Robots are increasingly common in high-end applications such as space and ocean exploration. However, there is now an opportunity to bring robotics into the office and the home. There are significant strides being made in producing robotic devices suitable for use in the toy, medical and entertainment industries. One huge potential application is in employing robots as care assistants for people with limited mobility. Other applications include robot guides, cleaners and assistants in offices, hospitals, museums and other public venues. According to the UN Economic Commission for Europe, the service robot population is expected to grow from under 200,000 to over 2,000,000 units between now and 2005. The time is ripe for the West Midlands region to build the potential to service this industry, as there is currently little commercial activity within the region in this sector.

The current challenge is to build commercial software that can enable robots to interact with people in ways that are useful, reliable and appropriate. This will include software to give robots personalities, virtual emotions and the ability to identify and interact with humans. There will be a huge potential market for such software with robotics companies within three years.

Cercia and the Intelligent Robotics laboratory have purchased a state of the art mobile robot research platform to support development and testing of new applications. The Robot is a mobile platform, with stereo vision, laser range finding and host of other sensors. It carries two high end PCs and can also communicate over a wireless LAN. It will operate for up to 3 hours continuously. The robot is the most advanced of its kind in the UK and is available for use within the laboratory by companies wishing to develop new applications. The robot is suitable for prototyping applications for the office, factory floor or home. It is also suitable for prototyping systems for robot human interaction based on visual input.