Cloud, Fog, and Mist Computing: Advanced Robot Applications

As we are witnessing the dawn of the artificial intelligence revolution, it is a good time to discuss the system-architecture challenges of the new age of robotics. Most of the disputes are related to the wide variety of cloud-computing arrangements along the questions of why, with what, and how to exploit existing information technologies to cope effectively with the increasing demands. Traditional industrial robot makers are very conservative, relying exclusively on onboard execution. However, the rising user demand for advanced robot skills, such as dexterous manipulation and free navigation in an unstructured environment, has inspired newcomers to break with tradition and move robot software architecture to the next level. Inspired by the talks of Prof. Imre Rudas on cloud robotics, this article highlights some substantial factors of system design and discusses a real-world industrial example from my R&D practice.