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Science·G Space·Evidence-backed gain·Published 2026-07-12

Brave new world: service robots in the frontline

Purpose The service sector is at an inflection point with regard to productivity gains and service industrialization similar to the industrial revolution in manufacturing that started in the eighteenth century. Robotics in combination with rapidly improving technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), mobile, cloud, big data and biometrics will bring opportunities for a wide range of innovations that have the potential to dramatically change service industries. The purpose of this paper is to explore the pote…

TRV-2026-0058Peer-reviewedPermanent record — cite & verify
Brave new world: service robots in the frontline

"Army scientists energize battery research" by U.S. Army CCDC, CC BY-SA 2.0.

The quick read

Purpose The service sector is at an inflection point with regard to productivity gains and service industrialization similar to the industrial revolution in manufacturing that started in the eighteenth century. Robotics in combination with rapidly improving technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), mobile, cloud, big data and biometrics will bring opportunities for a wide range of innovations that have the potential to dramatically change service industries.

Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a conceptual approach that is rooted in the service, robotics and AI literature.

Main points
  • Purpose The service sector is at an inflection point with regard to productivity gains and service industrialization similar to the industrial revolution in manufacturing that started in the eighteenth century.
  • The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential role service robots will play in the future and to advance a research agenda for service researchers.
  • Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a conceptual approach that is rooted in the service, robotics and AI literature.
Gain

Robotics in combination with rapidly improving technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), mobile, cloud, big data and biometrics will bring opportunities for a wide range of innovations that have the potential to dramatically change service industries.

The rundown

The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential role service robots will play in the future and to advance a research agenda for service researchers. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a conceptual approach that is rooted in the service, robotics and AI literature.

Sources

The debate