| Since its inception in 1996, FSR, the biannual "International Conference on Field and Service Robotics" has published archival volumes of high reference value. This unique collection is the post-conference proceedings of the 4th FSR in Lake Yamanaka, Japan at July 2003. This book edited by Shin’ichi Yuta, Hajime Asama, Sebastian Thrun, Erwin Prassler and Takashi Tsubouchi is rich by topics and authoritative contributors and presents the current developments and new directions in field and service robotics. The contents of these contributions represent a cross-section of the current state of robotics research from one particular aspect: field and service applications, and how they reflect on the theoretical basis of subsequent developments. Pursuing technologies aimed at realizing skilful, smart, reliable, robust field and service robots is the big challenge running throughout this focused collection.
In the beginning of 1980's, the robot technology had started to be popular for the automation in many factories. Since then, the role of the robotics has spread wider and wider. Now, robots are expected to take over many human tasks, and to work in various environments. And, robots are also expected to perform in the circumstances, where human cannot stay, such as, deep sea, space or the extremely hazardous places. The robot that performs such tasks is called “field robot”. These abilities have brought new activities to human. Beside such an indirect assist to human, the robots are also requested to help people more directly. This concept is called "service robot”. Various service tasks for daily life have been investigated and many prototypes have already been implemented. |
