A guideline of the Association of German Engineers (VDI) defines industrial robots as “universally applicable manipulators with several axes, whose movements are freely programmable (i. e. without mechanical intervention and allowing modification) with regard to sequence, paths or angles, and can be assisted by sensors if necessary. They can be equipped with grippers, tools or other manufacturing equipment and can perform handling and /or other manufacturing tasks.”
From autonomous service robots as domestic cleaners to medical robots that assist physicians in operating rooms – not forgetting humanoid toy robots for the engineers of tomorrow: the range of potential applications is diverse – and is by no means limited to use in factories.
