Coexisting with Nature: “A Mini-Review of Outdoor Robot Arm Studies”

The use of robot arms has significantly increased due to their numerous advantages. Initially confined to controlled environments such as factories, homes, operating rooms, and laboratories, these robots have now expanded into open spaces. This expansion includes gardens, farms, forests, job sites, urban areas, and even underwater settings, where they interact with diverse elements including humans, animals, plants, and environmental factors. The integration of outdoor robot arms into shared natural environments worldwide is crucial for the advancement of the upcoming intelligent era. However, this integration presents new challenges due to the dynamic and unpredictable nature of these environments, necessitating the development of new rules and guidelines. One significant concern is the safety of both the robot arms and the non-intelligent entities they interact with, alongside human safety considerations. This paper reviews recent literature on outdoor robot arms in shared natural environments, analyzing studies from multiple perspectives. It categorizes the distribution of publications by working places, including gardens, job sites, farms, urban areas, forests, beaches and seas, and other locations. The analysis also examines the primary targets and obstacles faced by these robots, such as plants, elements, animals, and humans. Finally, the paper discusses critical considerations for the successful coexistence of robot arms with the diverse elements of nature. These considerations include sustainable integration, balancing technological advancement with environmental preservation, ethical considerations, adaptability to dynamic environments, and ensuring safety in diverse settings. Addressing these aspects is essential for the harmonious and effective deployment of robotic arms in outdoor environments.