Development of a fully autonomous culturally competent robot companion

This chapter addresses the problem of producing fully autonomous, intelligent robots: that is, robots equipped with sensors, actuators, and Artificial Intelligence programs allowing them to perceive the environment, make decisions, and act without being teleoperated or following a script. First, we provide a brief review of today's robotic technology by discussing why most robots shown in the media should be viewed as outstanding examples of mechanics and control that, however, are neither intelligent nor autonomous. Then, we follow the steps from creating a prototype in a research lab to deploying a robot operating 24/7 in the real world: we discuss the technological challenges and propose smart solutions to achieve the biggest impact with the slightest effort. Finally, we illustrate some ideas for the future.