What is the role of artificial intelligence in robotics?

Artificial intelligence plays a central role in enabling robots to interact with their environment, make decisions, and adapt to new situations. At its core, AI provides the tools for robots to process sensor data, recognize patterns, and execute tasks with varying levels of autonomy. Unlike traditional programmed robots that follow fixed instructions, AI-driven systems can handle uncertainty, learn from experience, and improve performance over time. This integration allows robots to operate in dynamic, unstructured environments where predefined rules alone would fail.

One key application of AI in robotics is perception and environment understanding. Robots use sensors like cameras, LiDAR, or tactile sensors to gather data, and AI algorithms—such as computer vision or neural networks—process this information to identify objects, track motion, or map surroundings. For example, a warehouse robot might use AI to distinguish between boxes of different shapes on a cluttered shelf or navigate around unexpected obstacles. Techniques like Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) combine sensor data with AI to let robots build and update maps in real time. Without AI, these tasks would require exhaustive manual programming for every possible scenario, making robots inflexible and impractical for real-world use.

AI also drives decision-making and autonomy. Path planning algorithms like A* or RRT* (Rapidly-exploring Random Trees) use AI to calculate efficient routes while avoiding collisions. In industrial settings, robots might employ reinforcement learning to optimize assembly line tasks, adjusting grip strength or movement speed based on feedback. For instance, a robotic arm assembling electronics could learn to handle fragile components by analyzing failed attempts. Additionally, AI enables real-time adaptation: a delivery drone might reroute mid-flight due to weather changes using predictive models. These capabilities rely on AI’s ability to balance multiple objectives—like speed, accuracy, and safety—in complex, changing contexts.

Finally, AI facilitates learning and adaptation, allowing robots to improve without explicit reprogramming. Machine learning techniques like imitation learning let robots mimic human demonstrations, while transfer learning enables skills learned in simulations to apply to physical hardware. A robot trained in a virtual environment to open doors, for example, can transfer that knowledge to real-world doors with varying handles. This reduces development time and costs. AI also helps robots generalize across tasks—a robot designed for sorting packages could adapt to handle medical supplies with minimal retraining. By embedding learning loops into robotic systems, AI ensures they remain effective as environments, materials, or requirements evolve.