The National Security and Investment Act 2021 (Notifiable Acquisition) (Specification of Qualifying Entities) Regulations 2021

Characteristic of autonomy

5.—(1) Advanced robotics has the characteristic of autonomy where it is capable of performing actions—

(a) independent of human control; or

(b) independent of human control but complemented by—

(i) manual (including tele-operation) control;

(ii) pre-programmed operations or controls; or

(iii) control derived from other robotics or software control systems.

(2) The characteristics of autonomy may include either or both of the following—

(a) using physical, sensory and cognitive capabilities in combination, to decide on and implement a course of action that will vary depending on—

(i) the environment; or

(ii) the behaviour, dynamics, properties or arrangement of objects in the environment, which may include the ability to self-navigate or react to stimuli or changes in order to improve performance; or

(b) adapting or learning by carrying out actions to improve the performance of tasks from iteration and experience, which may include—

(i) the ability to self-heal;

(ii) the capability to identify and repair damaged robotics or components; or

(iii) having soft robotics capabilities (robotics made from compliant materials that mimic capabilities in living organisms that enable them to adapt or respond to their surroundings).