Community Service Robotics: Expansion of Robot Services Through Robot Collaboration Networks

The challenges facing society such as a declining birth rate and aging population, disaster response, labor shortages, and infection control are becoming increasingly complex. To address these diverse challenges, it is conceivable that robots with various functions could be networked to provide solutions. By integrating not only multifunctional robots, but also single-function robots, environmental sensors, and IoT devices into a system, a wider range of issues can be addressed. Social issues differ across regions, and a variety of applications can be developed by addressing these issues. Furthermore, if such a system is implemented into society, it could lead to the creation of new markets and contribute to social revitalization. Here, such an application of robotics is referred to as “community service robotics.” In fact, research on robotic collaboration and the development of platforms for this purpose are already underway. This article introduces trends in robotic collaboration networks and our efforts to tackle these societal challenges.