In robotics, what does the term 'robot configuration' help define?

The term 'robot configuration' primarily refers to the robot's physical structure and operational capabilities. This encompasses the arrangement of the robot's joints, limbs, and sensors which directly influence how the robot moves and interacts with its environment. Understanding robot configuration is crucial for applications in various fields, such as industrial automation, as it determines the robot's range of motion, precision, and tasks it can perform.

While the economic impact, aesthetic design, and historical development of robotic technology are important considerations in the broader context of robotics, they do not pertain to the specific technical definition or application of robot configuration, which is fundamentally about the robot's structure and functionality.