Applications
Healthcare
Service robots have transformed healthcare by enabling precise interventions, supporting rehabilitation, and enhancing patient care in various settings. In surgical applications, systems like the da Vinci Surgical System, developed by Intuitive Surgical, facilitate minimally invasive procedures through robotic arms controlled by surgeons at a console. First cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2000 for general laparoscopic surgery, the da Vinci system provides enhanced visualization, dexterity, and control, allowing operations such as prostatectomies, hysterectomies, and cardiac surgeries with smaller incisions and reduced blood loss compared to traditional methods.[47] By 2025, da Vinci systems have been used in nearly 17 million procedures worldwide, demonstrating their widespread adoption in operating rooms.[48]
In rehabilitation, service robots assist patients recovering from injuries or neurological conditions by providing structured physical therapy and promoting mobility. Exoskeletons, such as the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton, worn over the lower body, deliver powered assistance to the hips and knees, enabling individuals with spinal cord injuries to stand, walk, and navigate stairs. The ReWalk received FDA clearance for personal use in 2014 and is deployed in clinical settings to improve gait training and cardiovascular health during rehabilitation sessions. Therapy robots extend to mental health support, where interactive devices guide cognitive behavioral exercises or provide companionship to alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms; for instance, socially assistive robots like those based on humanoid platforms deliver personalized prompts for mindfulness or social interaction in therapeutic environments.[49]
For elderly care, service robots address isolation and hygiene needs, particularly in dementia support and infection control. The PARO therapeutic robot, resembling a baby harp seal and equipped with sensors for responsive interactions, was introduced in 2003 to engage patients emotionally through touch and sound, reducing agitation and improving mood in individuals with dementia.[50] Post-COVID-19, UV-C disinfection robots, such as the UVD Robot, have been integrated into hospital routines to autonomously navigate rooms and emit ultraviolet light to eliminate pathogens on surfaces, minimizing human exposure to contaminants and supporting safer care for vulnerable populations.[51]
These applications yield measurable impacts, including reduced surgeon fatigue from ergonomic console designs that allow seated operation during lengthy procedures.[52] According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), medical service robots experienced significant annual growth, with sales surging 91% in 2024 alone, reflecting a compound expansion of over 20% from 2020 to 2025 driven by healthcare demands.[53]
Logistics and Delivery
Service robots have transformed logistics and delivery by automating material handling, transportation, and last-mile distribution in warehousing, urban environments, and outdoor settings. In warehouse automation, Amazon's acquisition of Kiva Systems in 2012 introduced mobile robots that transport shelves to picking stations, significantly streamlining order fulfillment processes.[54] By mid-2025, Amazon had deployed over one million such robots across its global fulfillment centers, enabling faster inventory movement and reducing human labor in repetitive tasks.[55]
For last-mile delivery, sidewalk-based robots navigate pedestrian paths to transport goods directly to consumers, minimizing traffic congestion and emissions. Starship Technologies, founded in 2014, pioneered autonomous delivery bots that use sensors and AI for obstacle avoidance, handling groceries, meals, and packages in urban areas like Silicon Valley and European cities.[56] Similarly, Kiwibot robots, developed since 2017, specialize in on-campus food delivery at universities such as the University of North Dakota and University of Maine, where they autonomously carry orders from dining halls to dorms and buildings.[57][58]
Outdoor logistics applications extend service robots to agriculture and port operations, addressing challenging terrains and large-scale tasks. John Deere's 8R autonomous tractor, unveiled in 2022, integrates GPS, cameras, and machine learning to perform tillage and planting without human operators, enhancing precision farming on expansive fields.[59] In ports, inspection drones equipped with AI for visual analysis monitor cranes, loading equipment, and infrastructure; for instance, the Port of Hamburg deploys such drones via secure networks to assess conditions remotely, improving safety and reducing manual risks.[60]
The integration of service robots in these areas has yielded notable efficiency gains.[61] Adoption surged during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022, as labor shortages and contactless demands accelerated warehouse automation and delivery robot deployments worldwide.[62]
Domestic and Entertainment
Domestic service robots encompass autonomous devices designed to perform household chores, providing convenience and efficiency for everyday users. The iRobot Roomba series, introduced in 2002, represents a pioneering example in floor cleaning, utilizing visual simultaneous localization and mapping (vSLAM) technology to create detailed home maps for systematic navigation and obstacle avoidance.[63] By 2025, iRobot has sold over 50 million Roomba units worldwide, demonstrating widespread adoption for tasks like vacuuming carpets and hard floors.[64] These robots often feature self-emptying docks and app-based scheduling, reducing manual intervention in home maintenance.
Beyond indoor cleaning, outdoor assistance robots like the Husqvarna Automower, first launched in 1995 as the world's initial commercial robotic lawn mower, handle yard upkeep autonomously using boundary wires and GPS for precise coverage.[65] By mid-2025, Husqvarna has sold over 1 million Automower units, enabling users to maintain lawns up to several acres without human oversight.[66] For elderly support, the Care-O-bot series, developed by Fraunhofer IPA since the late 1990s, serves as a mobile assistant capable of fetching items, monitoring health, and facilitating daily activities in home settings.[67] Prototypes like Care-O-bot 4 emphasize safe human-robot interaction through modular designs for tasks such as serving drinks or providing reminders.[68]
In entertainment, social robots foster companionship and leisure. The Jibo robot, released in 2017, aimed to engage families with expressive animations, voice recognition, and photo-taking capabilities, though production ceased in 2019 after shipping around 4,800 pre-ordered units.[69] Sony's Aibo, originally launched in 1999 and revived in 2018 with AI-driven behaviors like learning tricks and responding to touch, has sold over 150,000 original units and more than 20,000 of the updated model by 2025, appealing as an interactive pet alternative.[70][71] These robots often simulate emotional bonds, with Aibo using cloud-based learning to adapt to owners' preferences.
Consumer trends highlight increasing smart home integration, with many domestic robots compatible with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa for seamless control. For instance, Roomba models allow voice commands to start cleaning or return to base via Alexa skills, enhancing automation in connected households.[72] The global domestic service robots market reached approximately USD 14.62 billion in 2025, driven by rising demand in developed regions where robotic vacuums achieve penetration rates exceeding 30% in households, reflecting broader acceptance of automation for chores.[73]