PurposeThis paper seeks to describe how signs can be used as a part of the work task scenarios with service robot.Design/methodology/approachThe signs are used to control a work task of a mobile service robot. Tests are done in real outdoor and non‐structured environments with the WorkPartner robot. In the test scenario the signs are used to define the boundaries of a working area. Two different kinds of signs are tested: passive and active.FindingsThe signs can be used as a simple way to define the parameters of a work task. One of the advantages is usability. For example, the signs can just be carried to the working area and no other actions are needed.Research limitations/implicationsThe tests focused only on bounding the working area with signs. Using the signs for pointing a direction, marking a route, or defining a location of a single target will be tested in the future.Practical implicationsSigns are an easy way to configure work tasks of service robots. The concept can be applied to various kinds of mobile robots.Originality/valueThe signs are introduced as an alternative or complementary tool for passing information of the task plan of a work task from the human operator to the service robot.
