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When robots learn to think, earn money, and collaborate, analyze 15 types of robotic technologies and application cases
Author: Heritage.Defi, Crypto KOL
Compiled by: Felix, PANews (with some edits)
“Everyone is asking, what can artificial intelligence do? But the real question is, what will happen when AI gains a physical form?”
The narrative in the robotics field has finally reached a major turning point, with capital beginning to pay attention. Related stories are more popular than ever, and more builders are emerging. However, robotics technology (especially now with the integration of AI and Web3) is still in its early developmental stages.
Before exploring a decentralized robot economy, we need to answer a fundamental question: what exactly is a robot?
A robot is a programmable machine designed to autonomously or semi-autonomously perform specific tasks. They interact with their environment using sensors, actuators, and control systems, and can adapt to different conditions as needed.
In short, a robot is like an intelligent assistant toy. You tell it what to do, and it remembers. It has “eyes” (sensors) to observe its surroundings, “hands and legs” (movable parts), and a “brain” to help decide how to best complete tasks such as cleaning, building, or even dancing alone or with your help.
Over the years, the development of robotics has far exceeded factory robotic arms. Today, robots come in many forms and serve vastly different purposes.
Below is a classification of robotics technologies and their real-world application examples.
1. Industrial Robots
Industrial robots are automated machines used for high-precision, high-repetition tasks such as welding, painting, assembly, and material handling. They are designed to operate in manufacturing environments, often working alongside CNC machines, conveyor belts, and automated storage systems.
2. Articulated Robots
Articulated robots are multi-joint robots resembling human arms, sometimes even surpassing human capabilities. They can have up to ten rotary joints, offering high flexibility and capable of complex movements in various directions. These robots are commonly used in automotive assembly and sorting, and can operate in tight spaces.
3. SCARA Robots
Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm. They feature a unique mechanical structure with two parallel arms connected at a right angle to a joint. This design allows SCARA robots to move horizontally with high speed and reliability. They are often used in manufacturing and assembly processes, such as pick-and-place operations.
4. Service Robots
Service robots work in homes, hospitals, hotels, and other settings, performing tasks from floor cleaning to parcel delivery. They are designed to assist humans and typically operate semi-autonomously or fully autonomously. These robots focus on practical real-world tasks rather than industrial applications. Some help with chores, others optimize logistics, and some even provide customer service.
Examples of service robots:
5. Exploration Robots
Robots built for extreme environments assist scientists and engineers in studying places too dangerous or remote for humans. These robots must operate under harsh conditions while collecting data vital for research and technological progress.
Examples include:
Some robots not only perform human tasks but also resemble humans in appearance. Humanoid robots mimic human movements, expressions, and even speech, making them useful in customer service, research, and companionship.
These robots are designed with human-like forms, featuring arms, legs, and sometimes expressive faces. They are usually equipped with AI to understand language, recognize emotions, and interact naturally with people.
Examples include:
7. Educational Robots
Some robots can build cars, while others can teach thinking. Educational robots engage students in programming, engineering, and AI, making STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) more appealing. Designed for classrooms and research labs, they teach coding, robotics, and problem-solving interactively. They help students grasp complex concepts while having fun.
Examples of educational robots:
8. Companion Robots
Not all robots are designed for work; some are built for companionship. Companion robots provide emotional support, entertainment, and even therapy, playing important roles in elderly care, mental health, and daily interactions. They are meant to socialize or offer therapeutic interactions with humans. Equipped with AI, facial recognition, and sometimes soft shells like pets, they are more engaging.
Examples include:
9. Autonomous Mobile Robots
Self-driving cars are no longer a distant dream—they are on the roads, shuttling between warehouses, and even delivering goods. Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) use AI, cameras, and sensors to operate without human drivers, becoming vital in transportation, logistics, and industry.
These vehicles perceive their environment and make driving decisions independently, relying on LIDAR, GPS, and real-time data processing.
Examples include:
10. Collaborative Robots
Collaborative robots, or cobots, work safely alongside humans, handling repetitive tasks so people can focus on higher-level activities. Unlike traditional industrial robots that require safety cages, cobots are equipped with sensors and force-limiting features to prevent serious accidents.
They share workspaces with humans and assist in manufacturing, assembly, and healthcare. Easy to program and highly flexible, they are ideal for companies seeking automation without extensive infrastructure changes.
Examples include:
11. Swarm Robots
Swarm robots are small, independent units that communicate and coordinate like a hive, capable of tackling complex tasks beyond individual robots. Inspired by ants, bees, and birds, they can move collectively, adapt, and solve problems.
The core of swarm robotics is quantity and teamwork. They follow simple rules rather than relying on a single leader, creating intelligent, distributed systems. If one robot fails, others continue working.
Examples of swarm-capable robots:
12. Soft Robots
Soft robots abandon rigid frameworks, using flexible, pliable materials to stretch, bend, and adapt to their environment. Inspired by biology, their movement resembles that of an octopus, making them ideal for handling fragile objects and navigating unpredictable environments. Instead of traditional motors and gears, they utilize pneumatics, fluid dynamics, and smart materials to change shape and adapt.
Examples include:
13. Nanorobots
Nanorobots operate at microscopic scales, capable of swimming through your bloodstream or decomposing pollutants at the molecular level. While they sound like science fiction, they are gradually approaching real-world applications, especially in medicine and environmental science.
These ultra-miniature machines can perform high-precision tasks where accuracy is critical. Most are still in research and development, but they have the potential to revolutionize drug delivery, industrial cleaning, and more.
Examples of prototypes and theories:
14. Reconfigurable Robots
Reconfigurable robots can change their shape based on the task at hand. Some are modular, like high-tech LEGO bricks, while others can alter their form without disassembly.
These adaptable machines excel in scenarios requiring flexibility and responsiveness; they can also operate autonomously. Their reconfiguration ability makes them invaluable across multiple fields.
Examples include:
15. Cartesian Robots
Also known as Gantry robots, Cartesian robots operate within a three-dimensional grid, offering precise control over linear movements. They are used for pick-and-place tasks, CNC machining, and 3D printing.
Historically, robots were designed to execute commands. They were like obedient workers, doing exactly what they were told—nothing more, nothing less. But now, they are evolving from mere tools to true partners, capable of thinking, learning, and adapting.
Thanks to AI, robots are no longer just instruments—they are beginning to think, learn, and collaborate. The next evolution is not just mechanical but cognitive. When AI, robotics, and Web3 combine, entirely new entities emerge.
A self-working, thinking, and trading entity in the robot economy—that’s where OpenMind comes into play.
Openmind aims to build the brains of intelligent machines, while XMAQUINA focuses on constructing the economy and ownership layers, returning power to the public.
XMAQUINA is a DAO committed to democratizing the use of robots, humanoid machines, and physical AI. The DAO holds a multi-asset treasury, including investments in private robot companies, real-world assets, and crypto assets.
XMAQUINA envisions a “Machine Economy Launchpad,” allowing developers and communities to create SubDAOs (asset-specific DAOs) that jointly own specific machine assets or robot companies, with on-chain governance.
XMAQUINA strives to involve the global community in the development of robotics and physical AI—governance, investment, and shared ownership—rather than limiting it to large corporations.
The development of robotics is not just hype; it’s the fusion of the three most powerful forces today: AI, automation, and decentralization.
Traditional robots increased productivity; the next generation will transform labor, ownership, and value creation. Those who recognize this early will not only ride the wave but also help build a new machine economy. The narrative is here, and the infrastructure is forming.
Related reading: Robot Economy Becomes a New Trend in Crypto—A Look at 12 Popular Concept Coins