What are the different types of robots based on their job duties?
Based on their application environments, Chinese robotics experts categorize robots into two main types: industrial robots and special-purpose robots.
Industrial robots are multi-jointed manipulators or multi-degree-of-freedom robots designed for industrial applications. Special-purpose robots, on the other hand, are advanced robots used outside of manufacturing and serving humanity. These include service robots, underwater robots, entertainment robots, military robots, agricultural robots, and robotic machines. Within special-purpose robots, some branches are developing rapidly and showing a trend towards becoming independent systems, such as service robots, underwater robots, military robots, and micro-manipulation robots.
International robotics scholars categorize robots into two types based on their application environment: industrial robots in manufacturing environments and service and humanoid robots in non-manufacturing environments. This classification is consistent with that in China.
Aerial robots, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are the most active, technologically advanced, and financially invested field in military robotics, boasting the richest combat experience. For over 80 years, the development of UAVs worldwide has been primarily driven by the United States, which leads the world in both technological level and the variety and quantity of UAVs.
