In the future, the existing capabilities of robots at Los Alamos will be refined and expanded. Researchers also will study their potential uses in such areas as removing and cleaning contaminated filters, autonomous hazardous waste disposal, disposable sensor platforms and discovering new drugs. Robots, most of which don't even vaguely resemble humans, generally work faster and more precisely than people, they don't get tired, and they can handle dangerous materials and work in dangerous situations. Their growing use is linked to the development of computers, sophisticated controls and other electronic equipment. Computers provide a way to control robots more precisely, allow adaptation to changing environments and, most importantly, reprogram their ability to handle more difficult, comprehensive tasks.
Some researchers even define robots as the physical extensions of computers.
Other Los Alamos researchers are investigating the use of minimal autonomous robots that work without computers or human supervision, basing them on novel, fundamental principles of machine control. Robotics is taken seriously at Los Alamos, where the materials handling requirements are among the most stringent in the world. A robot that cleans kitchen floors is nice, but a robot that handles radioactive materials safely is essential. Los Alamos will continue to take advantage of improvements in mechanized sophistication, robustness and accuracy, while pursuing research to advance the field of robotics even further.