ABSTRACT
The convergence of various demographic trends and technical capabilities during the past decade have established a mandate for a new class of human-made tools: ‘service robotics’. The distinguishing characteristic of service robotics-their close proximity to humans in service sector roles-creates new demands for both the human and the robot from a human-robot interaction perspective. Human populations with particular needs (e.g. people with disabilities) provide a unique resource for examining ways in which robotic technologies can augment human abilities across the spectrum of functions. Since no human being is normal in every respect and consequently levels of ability vary widely, the concept of universal design is an important component of designing useful and safe service robotic tools.
