Robotlari

Robotlari is a term used in speculative robotics to denote a family of modular, cooperative robotic platforms designed to enable scalable human–robot collaboration in a range of settings, from homes to warehouses. The concept emphasizes interoperability, safety, and ease of customization.

Hardware and modularity: Each robotlari platform is built from standardized modules, including a chassis, mobility modules (wheels, tracks, or leg actuators), manipulation modules (robotic arms with grippers), energy modules (batteries and swappable packs), and sensor packages (RGB-D cameras, lidar, tactile arrays). Modules connect via universal docking interfaces to allow rapid reconfiguration for different tasks or environments.

Software and autonomy: The platforms typically run an open software stack compatible with ROS 2 and related middleware, supporting perception, mapping and localization (SLAM), motion planning, and task coordination. They are designed for decentralized multi-robot operation, using peer-to-peer communication with conflict resolution to avoid central bottlenecks and single points of failure.

Applications and use cases: In homes, robotlari assist with cleaning, object retrieval, and elder or disabled care. In logistics and warehousing, they collaborate for inventory, sorting, and replenishment. In education and research, they serve as affordable, adaptable platforms to study human–robot interaction and swarm-like coordination.

Development, standards, and challenges: The concept spans research prototypes and early commercial attempts. Standardization of interfaces remains ongoing, with concerns about safety, privacy, reliability, and cost. Community-driven projects contribute to open-source software and modular hardware, but real-world adoption requires rigorous validation and regulatory compliance.