery through to AI driven systems removing repetitive tasks from workflow or customer communication processes.

Carousel is a platform, often rotating, which feeds objects to a Robotic solution enabling a queuing system pre or post production.

Cartesian Coordinates are not dissimilar to map co-ordinates and instruct robot systems as to a precise location in either two or three dimensions. Accordingly, Cartesian Prismatic Joints enable a robot arm to move in one or more of the three-axis in a X, Y, Z coordinate system, making them comparable to a human arm in many respects.

Category 3 (Cat3) represents a high level of safety built into the robot control system such that single faults will not circumnavigate necessary safety standards to the robot or users.

Cenobots is a Singapore based specialistic Robotic Cleaning company founded in 2021 and trading under the brand Cenozoic Robotics.

Circular Motion Type is the maximum path a robot arm can execute from a fixed point.

CKF are a large Gloucester based UK robotics, automation and palletising systems supplier.

Cleaning Robots are fully or semi-autonomous robotic machines designed specifically with cleaning in mind, this generally includes vacuuming, polishing or stain removal from floors. These solutions can be deployed on tiles, other hard floors or carpets and can be used in confined spaces such as hotel or ship corridors or large auditoriums in airports, conference & shopping centres and schools.

Clamp is one kind of end effector or arm end that with sensors controls a robots ability to grasp and release items appropriately without causing damage.

Cobotics is a term used particularly within the commercial cleaning sector to describe a class or robots which can undertake large space cleaning such as vacuuming and scrubbing in lobbies/reception areas and on occasion specialist robots designed for areas like long corridors or escalators. This type of robot often features elements to partially humanise it, such as s smiley face but not typically manipulator arms. They are described as Cobotics as they can be taught routes by operators on site, in some cases being non-humanoid ride-on machines.

Cobots or Collaborative Robots are intended for direct human-robot interface in a shared workspace or in close proximity as distinct from traditional industrial robots which whilst in operation are completely isolated from humans for safety reasons.

Collaborative Robots work alongside operators within a set of pre-defined parameters plus a training mode, beyond which they either start or stop to work, enabling safety and speed.

Commercial bots are heavy duty machines with long life spans planned, and hence they are expensive Capital equipment purchases used by manufacturing industry (typically with manipulator arms), in communication areas (typically these are more kiosk like), or in a cleaning or customer service environment such as a hotel, office or restaurant.

Compliance is the extent to which a robot can cope and adapt when coming up against a barrier or some other kind of stress and the extent to which the unexpected stops it working to achieve its intended task.

Computer Aided Design (CAD) is typically the computer interface through which industrial robots are given their instructions to enable accurate reproduction of whatever is being built. In other words it is a way of painting a picture for a robotic system of the world around it.

Configuration is the process of creating start and end positions for the robots actions. Many configurations may be encoded but typically they will be performed in sequence.

Construction Robots are specifically designed for use in the building industry for either dangerous tasks such as excavation or heavy lifting, or very precise tasks such as brick/block laying, painting or plastering where quality and speed can be improved upon.

Continuous Path enables precise mapping of a robots movement as distinct from a simple A to B instruction – it is important in navigating obstacles or mapping services such as gluing, spraying etc.

Control Device is a hardware or software interface which enables human intervention in the operation of a robot or robotised system – typical uses are Start, Stop & Emergency buttons.

Controller Systems are the means in which data and instructions are fed into the Robot. They can contain programs, data, algorithms; logic analysis, and various other processing activities, which enable it to perform with consistency and safety.

Cycle is a common term also with household appliances such as washing machines and is the period taken by the robot to complete a full set of instructions.

Demmeler are a long established German manufacturers of machine tools and more recently, specialist housing for industrial cobots.

Dobot is a brand name of robotic arms used in industry and education.

Domestic bots are most typically small round dinner plate sized robotic vacuum cleaners used to sweep around the home on carpets or hard floors in a pre-programmed or random pattern and with the potential to return to base for charging. Commercial versions can also return to base for emptying and take on more difficult tasks such as low water or steam scrubbing. Similar robotic devices are also increasingly being used in gardens to autonomously cut the grass with a defined area. Humanoid style robots are yet to really make their mark in a domestic setting.

Doosan Robotics are part of South Korean conglomerate Doosan, and specialists primarily in clever collaborative robots for the food and retail industry such as pod based baristas, fast food chefs and servers.

DoubleRobotics.com is the business behind Double 3, a self-driving, two-wheeled videoconferencing robot that revolutionizes the way you work or learn remotely by creating a physical presence in hybrid offices and classrooms using remote working.

Downtime is the period of time required between functions, e.g. for repair or charging and is also used in robotics along with other industrial processes.

Drop Delivery uses a chute or gravity fed container to feed objects to a Robot or remove them after a task has been completed, simplifying the need for additional items like conveyers.

Ecovacs.com is quite possibly the oldest established Robotics company dating back to its foundation in 1998, today the company is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Ecovacs products are primarily for home use with floor (Deebot) and window cleaning (Winbot) robots now being supplemented with air-quality robots (Atmobot) and Benebot, a Business Service Assistant Robot.

Emergency Stop as the name suggests stops everything in an emergency and overrides the robots other systems by cutting power quickly.

Enabling Device is a manually operated switch which must be permanently deployed to keep the robot working – releasing the switch, like a so called dead-mans-handle on a train, stops the robot.

End-effector is the type of pirates hook chosen as a accessory or tool on the robotic arm – options include sprayers, grippers, hands, welding or glue guns, soldering irons.

ErgoCub, developed by the Italian Institute of Technology, enables physical human-robot interaction so that humanoid robots can help us with heavy tasks such as in a warehouse or healthcare setting.

Expandability is the extent to which a robot can have additional modules or instructions added, this can include larger data drives, updated operating systems, etc in mobile systems and in industrial robots, the linking together of additional Pods doing new tasks.

FANUC is a specialist factory automation company offering a range of industrial and collaborative robots

Feedback is the extent to which the robot or robotic systems can learn from their environment either in real time through sensors or by operator assistance, enabling self-correction to improve future activities.

FellowAI is a Californian based Autonomous Inventory Management company that uses AI and Robotics to deliver item control to a variety of industries.

Festo is a large German automation company based in Esslingen which produces and sells pneumatic and electrical control systems and drive technology for factories and process automation.

Food Service Robots are designed to either serve food within a restaurant environment from kitchen to table, to gather up dirty crockery for return to kitchen, or in the use of autonomous food production, such as burger flipping – thereby creating a visible retail attraction.

Force Feedback is a kind of electrical force sensor used specifically on end-effectors to monitor force and often torque applied and hence further optimise the use of the said effector.

Functional Safety Unit (FSU) is used typically in Motoman Industrial Robotic Systems but other similar systems exist. The unit provides programmable safety functions that enable collaborative operation of the robot in smaller spaces and by utilising two CPU’s run concurrently, dual safety checking is enabled.

FurhatRobotics are a Swedish company specialising in social robotics. Their Furhat robot emulates human-like expressions and advanced conversational capabilities using artificial intelligence (AI).

Gantry Robots have three degrees of operation on X, Y and Z axis system. These robots typically employ a crane system to provide up and down motion, the spool can then slide from left to right along a shaft which provides the Z axis. The whole system is then moved forward and back along tracks to cover the Y axis.

Gripper is a specific kind of end-effector that is designed for seizing and holding (ISO 8373) and “grips” an object. It is attached to the last link of the robot arm to hold an object in motorised fingers or via vacuum, magnets etc. Other types of end-effector are possible.

Hand is a specific design of robot arm end-effector which mirrors the general physical attributes of the human hand. It may or may not be designed to look like a human hand too.

Hand Guiding enables collaborative robots to be guided to a required position by a human operator using hardware on the robot or built in software. This is usually to speed operation processing or set-up times but safety considerations need to be maintained too.

Hansrobot.net are specialists in collaborative robot manipulators / arms and heavy payload autonomous distribution carriers for internal logistics. The company was established in 2017 in Shenzhen, China.

Harmonic Drive is most easily thought of as a type of gearing to convert high speed low torque operation to low speed high torque changing a robots abilities accordingly.

Harness is the phrase used to discuss a wiring loom which feeds into the robot controller.

Hazardous Motion Protection relates to systems designed to prevent unintended and / or unexpected robot motions that may cause injury to individuals or equipment, including the robot system itself.

Healthcare Robots or Medical Robots are starting to emerge in medical settings in various guises. The main types of medical robots include tele-manipulators or surgical robots, modular robots, and autonomous mobile robots which increasingly are being developed for use remotely from patients to check vital signs etc regularly.

Hold is a robotic specific phrase akin to Pause in the real-world. Here all robot movement is stopped but some power is maintained within the system for fast re-starting.

Home Position is as the name suggests the position where the robot regards as its Home or Start point. For machines that can use different end-effectors, each can have a different home position tailored to its specific function.

Home Robotics are a specific type of robot designed for use within the home, typically for cleaning, for education and communication, or within a care scenario either for companionship or to help with daily tasks for the elderly or infirm.

Hotel Robots are generally focussed on cleaning duties for example vacuuming corridors (some can relocate autonomously even using the hotel lifts) or in a customer service capacity at check-in or out, or in restaurants.

Humanizing Technologies GmbH, established in 2016 is a German developer of non-industrial robots and robotics software for the humanoid robotics industry, working with well known models such as Pepper, a semi-humanoid robot manufactured by SoftBank Robotics.

Hutech Robotics are distributors for Pudu Robotic brands such as BellaBot, HolaBot and KettyBot.

iCub robot from the Italian Institute of Technology is a humanoid robot designed to support research in embodied AI.

Ideal Lobby are a USA based robot as a service company, their main brand is Temi.

IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is one of the international trade organisations which are setting standards in Robotics, for example, in the Power generation industry.

Imperfektion is a German full-service provider for industrial automation solutions with core disciplines in hardware/software development, electronics manufacturing, electrical system design, switch cabinet construction and much more..

Industrial Cleaning Equipment Limited of Southampton, suppliers of a range of operator controlled cleaning and scrubbing machines and more recently a range of autonomous and semi-autonomous versions under the trade name of Ice-Clean.Com

Industrial Robots are generally re-programmable multifunctional manipulation devices used to move material, parts, tools or specialised devices through variable programmed activities for the performance of specific defined tasks. They will typically utilise one or more robotic arms each enabling specific tasks via end-effectors interfacing with other tools.

INFORM is an industrial robot programming language.

Input Devices are the means by which humans can interface and issue instructions to the robot or robotic system for the purposes of programming, controlling, testing and de-commissioning the robot. Devices can include keyboards, mouse, joy-sticks, push buttons, touch-screens, operator pedestals, voice commands etc.

Instruction Cycle is the time it takes for a robot controller system’s CPU cycle to decode a command or instruction before it is able to be executed by the robot. Understanding the interaction of these cycles is therefore vital when setting up complex procedures of many steps or where integration to other systems is required.

Integrators are specialist robotic experts that help create automation solutions by combining robots with other automation and control equipment to create an end-to-end solution.

Intelligent Robots can be programmed to make performance choices contingent on sensory inputs with little or no help from humans.

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) sets standards for Robotic systems such as ISO 10218 Robots and robotic devices — Safety requirements for industrial robots — Part 1: Robots. A robot specific safety specification that addresses manufacturer requirements, functionality, required safety performance, hazards, protective measures and documentation for the robot itself. Part 2: Robot systems and integration Guidance to both end users and robot integrators as it pertains to the safe design, Installation and commissioning of robot systems, as well as recommended procedures, safeguarding and information for use.

Karcher is a world renowned family owned German cleaning solutions company and a recent entrant into the small home robot vacuum cleaner market.

Killis are a janitorial products supplier offering entry level robotic solutions from £24 a day (2023)

Kinematics is the study of motion and its causes and effects within robotic systems using a combination of sensors and algorithms.

Kuka are a German industrial robotics company specialising in automated processes for the foundry and forging industry, whether  intricate light alloys or large-format steel parts. They enable safe remote handling of sand casting and die casting to permanent mould casting, handling heavy moulds and finished components.

Lionsbot International Pte Ltd is an award winning Singaporean company who are best known for a range of robotic and driver operated floor cleaners under the Lionsbot brand.

Ladle Gripper is an end-effector which acts as a scoop, typically for liquids such as molten metal under hazardous conditions.

Lasers are utilised within robots as non-contact sensors for location finding, distance calculations, surface mapping, scanning, cutting, welding etc

Linear Interpolated Motion is a method of path interpolation that commands the movement of the robot by moving each joint in a coordinated motion so that all axis arrive to the position at the same time.

Links are rigid parts of a manipulator, such as an arm, which connect adjacent joints – much like the bones in our bodies.

Load Cycle Time is a robotic and manufacturing term describing the complete end-to-end time to unload the last work piece and load the next one.

Locus Robotics are a USA based specialist in Warehouse Robotics Automation enabling distribution efficiencies in the warehousing, retail and e-commerce arenas.

Logistics Service Robots are mobile automated guided vehicles used primarily in warehouses to transport goods via preprogramed routes, thereby reducing delivery costs.

Robotics are a USA based specialist in Warehouse Robotics Automation enabling distribution efficiencies in the warehousing, retail and e-commerce arenas.

Manipulator describes the part of a robot such as the arm or end-effector which is used by the robot to move objects. It usually consists of a series of segments (jointed like an arm or sliding relative to one another) for the purpose of grasping and/or moving objects usually in several degrees of freedom.

Material Handling is the industrial terminology covering the art of transferring materials from one place to another, increasingly with the use of some level of robotic assistance.

Material Processing Robot is a specific kind of robot designed and programmed so that it can machine, cut, form or change the shape, function or properties of materials it handles between the time the materials are first grasped and the time they are released in a manufacturing process.

Mills CNC is a Leamington Spa based specialist in CNC machines, and more recently the provision of specialist collaborative Robots designed for safe operation alongside humans.

Mobile Service Bots are mobile automated robots which can follow preprogramed routes in areas such as hotel or business reception areas to provide a kiosk like customer service function, via tablet or voice activation.

Mode Switch as per safety standards on Industrial Robots, this enables three modes of operation to be selected – Teach/Manual), Play/Automatic and Remote.

Modularity is the property of flexibility built into a robot and control system by enabling separate units to be easily joined or plugged into other units, extending the range of processes that the robotic system can complete.

Motion Axis is the line defining the axis of motion either linear or rotary segment of a manipulator arm through which a robot can operate consistently.

Nao, (pronounced now) is perhaps the best known autonomous, programmable humanoid robot. Developed originally by Aldebaran Robotics, in 2004, the company was acquired by SoftBank Group in 2015 and rebranded as SoftBank Robotics.

Nilfisk are a long established cleaning brand from Denmark. Their Liberty autonomous cleaning and scrubbing machines are renowned for high coverage rates and UV options.

Off-line Programming enables new processes to be written for the robot or robotic system for later uploading into the CPU / control system – this saves downtime.

Operator is effectively the name given to the robots human boss. They are responsible for starting, monitoring and stopping the robot via whatever hardware and software interfaces have been provided, these can be remote from the robot itself enabling operation over the internet and similar medium.

Optical Encoder is a detection sensor to measure motion in relation to a fixed beam of light. It can be used for counting, identification etc versus other sensors. Proximity sensors can also be used to measure distance. They are typically used with industrial robots.

Oxa (formerly Oxbotica) is an autonomous vehicle software company, headquartered in Oxfordshire, England. The company was born out of the Oxford University Department of Engineering & Science Mobile Robotics Group RobotCar project which in 2013 was the first autonomous vehicle on UK roads.

Palletizing is a common task for Industrial Robots – stacking items such as boxes neatly onto pallets for onwards distribution.

Payload is the maximum load that the robot can manipulate in the required manner to complete its task under continuous operation.

Pendant or Teach Pendant is a hand-held input device, linked to the robotic control system, with which a robot can be programmed or moved through a small number of modes. By using teaching mode to record specific location points, the robot can be simply taught to follow a path stored into its database.

Pepper is a recognisable world renowned semi-humanoid robot manufactured by SoftBank Robotics.

Personal bots are humanoid style robots typically with limited function arms and displays that give the appearance of smiling and can be used in the home for companionship, to fetch and carry, or for education purposes. These take to make the headlines as good attention grabber stories but in reality the number of deployed robots is still relatively small compared say to commercial bots used in cleaning or domestic vacuum bots in the home setting.

Piab is a seventy year old Swedish manufacturer specialising primarily in vacuum suction and gripper arms for automation systems.

Pick and Place Cycle is the time the robot takes for its manipulator arm to pick up an object and place it in a desired location, then return to its rest position having completed its set task.

Pilz is a German based International manufacturer of safety systems for automation and manufacturing systems.

Pinch Points are places where an operator can be forcibly prevented from movement away, or physically hurt by a robot or machine.

Pitch is the rotation of the end-effector in a vertical plane around the end of the robot manipulator arm.

Playback Operation is when the taught job is played back continuously, in effect, the robot is now working autonomously as intended.

Possehl is a German industrial Group (which includes Minuteman, Powerboss and Oertzen) and are global leaders in primarily driver operated semi-autonomous scrubber cleaners and municipal technology. They also trade under the Hako.co.uk brand.

Power and Force Limiting (PFL) is a collaborative feature that allows both the operator and robot to work in proximity to one another by ensuring the robot will slow down and stop before a contact situation occurs. Functional safety and detection hardware must be enabled for this to occur for example via a Presence-sensing Safeguarding Device.

Professional bots are typically expensive machines and software used in the professions such as education, medicine or social care. They will have extensive software development needs given the complex nature of tasks undertaken or a degree of precision and safety required. They will often also be cobots working alongside humans.

Professional Service Robots are the fastest growing part of the robotics industry. They are mainly used outside of manufacturing and often assist rather than replace humans. Most have some degree of mobility and the minority with arms are not used for the heavy tasks common in industrialised robots. Typical uses are in retail, hospitality, healthcare, warehousing, fulfilment, agriculture and more recently defence, firefighting and demolition.

Programmable Logical Controller (PLC) is an industrial control system which may perform functions equivalent to a relay panel or a wired logic control system, and may be integrated into the robot control system.

Programmable Robot is a feature that allows a robot to be instructed to perform a sequence of steps and then to perform this repeatedly. It can then be reprogrammed to perform a different sequence of steps if desired.

Proven Robotics are systems integrators and partners of Softbank enabling solutions to be tailored using famous robots such as Nao and Pepper in the Middle East.

Proximity Sensors are a non-contact sensing device used to sense when objects are a short distance away, and can determine the distance of the object. Several types include: radio frequency, magnetic bridge, ultrasonic and photoelectric.

Pudu is the better known name for PudoRobotics / Shenzhen Pudu Technology Co., Ltd, a Shenzhen-based venture capital backed robotics business founded in China in 2016 and maker of BellaBot Premium Delivery Robots.

RaaS – Robots or Robotics as a Service is a subscription-style business model where robot suppliers rent robots to clients across industries from logistics and manufacturing to service and hospitality. Introducing automation tools into the workplace — like robotic vacuums in hotels or autonomous forklifts in warehouses — becomes immediately affordable with no high upfront investments needed by clients.

Reach is the volume of space which a robot’s end-effector or arm can reach in at least one orientation.

Real-time System is where the robot is capable of operating fast enough to keep pace with an operator interacting with it through a terminal device (such as a screen or keyboard) so that said operator can intervene, adjust or stop the robots operations as needed.

Reception Robots or Robot Receptionists not only offer a friendly and cost efficient alternative to human counterparts but they can seamlessly integrate into other services to provide a memorable USP. They can enable visitor badge printing, alert staff their guest has arrived, and trigger the production of a welcome beverage.

Reliability is the probability or percentage of time that a device will function without failure over a specified time period or amount of usage. Also called the robot’s uptime or the Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF).

Remanufacture capability is the ability to upgrade or modify robots to the revised and updated specifications of the manufacturer, lowering long term cost of ownership per annum.

Repeatability is the measure of how close a robotic arm can repeatedly obtain a taught position. For instance: once a manipulator is manually placed in a particular location and this location is recorded by the robot, the repeatability specifies how accurately the manipulator can return to that exact location. The degree of resolution within the robot control system typically determines this repeatability.

Retail Robots are robots specifically intended to aid retailers but the applications can vary from stock monitoring and customer service applications answering queries or guiding customers to product on the shelf. Counter service businesses are experimenting with almost industrial style robots to select and transport product from back-office to counter and others are using robotic vehicles to complete delivery to customers’ homes.

Revolute Joint are specific joints of a robot, which are capable of rotary motion.

RM Group is a Welsh based international supplier and manufacturer of a wide range of manual and automated packaging systems, Robot Palletising Systems, and high speed fill and seal lines. They pride themselves on the best after sales service and support in the industry.

Robot is defined as a re-programmable, multifunctional manipulator designed to move and action specific physical tasks or in the case of mobile robots, to perform other tasks such as communication. Common elements within all robots or robotic systems are GUI, CPU/controller, manipulator and end-effector.

Roboterly GmbH are a German robotic solutions company for public life robots. They are part of multinational repair company Sertronics.

Robotiq is a Canadian manufacturer of robotic and automation end-effector tools and sensors for use in industrial robots and cobots.

RobotLab Group are robotics solution integrators delivering turn-key solutions in most key areas, they also operate through a franchise model.

Robot Mops are a specific kind of robot designed to clean hard floors with low levels of moisture, as distinct from the more usual vacuum suction. They are also described as scrubber cleaners, with versions for both home and business and these can be fully autonomous or driver aids.

Robotnik is obviously an arch rival of Sonic the Hedgehog, it is also a Spanish robotics company, established in 2002, and specialising in the design and manufacture of mobile robots and mobile manipulators to enable goods movement.

Robotic process automation (RPA) is a specialist area of business process automation technology using software robots (bots) or Artificial Intelligence as digital workers. The robotic systems develop a task list by mirroring user behaviour through a user interface such as a GUI, they then copy the tasks, making it a lower cost system to implement.

Robot Programming Language is an interface between a human user and a robot, which relates human commands to the robot.

Robot Simulation is a method for emulating and predicting the behaviour and the operation of a robotic system based on the model (i.e.,. computer graphics) of the physical environment such as layout.

RobotTemi is an international Robots as a Service supplier based in USA and retailing products under the Temi brand.

Robot Vacuum Cleaner is the typical usage of a home robot such as Roomba, a leading brand.

Robotics is the study of the design, construction, operation and software within Robots and other robotic systems

Robotics X, part of the Tencent Group of Shenzhen, was established in 2018 to research and apply cutting-edge robotics technologies, as well as explore the connection of the virtual and physical worlds through mechatronics, perception and control technologies.

ROBOTICS24 is a Estonian B2B vertical marketplace dedicated exclusively to the world of automation and robotics

Roll means the rotation of the robot end effector in a plane perpendicular to the end of the manipulator arm.

Rotary Joint is a joint which twists, swings or bends about an axis and is a feature of many robots which have physical tasks to complete.

Rotational Motion is a robotic joint which twists, swings or bends about an axis. An example of this in nature is the elbow of a human arm.

Safety Logic Circuit is the logic circuit which monitors safety critical external devices such as light curtains within an industrial robotic set-up.

Safety Monitored Stop is a collaborative feature designed to allow safe human-robot interaction so that only when the robot ceases motion can humans safely enter the workspace. Risk Assessment should also be used to determine if any additional safeguarding is necessary to mitigate risks within the robot system.

Safety Robots is a term more commonly used to talk about safety when using or around robots, for example in an industrial setting – where any machinery is considered a risk to human health. There are however emerging examples where the robots themselves are designed explicitly to increase human safety. Early examples include remote bomb inspection / detonation robots used by armed forces and the inspection robots built for use at Chernobyl. Robots can now be used in firefighting, inspecting off-shore oil rigs and wind farms, and in a farming setting robots can apply pesticide without exposing human operators.

Sales Robots is actually a term used to describe software in Marketing, physical robots are yet to drive to sales meetings in place of humans. However AI generally is very useful in building better data within organisations to boost timely offers to clients and it is in the arena of physical presence where robots may in the future assist sales. Humans like instant answers to questions so by placing robots acting as communication kiosks in sales environments ready to answer queries or even guide customers to the required shelf space, robots will impact this area in the future.

School Robots are becoming increasingly popular thanks to initiatives trialled by Softbank Robotics using models like Nao and Pepper in actual education rather than as might be expected, facilities management and cleaning. Robotics in education is a growing field where robots help teach students by engaging with them through human-like facial features and emotion-perceiving technology. This enables them to emulate teaching assistants, personal tutors, small group leaders and peer learners. School robots have been used in STEM subjects and are gradually branching into areas like languages.

Schubert Group are a German based supplier of a full range of automation robots and handling systems.

Seiko Epson is the Japanese global printing giant parent behind Epson Robot, which started life in 1984 as the Epson Factory Automation Group. This was an internal unit tasked with improving productivity through automation. The unit began to share its expertise in high-precision small parts assembly and is now a market leader used in thousands of manufacturing facilities. For over 3 decades Epson Robots has lead the industry in small parts assembly applications and has pioneered many industry firsts, including PC-based controls and compact SCARA robots.

Sensors play a vital role in robotics as they enable robots to sense the world around them in various ways (such as location, temperature, etc) so they can make appropriate decisions and adjustments to complete tasks.

Servo Motor describes a specific type of direct drive electrical motor which enables very precise movement and speed within a robotic system.

Shanghai Gaussian Automation Technology Development CO., LTD is a Chinese automation manufacturer established in 2013 and specialising in commercial floor cleaning robots and more recently delivery robots under the Gausium.com brand.

Shanghai Keenon Robotics are a Chinese based Customer Service Delivery Robot manufacturer established in 2010 and trading under the brand KeenonRobot.com

Shenzhen Yuejiang Technology Co., Ltd founded in 2015 and is based in Shenzhen, China is the crowdfunded robotics company behind the small Dobot brand of robotic arms.

Shield AI is an American aerospace and defence technology company based in San Diego, California. It develops artificial intelligence-powered fighter pilots, drones, and technology for defence operations.

Simbe Robotics is a San Francisco based specialist in autonomous robots for retail stock auditing and control.

Simulation is a graphical computer programme that represents the robot and its environment and emulates the robot’s behaviour during a simulated run of the desired process so it can be tested in simulated circumstances rather than live, when damage may occur.

Smart Manufacturing is considered the 4^th Industrial Revolution as it refers to how industry will leverage disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Edge computing, Robotics, on-demand 3D printing, Gene editing and the Internet of Things. In combination this will change the face of traditional manufacturing being a fusion of the latest innovations in the digital, biological and physical worlds.

Social Robots provide companionship and emotional and learning support to children and adults who play, talk and even snuggle with them like they would a pet. They also work together in warehouses and factories to transport goods, are used as research and development platforms, and in retail and office environments can perform the task of answering queries.

Softbank Robotics.com is a global business and world leading robot manufacturer, owner of leading brands like Nao & Pepper, and a leading integrator using its extensive data to bring together the needs of commercial clients considering automation and robot developers.

Spark EPOS is a company known for hospitality solutions, payments and kiosks. In 2021 they became the primary distributor for Pudu Robotics enabling a range of robotic solutions in the cleaning and hotel sectors.

Specialist robots are specifically designed for the job and configured by companies like RobotRight who bring together the expertise and hardware of other robotics companies to enable truly bespoke automation. Examples can include twin arm manufacturing robots, grocery packing bots, autonomous drone deliveries, and robots capable of operating in extreme conditions such as confined spaces or heat/cold.

Speed and Separation Monitoring is a feature whereby the robot will slow down prior to a collision with an operator or other unintended contact point and or cease operations if humans enter the vicinity, such as UV robots used for cleansing.

Static Service Robots produce customer service assistance from a static location such as a desk mounted module, kiosk or non-mobile robot with humanised qualities to encourage interaction.

Suzhou Pangolin Robot Corp., Ltd is a Chinese robotic manufacturer based in Suzhou near Shanghai. Established in 2006 they are one of the longest established businesses offering Reception robots, Delivery robots and Disinfection Robots and trade under the brand CSJBot.

Swarm Robotics describes a specialist area of robotic research featuring systems which enable multiple robots to work in a collaborate fashion to achieve an agreed common goal. The individual robots are often less sophisticated as high level processing power can reside in a single separate control system.

Teaching Robots are machines specifically designed for use in an educational environment as a communication tool for children – so this is not about teaching robotics to pupils or programming robots to do a job in industry. Robots as  teachers applies mainly at elementary level with young pupils of primary age (not earlier where social interaction with humans is vital). The robots can be used to broadcast remote video, teachers can use multiple machines in different locations to manage larger class sizes, etc.

Techman Robot Inc., formerly a business division of Quanta Storage Inc., is an independent company under Quanta Computer^[1] established in 2015. The company is most recognized for its cobots with a built-in vision system.

Teleoperation enables robots to be controlled by a human from a remote location, hence enabling usage in dangerous environments or where time saved is an expensive resource.

Telepresence Robots are devices to enable users to see, hear and speak remotely thereby enabling them to attend events such as meetings almost as if they were there. Imagine sticking an iPad atop a remote control Segway and you are half way to inventing a self-balancing Telepresence Robot capable of attending meetings on your behalf. Other non-balancing forms exist such as those from PadBot and AvaRobotics.

Temi or RobotTemi.com is a multinational robotics company that specializes in Robot as a Service solutions (RaaS), autonomous platforms, Al, smart assistant and cloud-based services.

Tennant.co.com is a USA based world leading cleaning company specialising in machines for high volumes. They have also recently launched a range of heavy duty semi-autonomous robotic scrubber cleaners.

Tool & arm Interference is a robotic system with one controller and multiple manipulators, the Tool & Arm Interference Check Function can be used to detect possible interference to avoid collision during operation such as Arm against arm, Arm against tool & Tool against tool. Accordingly this is mostly found in industrial robotic systems.

Touch Sensor is a sensing device, sometimes used with the robot’s hand or gripper, which senses physical contact with an object, thus giving the robot an artificial sense of touch against solid objects.

Underwater Robots are an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) that can travel underwater without requiring input from an operator. AUVs are part of a larger group of undersea systems known as unmanned underwater vehicles, a classification that also includes non-autonomous remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) – controlled and powered from the surface by an operator/pilot via an umbilical cable or using the remote control. All ROVs are equipped with a video camera, propulsion system, and lights. Options such as robotic manipulator arms, welding capability, water testing etc can be added. In military applications, AUVs are often referred to as unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs)

United Robotics Group was founded in 2019 and is a leading European Group bring together multiple robotic disciplines under one roof. They are known for their Plato hospitality robots and more recently CobiotX, social robotics solutions.

Universal Robots is the market leading Danish manufacturer of smaller flexible industrial collaborative robot arms (cobots), it is owned by American automatic test equipment designer and manufacturer Teradyne. Universal were the first company to launch a collaborative robot that could safely operate alongside employees without safety cages or fencing.

Uptime is a period of time in which a robot or production line is operating or available to operate, as opposed to downtime.

Vacuum Cup Hand is a slip-reduced end-effector for a robot arm which is used to grasp light to moderate weight objects, using suction, for manipulation, such as glass, plastic.

Vention operate a cloud platform to improve the efficiency of designing, automating, ordering and deploying automated and robotic solutions in industry.

Video Conferencing Robots – see Telepresence Robots. Fixed video systems enabling chat via Teams or Zoom and built into office suites are not part of this remit although capability is often similar aside from mobility.

Vision Guided is a control system where the trajectory of the robot is altered in response to input from a vision system, this will incorporate vision sensors such as lenses or video cameras.

Voraus Robotic, a part of Yuanda Robotics, specialises in the development of upgraded software and operating systems primarily for industrial robotic systems.

Wandlebots is a German robotic IT specialist with a passion for simplifying programming to improve speed to market for automation solutions via industrial robots.

Warehouse Robots encompass a very wide range of capability and usage from robot manipulator arms aiding in pallet movement and unloading, automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) and robotic cranes, Automated Guided Vehicles or carts (AGV’s & AGC’s), moving or checking inventory levels (using UAV’s/drones) through to picking, packing delivering goods to workstations for order filling (Goods to Person G2P). There is even a shift towards autonomous robots requiring no tracks or network wiring to deliver an end to end solution.

Work Envelope Space or workspace is the maximum area which the robot can operate within, without further manual intervention.

Work Home Position is a reference point for manipulator operations, typically to start from. It prevents interference with peripheral devices by ensuring that the robot manipulator is always within a set range as a precondition for operations such as starting the line or process.

World Coordinates is a global reference coordinate system in which the robot manipulator arm moves in linear motions along a set of Cartesian or rectangular axes in X, Y, and Z directions. Coordinates typically relate to the robot itself, not the manipulator arm although measurements are subsequently taken from former to later to enable that also to be mapped..

WorldModel is a three dimensional representation of the robot’s work environment, including objects and their position and orientation in this environment, which is stored in robot memory. As objects are sensed within the environment the robot’s controller system continually updates the World Model. Robots use this World Model to aid in determining its actions in order to complete given tasks.

Wrist is represented by a set of rotary joints between the arm and the robot end-effector that allow the end-effector to be oriented with degrees of freedom which enable it to grasp an object with roll, pitch, and yaw orientation.

Yaskawa Electric Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer of servos, motion controllers, switches and heavy duty Motoman industrial robots used in welding, packaging, assembly, coating, cutting, material handling and general automation.

Yaw is the rotation of the robot arm end-effector in a horizontal plane around the end of the manipulator arm enabling side to side motion at an axis.

Wandlebots is a German robotic IT specialist with a passion for simplifying programming to improve speed to market for automation solutions via industrial robots.