Mobile robot
A mobile robot is an automatic machine that is capable of movement in a given environment.
Mobile robots have the capability to move around in their environment and are not fixed to one physical location. In contrast, industrial robots usually consist of a jointed arm (multi-linked manipulator) and gripper assembly (or end effectors) that is attached to a fixed surface.
Mobile robots are the focus of a great deal of current research and almost every major university has one or more labs that focus on mobile robot research. Mobile robots are also found in industry, military and security environments. They also appear as consumer products, for entertainment or to perform certain tasks like vacuum, gardening and some other common household tasks.
Classification
Mobile robots may be classified by:
The environment in which they travel:
Land or home robots. They are most commonly wheeled, but also include legged robots with two or more legs (humanoid, or resembling animals or insects).
Aerial robots are usually referred to as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
Underwater robots are usually called autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs)
Polar robots, designed to navigate icy, crevasse filled environments