A brand-new paradigm of robots–quantum robots–is proposed through the fusion of quantum theory with robot technology. A quantum robot is essentially a complex quantum system which generally consists of three fundamental components: multi-quantum computing units (MQCU), quantum controller/actuator, and information acquisition units. Corresponding to the system structure, several learning control algorithms, including quantum searching algorithms and quantum reinforcement learning algorithms, are presented for quantum robots. The theoretical results show that quantum robots using quantum searching algorithms can reduce the complexity of the search problem from O( $N^2)$ in classical robots to O( $N\sqrt N)$ . Simulation results demonstrate that quantum robots are also superior to classical robots in efficient learning under novel quantum reinforcement learning algorithms. Considering the advantages of quantum robots, some important potential applications are also analyzed and prospected.
A brand-new paradigm of robots–quantum robots–is proposed through the fusion of quantum theory with robot technology. A quantum robot is essentially a complex quantum system which generally consists of three fundamental components: multi-quantum computing units (MQCU), quantum controller/actuator, and information acquisition units. Corresponding to the system structure, several learning control algorithms, including quantum searching algorithms and quantum reinforcement learning algorithms, are presented for quantum robots. The theoretical results show that quantum robots using quantum searching algorithms can reduce the complexity of the search problem from O( N2) in classical robots to O( NN) . Simulation results demonstrate that quantum robots are also superior to classical robots in efficient learning under novel quantum reinforcement learning algorithms. Considering the advantages of quantum robots, some important potential applications are also analyzed and prospected.
A kind of brand-new robot, quantum robot, is proposed through fusing quantum theory with robot technology. Quantum robot is essentially a complex quantum system and it is generally composed of three fundamental parts: MQCU (multi quantum computing units), quantum controller/actuator, and information acquisition units. Corresponding to the system structure, several learning control algorithms including quantum searching algorithm and quantum reinforcement learning are presented for quantum robot. The theoretic results show that quantum robot can reduce the complexity of O(N^2) in traditional robot to O(N^(3/2)) using quantum searching algorithm, and the simulation results demonstrate that quantum robot is also superior to traditional robot in efficient learning by novel quantum reinforcement learning algorithm. Considering the advantages of quantum robot, its some potential important applications are also analyzed and prospected.
The convergence of quantum computing and robotics represents a paradigm shift in autonomous systems design, promising to overcome fundamental computational limitations that have constrained classical robotic capabilities. This comprehensive review surveys the rapidly evolving field of quantum machine learning (QML) for robotics, systematically analyzing 107 peer-reviewed contributions spanning quantum algorithms, machine learning techniques, and their robotic applications. We provide a detailed historical perspective on the field's development, from the early theoretical foundations established by Grover's search algorithm and quantum reinforcement learning proposals to current experimental implementations on noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices. The review systematically examines five major application domains: (1) quantum reinforcement learning for navigation and control, (2) quantum search and path planning algorithms, (3) quantum-enhanced localization and mapping, (4) quantum optimization for inverse kinematics and task allocation, and (5) multi-robot coordination and swarm intelligence. For each domain, we present detailed algorithmic formulations, computational complexity analyses, and critical assessments of experimental results. Our analysis reveals that while provable quantum advantage in robotics remains largely prospective, recent demonstrations show promising results: quantum deep reinforcement learning achieving 40\% parameter reduction in navigation tasks, Grover-based kinematic optimization demonstrating up to 93x speedups, and quantum annealing providing practical solutions for multi-robot routing. We identify key technical challenges, including barren plateaus in variational circuits, noise-induced performance degradation, and the quantum-classical integration bottleneck. Finally, we outline a strategic roadmap for quantum robotics research, distinguishing near-term opportunities in hybrid algorithms from long-term goals requiring fault-tolerant quantum computation. This paper serves as both an authoritative technical reference and a comprehensive guide for researchers working at the intersection of quantum computing and autonomous systems.
The convergence of quantum computing and robotics represents a paradigm shift in autonomous systems design, promising to overcome fundamental computational limitations that have constrained classical robotic capabilities. This comprehensive review surveys the rapidly evolving field of quantum machine learning (QML) for robotics, systematically analyzing 107 peer-reviewed contributions spanning quantum algorithms, machine learning techniques, and their robotic applications. We provide a detailed historical perspective on the field's development, from the early theoretical foundations established by Grover's search algorithm and quantum reinforcement learning proposals to current experimental implementations on noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices. The review systematically examines five major application domains: (1) quantum reinforcement learning for navigation and control, (2) quantum search and path planning algorithms, (3) quantum-enhanced localization and mapping, (4) quantum optimization for inverse kinematics and task allocation, and (5) multi-robot coordination and swarm intelligence. For each domain, we present detailed algorithmic formulations, computational complexity analyses, and critical assessments of experimental results. Our analysis reveals that while provable quantum advantage in robotics remains largely prospective, recent demonstrations show promising results: quantum deep reinforcement learning achieving 40\% parameter reduction in navigation tasks, Grover-based kinematic optimization demonstrating up to 93x speedups, and quantum annealing providing practical solutions for multi-robot routing. We identify key technical challenges including barren plateaus in variational circuits, noise-induced performance degradation, and the quantum-classical integration bottleneck. Finally, we outline a strategic roadmap for quantum robotics research, distinguishing near-term opportunities in hybrid algorithms from long-term goals requiring fault-tolerant quantum computation. This paper serves as both an authoritative technical reference and a comprehensive guide for researchers working at the intersection of quantum computing and autonomous systems.
The increasing convergence of quantum computing (QC) and advanced robotic control is giving rise to a new class of intelligent automation systems. Utilizing quantum-inspired computational principles, contemporary robotic platforms demonstrate greater optimization efficiency, superior perceptual processing, and improved decision-making performance. This survey outlines the principal quantum-oriented control methodologies utilized in robotics, with particular emphasis on approaches that incorporate Quantum Neural Networks (QNN), Quantum Machine Learning (QML), and Quantum-behaved Particle Swarm Optimization (QPSO). The investigation systematically reviews recent advances in quantum-assisted adaptive control, trajectory planning, and optimization frameworks, spotlighting their contributions to improved robustness, precision, and energy efficiency. By analyzing research in quantum reinforcement learning, distributed Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) computing, and hybrid quantum-classical approaches, this review clarifies how quantum principles are transforming both theoretical and practical aspects of robotic control. Likewise, several real-world implementations ranging from industrial manipulators to autonomous and cognitive robotic systems demonstrate the growing feasibility of quantum-enhanced decision-making. The review concludes that while remarkable progress has been made in quantum-inspired control for robotics, most existing studies remain constrained to simulations with restricted experimental validation on physical platforms. Addressing this gap will be essential in future research to transition from theoretical and simulated models toward hardware-level implementations, enabling the realization of scalable, fault-tolerant quantum control architectures.
This study explores how quantum computing can reshape the intelligence, adaptability, and learning capacity of humanoid robotics. It examines how quantum principles such as superposition and entanglement allow robots to process and evaluate information in parallel, leading to faster, more flexible responses than those built on classical computing. The paper connects ideas from quantum machine learning (QML), quantum optimization, and quantum reinforcement learning (QRL) to practical scenarios in humanoid robotics, where rapid reasoning and context awareness are essential. Within a hybrid quantum-classical framework, the study outlines how these methods can enhance robotic perception, decision-making, and natural-language interaction, making cognitive robotics more adaptive in complex domains such as healthcare, manufacturing, and disaster response. Rather than presenting a full solution, this work defines a pathway for integrating quantum algorithms into real robotic architectures. The results indicate that combining quantum computing with humanoid robotics through hybrid quantum-classical systems could lead to a new stage of robotic intelligence machines able to handle uncertainty, learn continuously, and reason in ways that reflect deeper, more human-like awareness.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide details of developments in quantum technologies and consider their potential applications in robotics. Design/methodology/approach Following a short introduction, this study first provides an overview of the global quantum technology landscape. It then discusses developments in quantum computing and sensing technologies. Potential applications in robotics are then considered and finally, brief conclusions are drawn. Findings Quantum technologies are the topic of a rapidly growing global R&D effort. Quantum computing has the potential to conduct conventional computations far more rapidly than traditional computers and solve complex problems that are presently challenging or impossible. If realised, robotic applications could include enhanced route planning, machine learning and data fusion. Quantum position and magnetic field sensors have the potential to revolutionise navigation systems in airborne, land and marine robots and overcome limitations of GPS and inertial measurement units. Magnetic sensors also have a role in health care in the control of robotic prostheses and exoskeletons and in brain–computer interface techniques. Quantum radar, lidar and imaging systems stand to outperform their conventional counterparts, and applications are anticipated in military and civilian robots. Quantum technologies are still at an early stage of development, and much progress will be made in the future, opening up many further robotic applications. Originality/value This study provides an insight into quantum technology developments and their potential applications in robotics.