How do robots communicate with each other and with humans?

Robots communicate through a combination of hardware interfaces, software protocols, and sensory data exchange. For interactions between robots, standardized communication protocols and middleware frameworks enable coordination, while human-robot communication relies on interfaces like voice, touchscreens, or programming APIs. These methods ensure robots can share data, execute tasks collaboratively, and respond to human input effectively.

In robot-to-robot communication, protocols such as ROS (Robot Operating System) topics or MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) are commonly used. ROS, for example, allows robots to publish and subscribe to data streams (like sensor readings or movement commands) over a network, enabling collaborative tasks. Industrial robots might use Ethernet/IP or Modbus to synchronize assembly line actions, sharing real-time position data to avoid collisions. For simpler devices, Bluetooth or Zigbee can transmit low-power signals for short-range coordination, such as swarm robots arranging themselves into formations. These protocols often rely on predefined message formats (e.g., JSON or binary payloads) to ensure compatibility between different systems.

For human interaction, robots use input/output mechanisms tailored to the context. Voice-based systems like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant integration allow users to issue verbal commands, while touchscreens or physical buttons provide direct control. Developers often interact programmatically via REST APIs or SDKs—for instance, sending movement commands to a drone using Python scripts. In industrial settings, HMIs (Human-Machine Interfaces) display real-time status dashboards, and collaborative robots (cobots) might use force sensors to detect human touch for immediate stops. Vision systems, like cameras paired with OpenCV, enable gesture recognition for non-verbal input. Security is critical here: encrypted channels (HTTPS, TLS) protect sensitive data, and authentication mechanisms ensure only authorized users or devices can send commands. These layered approaches ensure robots operate safely and efficiently in diverse environments.