Purpose – This paper aims to provide a European perspective on the collaborative robot business and to consider the factors governing future market development. Design/methodology/approach – Following an introduction, this first describes the collaborative robots launched recently by...

Purpose This paper aims to provide an insight into the current state of cloud robotics developments, technology and applications. Design/methodology/approach Following a short introduction, this paper first considers the potential benefits of cloud robotics. It discusses cloud service providers...

Purpose This paper aims to provide details of recently developed firefighting robots and their applications. Design/methodology/approach Following a short introduction, this paper, firstly, gives details of a selection of recently launched terrestrial firefighting robots. It then discusses the...

Purpose This aims to illustrate the role robotic technology is playing in the key sectors of the green economy. Design/methodology/approach Following a short introduction, this paper discusses existing and potential robotic applications in three key sectors of green economy: renewable energy,...

Purpose This paper aims to trace the technological and commercial developments in robotics over the last 50 years, from 1973, the year in which this journal was founded, to the present day. Design/methodology/approach Following an introduction, this identifies key robot developments on a...

Purpose – This paper aims to provide an insight into recent miniaturised robot developments and applications. Design/methodology/approach – Following an introduction, this article discusses the technology and applications of miniature robots and considers swarm robotics, assembly robots,...

Purpose This paper aims to provide details of recent commercial and technological developments that are driving robotic warehouse automation. Design/methodology/approach Following a short introduction, this first provides a commercial background and identifies the factors driving the market...

Purpose This paper aims to illustrate the growing role of machine learning techniques in robotics. Design/methodology/approach Following an introduction which includes a brief historical perspective, this paper provides a short introduction to machine learning techniques. It then provides...

Purpose – This paper aims to discuss search and rescue (SAR) and disaster relief robot developments, trials and applications and to answer the question posed in the title. Design/methodology/approach – Following a short introduction, this first describes Integrated Components for Assisted...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the growing role of robots in environmental monitoring. Design/methodology/approach Following an introduction, this first considers aerial robots for monitoring atmospheric pollution. It then discusses the role of aerial, surface and underwater...