Unmanned systems can be defined by many parameters, from the simple consumer grade robotic vacuum to exponentially more complicated units such as an automated passenger tram at an airport. Without using overtly technical language, I think that a simple definition of unmanned systems should be the following.
Unmanned Systems: a machine or network of machines capable of autonomous activity executing a set of programmed instructions with minimal human interaction to achieve a goal set by the operator.
The use of robotic systems are expanding, once the domain of heavy industry and manufacturing, they have proliferated to mainstream society. From coffee making robotic vending machines to robotic crop harvesters, their use is beginning to influence society in ways that are changing society’s attitudes towards them.
Patrick Carroll 