They can explore space and colonize other planets by replacing human beings in dangerous, complex, or just plain tedious tasks. They can do their work in highly hostile environments—outer space, strong radiation, extreme temperatures—with no life-support systems. Especially rovers and landers, robots are vitally important in making scientific observations, collecting and analyzing soil and rock samples, and transmitting extremely valuable data back to Earth.

They can also build habitats and establish infrastructure on planets different from Earth. So, autonomous robots could create shelters, set up the life support systems, and deploy solar panels before the human arrival, so the environment will be safer for astronauts. Moreover, robots are capable of maintaining equipment and repairing it without exposing human lives and making the mission more efficient.

Advanced robotics and AI will be capable of sophisticated exploration missions, involving deep space travel and permanent colonies. Robots can function as “pioneers” to open up human ways, or act like “companions” in supporting man with daily tasks and scientific experiments on another planet. The interaction between human and robotic capabilities makes successful space exploration and colonization possible.