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de Silva. Intell Robot 2021;1(1):3-17 https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/ir.2021.01 Page 8

emergency assistance (possibly incorporating remote monitoring, teleoperation, etc.) until regular help
arrives. In this context, some needs in haptic teleoperation (teleoperation with feedback from the slave robot
to the human master) are improvements to autonomous robotics as in non-teleoperation situations;
improved transparency (better/faster tactile/visual/auditory feedback to the remote human operator, for
realistic creation of remote presence); stability under (and compensation for) time delays (which are
[8]
common in teleoperation ; human-like manipulation; improved design and control (for accuracy, speed,
robustness, reliability, and safety); and 3D virtual reality for the remote operator (for improved
transparency).

3.1. Possible directions of advancement
The technology focus may be directed on several aspects to improve the state-of-the-art of Intelligent
Robotics. They include autonomy, improved learning and intelligence (for autonomous operation); self-
awareness for robots (i.e., knowing the own capabilities of the robot); improved dexterity of handling (e.g.,
compliant grasping, parallel not sequential, and incoordination; providing the adequate degrees of freedom
for manipulation of the handled object); improved robot-human interaction (in particular, working “with” a
human rather than working “for” a human); improved speed, stability, robustness, reliability, and safety;
improved sensing (particularly, chemical and biological sensing; transparency of remote operations;
dynamic sensor networks; intelligent sensor fusion); and significant improvement of the “mechanical”
capabilities. Note particularly the capabilities that require “intelligence”, software, mechanical capabilities,
and instrumentation.

In this context, a question can be posed whether to direct much effort in developing universal robots that
have unlimited capabilities and functions, which will, of course, be very costly and complex as well. In other
words, should the focus be directed on the development of very complex and costly multi-purpose robots or
use existing single-purpose robots cooperatively? In fact, it is not wise to put much effort into the
development of complex and costly robots with numerous features and multi-function capabilities. As a
scenario, consider the use of existing low-cost robots that have been developed for just one specific task (
e.g., security, human assistance, and guidance, street cleaning). If an emergency occurs (e.g., an explosion),
they may be called upon to join (if available) in cooperation, for example, put together simple devices and
assist in the situation (e.g., evacuation of the injured).

4. ROBOTIC INTELLIGENCE
The importance of intelligence in Robotics is quite clear. In particular, intelligence is essential for the
autonomous operation of a robot. In fact, the realization of expectations (including some fantasies?) of
intelligent robotics depends on improved robotic intelligence and similarly improved mechanical capability.
Today’s robots do not have even “primitive” human intelligence. Without significantly improved
intelligence, robots cannot achieve human-like capabilities; for example, emotions, common sense, and
inventiveness are rather farfetched! Improved intelligence renders the robots acquire some characteristics of
human intelligence. A robot may be “trained” for a specific task (through methodologies of machine
learning), but this is not the same as developing the robotic brain to reach the nature and capabilities of a
human brain, at least at a very basic level. It is simply “fear-mongering” to say that the future robots will be
a danger to humankind because of their high level of intelligence.

Primarily, robots improve their intelligence through learning, and the foundation of AI is indeed machine
learning. Some claim that since a chess-playing computer has defeated a human champion, it is possible that
intelligent robots will defeat humans in many human-centered activities. Here we have to realize that the
capabilities of a robot depend on their mechanical capabilities and the control program (or brain), which is