Glossary / Robot types
What is Autonomous Service Robot?
An autonomous service robot is a robot designed to perform a task that directly benefits people or an operation — cleaning, delivery, reception — rather than industrial manufacturing.
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Autonomous service robots cover the broad category of robots built for non-industrial tasks: cleaning floors, delivering food or goods, greeting visitors, or transporting items around a building. They're distinguished from industrial robots, which are typically fixed-arm machines used in manufacturing, and from AGVs, which follow fixed paths in warehouses.
Service robots are built to operate safely around the public and staff, in buildings that weren't designed with robots in mind, which is why navigation, obstacle avoidance and safety certification matter more for this category than for factory-floor equipment operating in controlled, staff-only areas.
Common sectors for autonomous service robots include hospitality, healthcare, retail, education and logistics, with cleaning and delivery being the two most established use cases in the UK market today.
Common questions
- What counts as an autonomous service robot?
- Any robot performing a task like cleaning, delivery or reception in a public or semi-public building, as distinct from industrial manufacturing robots.
- Are service robots safe around the public?
- Yes, reputable service robots are certified and use sensors to detect and avoid people well before contact, and are designed specifically for shared spaces.
- What sectors use autonomous service robots most?
- Hospitality, healthcare, retail and logistics are the most established sectors, particularly for cleaning and delivery tasks.
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