Aristotle might have argued against the concept of a “universal good,” but for roboticists “autonomy” would be a solid contender. The specific reasons why autonomy in robotic systems is regarded so highly vary according to the application. However, increased functionality is the reason typically given, often measured in terms of increased productivity in industrial settings and enhanced capabilities for military applications. Autonomy in robotic systems can also decrease the overall costs for certain robotics application solutions, although the relationship between autonomy and cost reduction is often overlooked.

Autonomy Is the Opportunity

That increasing autonomy is an overarching trend within all segments of the robotics and intelligent systems industry is beyond dispute. Again, the conventional wisdom among those who employ robotic systems for serious work holds that greater autonomy in robotic systems reduces application costs and increases system capabilities. In addition, the same technologies that support autonomous operation in robotic systems can be incorporated into products and services not deemed “robotic” by the general public, such as self-parking cars.

For all members of the robotics value chain, from researchers to technology providers, and on to end users, autonomy is the opportunity—the opportunity to secure research grants, drive revenue, or do a job more effectively. But a hard-nosed business analysis limited to the strategic and business advantages that increasing autonomy conveys to robotics systems, and the entities that employ them, provides only a partial understanding of the scope of the opportunities.

Autonomy in robotic systems will increase because robotic systems with growing levels of autonomy will be developed. It is a classic case of circular reasoning, but true nonetheless. In short, there is a generally held belief that over time autonomy will become pervasive in both civilian and military applications, robotic and otherwise. As technology improves, and autonomous systems build on their success to become commonplace, the number and scope of autonomous applications will multiply exponentially. As such, autonomy is a transformational capability, and therein lies the opportunity.

This article provides an overview of the ways that the increasing levels of autonomy is changing the robotics landscape across all industries, and how that may impact current robotics and intelligent systems technology providers, new market entrants, and the investment community. It includes a breakdown of the various classes of autonomous capabilities, and describes the role of autonomy in various vertical market segments—consumer robotics, military robotics, and industrial robotics—along with a review of enabling technology that is central to greater autonomy in all classes of robotics products.