Robots, methods, computer programs, computer-readable media, arrays of microphones and controllers

A method of controlling a robot, the robot comprising an input component, a microphone and a controller, the method comprising:

• obtaining, by the input component, image data representative of an environment comprising a first region and a second region;
• outputting, by the input component, the image data for processing by the controller;
• receiving, by the microphone, sound from the environment;
• outputting, by the microphone, audio data based on the received sound for processing by the controller;
• and
• in response to the controller determining, using the image data and the audio data, that the sound is received from the first region, outputting, by the controller, a control signal for controlling the robot, the control signal being based on the audio data,
• wherein the controller is arranged to process sounds received from the first region as voice commands on the basis that a predetermined type of inanimate object is located in the first region, and is arranged to process sounds received from the second region in a different manner.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising a set of computer-readable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processing system, cause the processing system to perform a method of controlling a robot comprising an input component, a microphone and a controller, the method comprising:

• obtaining, by the input component, image data representative of an environment comprising a first region and a second region;
• outputting, by the input component, the image data for processing by the controller;
• receiving, by the microphone, sound from the environment;
• outputting, by the microphone, audio data based on the received sound for processing by the controller;
• and
• in response to the controller determining, using the image data and the audio data, that the sound is received from the first region, outputting, by the controller, a control signal for controlling the robot, the control signal being based on the audio data,
• wherein the controller is arranged to process sounds received from the first region as voice commands on the basis that a predetermined type of inanimate object is located in the first region, and is arranged to process sounds received from the second region in a different manner.