Service robotics: an emergent technology field at the interface between industry and services

Area of Science:

• Economics
• Robotics
• Technology Assessment

Background:

• Service robots represent a significant emerging technology with broad economic implications.
• Understanding their impact requires analyzing interdependencies between service sectors and industry, including the innovation process.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the economic implications of service robots.
• To investigate the labor market effects and skill requirements associated with service robotics.
• To identify challenges and provide policy recommendations for this technology field.

Main Methods:

• Economic analysis of service robot integration.
• Assessment of interdependencies between service provision, industry, and innovation.
• Evaluation of labor market dynamics and skill demands.

Main Results:

• Service robotics is projected to generate net job creation.
• Increased skill requirements for employees in the service robotics sector are anticipated.
• Contextualization of economic implications is crucial due to heterogeneous applications.

Conclusions:

• Service robots offer economic opportunities but necessitate workforce adaptation.
• Policy interventions are needed to navigate the challenges of evaluating and developing service robotics.
• The integration of service robots will reshape labor markets, emphasizing the need for upskilling.