The Human-Robot Cloud: Situated collective intelligence on demand

The Human-Robot Cloud (HRC) is an innovative extension of Cloud Computing across two important directions: First, while traditional cloud computing enables transparent utilization of distributed computational as well as storage resources, the HRC enables, in addition to the above two, the utilization of (a) distributed sensing (sensor network technology) and (b) actuator networks (including robot networks). Thus, HRC extends the concept of cloud computing by connecting it to the “Physical World”, through sensing and action. Second, while traditional cloud computing involves the usage of only electronic components, such as computers and storage devices, the HRC's capability is extended by the support of human physical and cognitive “components” as part of the cloud, which are neither expected to be experts nor to be engaged with the cloud full-time. Such components are primarily expected to interact with the system for only short periods of time (seconds), essentially providing crowd-servicing for the Cloud. Human components provide any or a mixture of the following: a) input arising from a number of sources through the usage of their sensory faculties (auditory, visual etc.), - thus, acting as “intelligent sensors” attached to the cloud; b) input that results from the usage of their cognitive faculties (pattern recognition, prediction, identification, planning etc.) - thus, acting as “intelligent systems” attached to the cloud; and c) actuation services to the Cloud (by moving around their bodies or other objects) - thus acting as “actuators” attached to the cloud. Thus, the proposed HRC is aiming to achieve the best of both worlds, i.e., either humans or machines, being able to carry out tasks which are very difficult or impossible for either humans or machines alone to carry out. Furthermore, the HRC enables the construction of situated agents exhibiting collective intelligence on demand, and the transformation of situated agency from a “capital investment” to a service, components of which can be provided by multiple providers, in a transparent fashion to the end user.