Mobile robotic device

Classification based on size

• nano-scale - (e.g. medical nanorobots, ...)
• micro-scale - (e.g. microcomponent maintainance units, ...)
• meso-scale - around human eye visibility threshold (e.g. CO2 depleting replicators, ...)
• macro-scale - (e.g. cars & other vehicles for transportation, space probes, ...)

Classification based on material processing capabilities

• microcomponents - (e.g. microcomponent maintainance units)
• feedstock molecules suitable best suitable for mechanosynthesis - (e.g. nanofactories, ...)
• normal air - see: air as a resource - (e.g. CO2 collector devices, CO2 depleting replicators, ...)
• certain biological materials e.g. DNA - (e.g. nanomedical devices, ...)
• sugar - (e.g. nanomedical devices, ...)

Classification based on mechanical interconnectedness

• free floating/flying/swimming - (e.g. medical nanorobots, cleanup devices, ...)
• tethered - (e.g. utility foglets, trains, ...)
• barely mobile - (e.g. elasticity emulating microcomponents)

Classification based on degree of good will

• productive / useful - (e.g. nanomedical devices, nanofactories, computerglasses, ...)
• grey zone - (e.g. cleanup devices, hacking devices, ...)
• malicious - (e.g. atmosphere poisoners, CO2 depleting replicators, ...)