Robotiikka

Robotiikka, or robotics, is the multidisciplinary field that studies the design, construction, operation, and use of robots—agents capable of sensing their environment, making decisions, and acting to achieve goals. It combines mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and cognitive science to create autonomous or semi-autonomous systems that can perform tasks ranging from manipulation to perception and interaction with humans and objects.

Subfields include industrial robotics (robot arms and automation in manufacturing), mobile robotics (autonomous vehicles and drones), service robotics (domestic and professional service robots), medical robotics (surgical and rehabilitation robots), humanoid and social robotics, and agricultural robotics. The field also covers autonomous systems, perception, and human–robot collaboration.

Core technologies encompass actuators, sensors, control theory, motion planning, computer vision, SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping), robotics software platforms such as the Robot Operating System (ROS), and artificial intelligence and machine learning for perception and decision making. Programming languages commonly used include Python and C++. Research often emphasizes safety, reliability, and energy efficiency.

Historically, robotics emerged from automation and cybernetics in the 20th century, with industrial robots becoming widespread in manufacturing in the latter half of the century. The field has expanded to service robots, autonomous systems, and remotely operated or space-exploring robots, supported by advances in AI, sensors, and actuators.

In Finland, robotiikka is taught and researched at universities and research centers, and connects with industry in manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics. International standards for safety and interoperability—such as ISO 10218 for industrial robots and ISO/TS 15066 for collaborative robots—guide design and risk assessment, while ethics and data privacy considerations shape responsible deployment.