Engineers Say Personal Robotics Will Become an Important New Category in Family Lives
I have the idea of a “sociable” robot—one that people can have relatively natural interactions with—has been the lore of science fiction for decades. From Lost in Space to Star Wars to WallE and beyond, interactive robotic machines have been the stuff of our creative imagination for some time. In 2019, however, I believe we will start to see more practical implementations of personal robotics devices from several major tech vendors.
While several companies have tried, and failed to bring personal robotics https://www.glewengineering.com/robotics-semiconductor-industry-prepares-for-450mm-wafers-part-2/the mainstream in the recent past, I believe several technologies and concepts are coming together to make the potential more viable this year. First, from a purely mechanical perspective, the scarily realistic capabilities now exhibited by companies like Boston Dynamics show how far the movement, motion, and environmental awareness capabilities have advanced in the robotics world. In addition, the increasingly conversational and empathetic AI capabilities now being brought to voice-based digital assistants, such as Alexa and Google Assistant, demonstrate how our exchanges with machines are becoming more natural. Finally, the appeal of products like a robotic dog also highlight the willingness that people are starting to show towards interacting with machines in new ways.
In addition, robotics-focused hardware and software development platforms, software development kit, and key advances in computer vision, as well as the growing ecosystem around the open source ROS (Robot Operating System) all underscore the growing body of work being done to enable both commercial and consumer applications of robots in 2019.
What is a Robotic Personal Assistant?
A robot that helps you with day-to-day household tasks, making your life easier. These little in-home companions serve a variety of purposes: everything from educational assistance to schedule organization. They are designed to take the daily tasks that make your life more stressful off your hands, like trying to remember upcoming appointments or birthdays!
Why You Need It
Smart robots are designed to take care of the tasks that take up extra time in your day. They’ll make your home run more efficiently, with less work for you. I feel they’re also really cool, and go a long way in making your home smarter and on the cutting edge of technology.
Installation & Ease of Use
Smart robots are simple to set up, and learn your preferences quickly. Most require no installation beyond an initial sync with their accompanying smartphone application.
Cost
All products listed below are currently only available for pre-order, but the price range for most of these products appears to be in the $500-$800 range.
I’ve written about surveillance it’s something I’m very passionate about. I’m looking at moving into a townhome in my city, though the number one concern I have is around security; in my condo right now, I can lock the door and feel very safe, yet a townhome opens the world up to possibility for break-ins or burglaries. Nearly 66% of all burglaries are home break-ins, and home without security systems are up to 300%, are more likely to be broken into. If that doesn’t convince you to protect yourself, I don’t know what will.
I love the iPatrol Riley about $150 price point is great, and it offers the security I need. A 5-megapixel camera that has night vision, Wi-Fi remote, self-docking for charging and more. It detects motion with an instant alert so I can be made aware and call the police in an instant.
Beam System Remote Technology: Price about $75-$100 Best for Remote Families.Having family close is super important to our mental and emotional well-being. If your spouse travels a lot, your kids go to college, or your parents live in another state, it can be lonely at times, and staying connected through Facebook alone is just not enough.
This is where having a Bean System in your home comes in. Your family members can call in remotely, and you don’t have to stay in front of your computer to Skype. You can meander around your home, cook meals, and clean all while catching up with your loved ones. Honestly, you might even mistake your family for being right there with you with this robot around.
Many people with home offices say that they use this to keep connected with their coworkers as well. Keep one of these at the office and you’ll never miss a minute of the water cooler talk again. https://www.glewengineering.com/robotics-semiconductor-industry-prepares-for-450mm-wafers-part-2/
Key Benefits
- Two-way audio visual feed on moving robot!
- Auto-docking to the charger
- It moves around! How cool is that?!
- As evidenced by the amazing list of soon-to-be-released robots above, the world is getting a lot closer to seeing the robots of our imaginations become fully realized. This is an exciting time to be a consumer, and we’d recommend getting one of these smart companions into your home as soon as possible.
These are just a few of the ways Engineers are forging forward to the future, making your life safer, easier, and more efficient. Yes, there is the factor that it might break down, but no different than your personal assistant calling in sick. I personally am looking forward to these new helper inventions.