Human-centered robotics and haptic interactions

Summary A new field of robotics is emerging. Robots are today moving towards applications beyond the structured environment of a manufacturing plant. They are making their way into the everyday world that people inhabit - hospitals, offices, homes, construction, and other cluttered ana uncontrolled environments. While advancing into these new areas, current field and service robots are limited in their abilities to manipulate and interact with humans. The successful introduction of robotics into human environments will rely on the development of competent and practical systems that are dependable, safe, and easy to use. The value of their contribution to the work environment will have to be unquestionable and their task performance must be reliable.