1. A multi-function robot comprising: a body comprising: a drive mechanism; an electronics module to provide instructions to said drive mechanism to position said robot in an operating environment; a sensing apparatus including an optical assembly to provide locality data to said electronics module, the locality data related to a location of said robot in the operating environment, thereby enabling said robot to determine its location in the operating environment independent of calibration with reference to an external source; a sensor array to provide proximity data to said electronics module, the proximity data related to a position of said robot relative to an obstacle in the operating environment, thereby enabling said robot to avoid obstacles in the operating environment independent of the locality data; and an attachment mechanism to receive a functional cartridge; said attachment mechanism being disposed on an interior surface of said body; and a selectively attachable functional cartridge having mechanical components to perform a function; said functional cartridge to engage said attachment mechanism and disposed substantially within said body; wherein mechanical characteristics of said functional cartridge are determined automatically when said functional cartridge is engaged and wherein said robot is selectively reconfigurable to perform the function in accordance with the mechanical characteristics.