PERSONAL ROBOTIC SYSTEM AND METHOD

One embodiment is directed to a personal robotic system, comprising: an electromechanical mobile base configured to be controllably movable upon a substantially planar surface in a global coordinate system wherein a Z axis is defined perpendicular to the substantially planar surface; a torso assembly movably coupled to the mobile base such that the torso may be controllably moved in a direction substantially parallel to the Z axis and also controllably rotated about an axis substantially perpendicular to the Z axis; a head assembly movably coupled to the torso assembly; a robotic arm operatively coupled to the torso assembly; and a controller operatively coupled to the mobile base, torso assembly, head assembly, and robotic arm, and configured to controllably manipulate nearby objects while also automatically minimizing destabilizing moments applied to the mobile base through movement of at least one of the mobile base, torso assembly, head assembly, and robotic arm.