The emergence of robotic body augmentation provides exciting innovations that will revolutionize the fields of robotics, human–machine interaction and wearable electronics. Although augmentative devices such as extra robotic arms and fingers are informed by restorative technologies in many ways, they also introduce unique challenges for bidirectional human–machine collaboration. Can humans adapt and learn to operate a new robotic limb collaboratively with their biological limbs, without restricting other physical abilities? To successfully achieve robotic body augmentation, we need to ensure that, by giving a user an additional (artificial) limb, we are not trading off the functionalities of an existing (biological) one. Here, we introduce the ‘neural resource allocation problem’ and discuss how to allow the effective voluntary control of augmentative devices without compromising control of the biological body. In reviewing the relevant literature on extra robotic fingers and arms, we critically assess the range of potential solutions available for this neural resource allocation problem. For this purpose, we combine multiple perspectives from engineering and neuroscience with considerations including human–machine interaction, sensory–motor integration, ethics and law. In summary, we aim to define common foundations and operating principles for the successful implementation of robotic body augmentation.

机器人身体增强的出现提供了令人兴奋的创新，将彻底改变机器人技术、人机交互和可穿戴电子产品领域。尽管诸如额外的机械臂和手指之类的增强设备在很多方面都受到了恢复技术的影响，但它们也为双向人机协作带来了独特的挑战。人类能否在不限制其他身体能力的情况下，适应并学习与他们的生物肢体协同操作新的机器人肢体？为了成功实现机器人身体增强，我们需要确保通过给用户额外的（人工）肢体，我们不会牺牲现有（生物）肢体的功能。这里，我们介绍了“神经资源分配问题”，并讨论了如何在不影响对生物体的控制的情况下对增强设备进行有效的自愿控制。在回顾有关额外机器人手指和手臂的相关文献时，我们批判性地评估了可用于此神经资源分配问题的潜在解决方案的范围。为此，我们将工程和神经科学的多个观点与包括人机交互、感觉-运动整合、伦理和法律在内的考虑因素结合起来。总之，我们的目标是为成功实施机器人身体增强定义共同的基础和操作原则。我们批判性地评估了可用于此神经资源分配问题的潜在解决方案的范围。为此，我们将工程和神经科学的多个观点与包括人机交互、感觉-运动整合、伦理和法律在内的考虑因素结合起来。总之，我们的目标是为成功实施机器人身体增强定义共同的基础和操作原则。我们批判性地评估了可用于此神经资源分配问题的潜在解决方案的范围。为此，我们将工程和神经科学的多个视角与包括人机交互、感觉-运动整合、伦理和法律在内的考虑因素结合起来。总之，我们的目标是为成功实施机器人身体增强定义共同的基础和操作原则。