Robot Interoperability — Reference Framework
Versioned reference specifications for interoperability in professional service robotics Non-commercial · Source-linked · Decision-oriented
Purpose
This repository provides a structured reference framework for interoperability in professional service robotics.
It accompanies the industry guide:
The 2026 Guide to Robot Interoperability From Isolated Pilots to Integrated Operational Infrastructure Published by ServiceRobot.com (January 2026)
The repository does not define standards, certify systems or recommend vendors. Its purpose is to map interoperability layers, decision logic and standard roles in a transparent, versioned format.
Scope
This repository addresses interoperability challenges arising from:
multi-vendor robot fleets
mixed hardware generations (greenfield & brownfield)
shared infrastructure environments (factories, hospitals, logistics hubs)
increasing autonomy and AI-based coordination
It focuses on architectural and operational interoperability, not on mechanical design or task-level optimisation.
Interoperability Layers (Conceptual Framework)
Interoperability in service robotics is addressed across three functional layers:
- Syntactic Interoperability — Data Exchange
Standardised communication protocols
Message transport and APIs
Examples: MQTT, DDS, REST interfaces
- Semantic Interoperability — Shared Meaning
Common data models and vocabularies
Alignment of state, intent and environment representation
Enables cross-vendor understanding beyond raw data
- Operative Interoperability — Coordinated Behaviour
Shared behavioural rules in physical space
Coordination at bottlenecks, intersections and shared infrastructure
Integration with building systems (doors, elevators, safety systems)
These layers are complementary, not substitutable.
Standards Landscape (Non-Exhaustive)
No single standard covers all interoperability aspects in 2026. Instead, a complementary ecosystem has emerged.
This repository documents the functional role of widely used standards, including but not limited to:
VDA 5050 — fleet control and mission coordination
MassRobotics AMR Interoperability — status sharing and awareness
Open-RMF — infrastructure-level integration in buildings
OPC UA Robotics — structured M2M communication in industrial contexts
The repository does not rank or endorse standards. It describes where they fit and where their boundaries lie.
Middleware and System Abstraction
Modern deployments increasingly rely on middleware platforms to:
abstract robot hardware differences
coordinate heterogeneous fleets
simulate integration via digital twins
bridge legacy systems through translation layers
Middleware is treated here as an architectural layer, not as a product category.
Security and Legacy Considerations
Interoperability introduces shared trust surfaces.
This repository highlights:
risks of brownfield integration
identity and access challenges in mixed fleets
the relationship between interoperability and cybersecurity exposure
Security is treated as a prerequisite, not as a feature.
Repository Structure robot-interoperability/ ├─ README.md → This document ├─ framework/ → Conceptual interoperability layers ├─ standards/ → Functional mapping of standards ├─ middleware/ → Abstraction & coordination layers ├─ security/ → Risk and trust surfaces └─ changelog.md → Version history
All content is maintained in plain Markdown for transparency and machine readability.
Relationship to ServiceRobot.com
ServiceRobot.com provides the narrative, editorial and visual context
This repository provides the reference and structure layer
Both layers are intentionally separated but cross-linked.
Disclaimer
This repository provides contextual and architectural orientation only. It does not constitute legal, regulatory or compliance guidance, nor does it replace certification, auditing or formal standard documentation.
Versioning
Initial release: January 2026
Updates are documented in changelog.md
Changes reflect ecosystem evolution, not market positioning
Maintained by: ServiceRobot.com — independent reference platform for professional service robotics Last updated: January 2026