In the deWulf sector, robots come in two broad categories: Fixed/semi-fixed (used commonly for industrial tasks), and mobile robots that are used everywhere else.
The former are nearly ubiquitous in industry. The need for high speed precision work virtually mandates their use. In these cases they are powerful, precision machines that are capable of sub-micrometer precision day after day after day. While capable of performing multiple tasks, most are optimized to a few short tasks and instead work in concert with other robots for higher throughput. These same systems are also found on warships or larger commercial starships, though in their case they’re instead optimized in the other direction. Capable of doing many different procedures, a small robotic self-contained factory or “Autofac” can produce most replacement parts from raw feedstock as well as a collection of multipurpose electronic components.
Mobile robots on the other hand, are more often seen in the home, the store, or the battlefield. Home robots tend to be efficient semi-focused machines that handle many of the menial chores that require doing. The basics like laundry, cleaning, and basic food preparation are usually well represented here. Retail sees far more use, with warehouses and stores often heavily supported by robotics to handle restocking, inventory, all those back-end jobs that only require a good back and some basic reading skills.
Combat mobile robots are their own special category, and they come in three broad classifications. The first (and most common) are unarmed support robots. These range from drone scout robots (often disposable or semi-disposable), to automated support logistics units (both larger robotic wheeled trucks and smaller four-legged packbots). The second are fire support robots. While armed, they remain under direct supervision and control of a live operator. The most common kind are self-carrying mortar or AT bots. They allow one or two operators to deploy with substantially more firepower than they could handle by themselves, and survive any retaliatory fire. The last and least common type are semi-autonomous combat robots. These robots use IFF sensors along with rules of engagement to operate on their own in a combat environment. While very effective, the continual potential for target identification errors (both false positives AND false negatives) restrict their use. Despite the claims from their manufacturers.
Dollarton Proxima Shipyards 