Robotics and autonomous systems: New report

Smart, connected machines, or robotics and autonomous systems (RAS), are acting as tools to support us, making independent decisions and even learning. They act and sense in the real world, connected and collaborating in the internet of things, generating and enabled by large quantities of data, using artificial intelligence to reason, classify, control and interact. They have emerged from research prototypes into practical applications. Autonomous and semi-autonomous cars on our streets are one very public example.

Prof Richard Clegg, CE of the Lloyd’s Register Foundation said: “This review looks at robotics and autonomous systems through the lens of the Lloyd’s Register Foundation. It shows how they are already being used to enhance safety and how these capabilities might grow. Its findings shine a light on the positive contribution robots will make to society, and makes the case for robots that serve a safer world.”

The report looks forward at how developments in the area of RAS might impact the safety and performance of the engineered assets and the infrastructures on which modern society relies. It finds that research and development in RAS is proceeding at pace through public and privately funded programmes predominantly in Europe, Asia and North America. These programmes address much of the sensing, control, planning, embodiment, human interface, and collaboration technologies to realise these new and smarter tools. However, there are some important areas which need addressing if society is to see the safety benefits from the implementation of RAS, and where the Foundation may be well positioned to lead or support other international efforts. These include issues of: openness and sharing; assurance and certification; security and resilience; and of public trust, understanding and skills.

The review was drawn together by Professor David Lane, Professor of Autonomous Systems Engineering and Director of the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics, at Heriot-Watt University and the other principal authors were Dr David Bisset, iTechnic Ltd; Dr Rob Buckingham, UKAEA; Geoff Pegman, RU Robotics; and Professor Tony Prescott, University of Sheffield. The review used input from a panel of international experts who met in London in March 2016. An online consultation was also opened with respondents contributing from all over the globe.

This report is the fifth in a series commissioned by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation as part of its emerging technologies research theme.