Joe Engelberger, the pioneer of the robotics industry, wrote in his 1989 book Robotics in Service that the inspiration to write his book came as a reaction to an industry sponsored forecast study of robot applications, which predicted that in the late 1990's applications of robotics outside factories (the traditional domain of industrial robots) would amount to less than 1% of total sales of robots. Engelberger believed that this forecast was wrong and instead predicted that the non-industrial class of robot applications would become the dominant class of applications. Engelberger's prediction has yet to come to pass. However, he did correctly foresee the growth in non-traditional applications of robotics Robots are now beginning to march from the factories into field and service applications.

The scope of the special issue includes highlights of the successful deployment of robotics technology in the field and service applications. The special issue will seek to show case interesting robot applications in the field such as mining, agriculture, construction, cargo handling and sub sea operations. Service robot applications such as cleaning, security monitoring, assisting the handicapped and elderly will also receive attention. Authors are invited to submit papers describing deployed field and service robot applications, with particular focus on the break through technology that made the application possible. To achieve successful deployment field and service robots must have efficient locomotion systems, reliable navigation systems, trustworthy perception capabilities, and not only work with people, but also work safely with people. The submission of papers describing a core piece of technology required to realize robust, reliable and safe robots for field and service applications are also welcome.