Human-animal teams as an analog for future human-robot teams

Abstract

Current military robotics research aims to transition the robot from tool to teammate, one that is more autonomous and acts with limited supervision within a highly complex and demanding environment. Investigating likely analogs to the human-robot team can provide guidance an inspiration into the simultaneous development of robot design and human training. Human-animal teams are one such metaphor that can provide insight into the capabilities of near-future robotic teammates. This paper explores the human-animal team metaphor, and describes a continuum of relevant human–animal team capabilities that can inform and guide the design of next-generation human–robot teams.