Multi-purpose robots and computer program products, and methods for operating the same

A computer-implemented method of training a robot to complete a plurality of work objectives including at least one first work objective in a first service category and at least one second work objective in a second service category, the method comprising:

• defining a first library of reusable work primitives each performable by the robot, wherein at least one respective combination and permutation of reusable work primitives from the first library of reusable work primitives are initiable and executable by the robot in order to complete the at least one first work objective in the first service category;
• and
• defining a second library of reusable work primitives each performable by the robot, the second library of reusable work primitives being at least partially different from the first library of reusable work primitives, wherein at least one respective combination and permutation of reusable work primitives from the second library of reusable work primitives are initiable and executable by the robot in order to complete the at least one second work objective in the second service category;
• training the robot to autonomously perform each reusable work primitive in the first library of reusable work primitives;
• training the robot to autonomously perform each reusable work primitive in the second library of reusable work primitives which is not included in the first library of reusable work primitives;
• and
• retrieving training data for each reusable work primitive in the second library of reusable work primitives which is included in the first library of reusable work primitives, wherein the training data is generated while training the robot to autonomously perform each reusable work primitive in the first library of reusable work primitives.