Robots in Industry

Traces how industrial robots evolved from early factory automation and mechanical automatons into programmable machines. Explains how added sensing moved robots from simple pick-and-place work to welding, grinding, and assembly.

Johanna Wallén

A literature survey covering a century of mobile robot development, from wartime teleoperation to today's AI-driven autonomy. Reviews applications across defense, security, delivery, inspection, and healthcare.

Ravi Raj and Andrzej Kos

A data-rich report on how automation reshapes jobs and productivity worldwide. Includes a Robot Vulnerability Index by country and a close look at robots entering the service sector.

Oxford Economics

An accessible introduction to what defines a robot and how sensors set robots apart from simple automata. A clear starting point for understanding real-world robot applications.

Mordechai Ben-Ari and Francesco Mondada

Explores how design shapes the way people react to robots and why that matters for public policy. Draws on human-robot interaction research and the design of social robots.

Heather Knight