ABSTRACT
The field of robotics, as it continues to grow and diversify, will invariably be faced with the challenge of engineering increasingly complex systems. The complexity arises in trying to solve the multi-faceted difficulties of placing increasing levels of autonomy in robotic systems that must navigate and interact with the real world. Add to that the economic constraints placed on consumer robotics, such as service or entertainment robots, and the scientific and engineering challenges continue to multiply. Our goal in this chapter is to provide an overview of, as well as to discuss and analyze through case studies, many of the important issues encountered in the integration of complex, autonomous consumer robotic systems.
