Glossary / Core technology
What is Obstacle Avoidance?
Obstacle avoidance is a robot's ability to detect people, objects or hazards in its path and stop or re-route around them without human intervention.
Last reviewed:
Obstacle avoidance combines sensor input — from LiDAR, cameras and sometimes ultrasonic or bump sensors — with software that decides how to respond: slow down, stop, or plan an alternative route. It's what allows a robot to operate safely in shared spaces where people, trolleys and furniture move unpredictably.
There's a meaningful difference between basic obstacle detection, which simply stops a robot to avoid collision, and full obstacle avoidance, which re-plans a route around the obstruction and continues the task. Better systems distinguish between temporary obstacles worth routing around and genuine blockages worth reporting for attention.
This capability is central to safety certification for service robots, and buyers should ask suppliers how their robot behaves specifically around moving obstacles like people and pets, not just static furniture, since this is where weaker systems tend to struggle.
Common questions
- What's the difference between obstacle detection and obstacle avoidance?
- Detection simply stops the robot; avoidance re-plans a route around the obstacle and continues the task, which is the more capable and useful behaviour.
- Can robots avoid moving obstacles like people?
- Yes, well-designed systems track moving obstacles including people and adjust their path continuously, not just static furniture.
- What happens if a robot can't find a way around an obstacle?
- It stops safely and, in most systems, alerts remote support so the issue can be resolved without a person needing to be on site.
Related terms
Next steps