Reactive and deliberative robotic control are two distinct approaches to how robots process information and make decisions. Reactive control is based on immediate responses to environmental stimuli. This means that a robot using a reactive approach will act in response to specific inputs from its sensors, without extensive internal planning or reasoning. For example, if a robot encounters an obstacle, it may simply back away or turn around, reacting to the obstacle without considering other factors or future consequences.
On the other hand, deliberative control involves a more complex decision-making process where the robot analyzes its environment and plans its actions over a longer time frame. In this approach, the robot builds an internal model of the world and uses reasoning to decide on the best course of action based on that model. For instance, a robotic vacuum cleaner employing deliberative control might create a map of the room and decide the most efficient path to clean the entire area, rather than just reacting to objects in its way.
In practice, these two approaches can also be combined. Many modern robots leverage both reactive and deliberative methods to balance responsiveness and planning. For instance, an autonomous vehicle might use reactive control to swiftly avoid sudden obstacles while relying on deliberative control to navigate towards a destination efficiently. By understanding the differences between these methods, developers can better design robots suited for specific tasks, optimizing their performance based on the requirements of the application.