ABSTRACT
The final two chapters of this book reflect the growing interest in implementing robots in task domains other than industrial environments. The issues of human-robot integration in service robotics are discussed in Chapter 16. The field of service robotics challenges the designers to address the issues of human compatibility, safety and utility. The primary thrust of this chapter is to show how robotic technology can augment human capabilities. Several research programmes in the area of service robotics are reviewed and the relevant human-robot integration problems are discussed. Finally, Chapter 17 contains an application of robotics in the construction industry. Robot economics and management issues are discussed in view of current developments in optimum robot assignment to various construction tasks. A computer model for such considerations is elaborated.
