Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Path: brunix!sgiblab!sdd.hp.com!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!library.ucla.edu!csulb.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com!nagle
From: nagle@netcom.com (John Nagle)
Subject: Re: QUESTION: REAL applications for mobile robots?
Message-ID: <nagleCtHA11.BBz@netcom.com>
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
References: <CtG5Ao.IxF@aisb.ed.ac.uk> <1994Jul24.163912.26484@news.csuohio.edu>
Date: Mon, 25 Jul 1994 04:05:24 GMT
Lines: 27

dpalmer@csuohio.edu (Darryl Palmer) writes:
>Simon Perkins (simonpe@ruby.ed.ac.uk) wrote:
>: A few possibilities that I have seen discussed in recent years:
>:   Mail delivery within buildings (although I've yet to see a robot
>: 				  that can open doors...)
      That's been going on for about ten years, but never really caught on.
      You can buy a mail-cart AGV commercially.
>:   Warehouse management
      Big AGV application.  There are lots of installed systems of various
      types.
>:   Lawnmowing
      First demonstrated in the 1950s, but never really caught on.
      Systems are available.
>:   Brush cutting in forests
      Too tough an environment for current autonomous systems.
>:   Underwater exploration/inspection
      Teleoperators for this are widely used, and have replaced manned
      submersibles and divers in many applications.
>:   Litter collection/cleaning
      Automated floor care is a potential market, and TRC has a product
      for big commercial areas, like warehouses and factories.
>:   Security surveillance
      Denning built a machine for this, but Denning went bust.

      The biggest land-based teleoperator application is bomb disposal.

					John Nagle
