The branch of robotics concerned with vehicular robot systems that are able to locomote within an environment or terrain. Mobile robots are used in research on navigation, exploration, and autonomous agents. Recent research in behaviour-based systems and biomimetic robotics has created legged robots and other mechanical analogues of insects and animals.

Applications include autonomous guided vehicles for use as guides and couriers, automatic vehicle driving systems, and military and security surveillance devices. The entertainment sector is a new market responsible for many designs of small humanoid and four-legged toy robots.