Home robots have existed since the 1990s. They are currently used for helping humans with many kinds of domestic chores. The potential of robotics in domestic use covers three primary areas: the running of the home, security and entertainment. We can already see prime examples of IoT influence in all three sectors, including a few items that are now very much considered everyday tools.
A world where robots routinely mingle among humans may seem like a scene from the far future. In reality, however, robots are already affecting many facets of our lives. Robots perform many tasks once handled by human workers, especially in the industrial manufacturing and commercial industries. Robots take on many dangerous and repetitive tasks in these settings.
Robots’ tasks are often aimed at replacing human work that is “dull, dirty and dangerous,” which is often the case in the industrial and commercial worlds. Increasingly, robots are becoming part of household life, taking on some of the burden of dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks there, as well.
What Is A Service Robot?
Robots have been performing industrial tasks like manufacturing plant operations for many years. Robotics technology is being applied more frequently to commercial and medical tasks, as well.
Some robots completely replace the work of humans, while others enhance or work alongside humans to perform specialized tasks. The da Vinci Surgical System, for example, works in tandem with surgeons, who guide the robotic device through minimally invasive procedures. Service robots are similar to robots used in these settings, but are typically used for home-based tasks. The International Organization for Standardization defines “service robot” as a robot that performs useful tasks for humans.
Robots are sometimes developed to resemble humans, but are often designed in a way that best fits the task at hand. No matter the form, robots are operated through an internal control system and programmed to perform semi-autonomous or fully-autonomous tasks. In the case of service robots, those tasks are intended to assist humans. Home-based service robots perform tasks in three main categories: household chores, security, and entertainment.
Service robots help homeowners with chores like:
- Vacuuming and other cleaning tasks
- Lawn mowing
- Pool cleaning
- Gutter cleaning
- Litter box cleaning
Service robots enhance home security through automated web cams that can detect, record, and alert homeowners to security breaches, as well as warning intruders to leave the property. These robots take on the job of human security guards.
Entertainment robots can control sound systems, store and organize media, and even perform tasks like making drinks for party guests. The Makr Shakr, for instance, is a robotic bar system that can create cocktails with incredible precision. While this technology is not yet widely available for home use, the manufacturer anticipates introducing a home version in the coming years. A primary goal for personal service robots is to be able to be operated by lay people who don’t have technical backgrounds.
More Complex Robots Will Emerge In The Coming Era
Household cleaning robots are only the tip of the iceberg. In the future, our homes may include high-functioning toy and educational robots, robotic personal assistants, and even family companions. In addition, consumer robots may play a key role in eldercare as the population in the developed world ages.
AI Advancement in Home Robots
Advancements in the robotics field over the past several years have led to robots integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) that can actually “learn” and adapt. These modern robots can effectively make independent decisions. Industry experts predict that the next generation of personal service robots will be equipped with predictive AI that can anticipate human needs or address security issues before they happen.
This kind of AI advancement will greatly impact the consumer market. Deep Sentinel, for example, plans to release AI-powered home security and surveillance systems that can predict and disrupt crimes before they even occur. This technology relies on high-tech concepts like neural networks, computer vision, and deep learning gained through metadata.
Medical applications, in particular, represent a great deal of potential in the personal service robot field. Already being used in medical settings, robotic assistants in the home are becoming more common, especially in areas like Japan, where the population is aging rapidly. These robots can perform tasks like taking vitals, dispensing medications, and requesting emergency assistance should the need arise.
Artificially Intelligent Butlers will be one of the biggest game-changers. They are best imagined as extremely advanced versions of Siri or Alexa. Take control of all routine life admin like paying bills, managing subscriptions, doing your shopping and constantly monitoring ways to save you time and money
Entertainment-wise, the novelty of today’s robot toys is likely to wear off quickly as the technology becomes more familiar. Indeed, Anki, the Californian developer of the Wall-E like toy Vector, has just closed its doors for the final time. The home assistant, meanwhile, already has a vast range of capabilities, but offers the potential to carry out complete management of the home as associated smart technology finds its way into houses worldwide. Essentially, the potential impact is exponential, and a complete IoT-integrated robotics takeover of the household could be closer than we think.
References
- Robots Will Be Family Members at Home in the Future – https://www.rfidjournal.com/the-future-of-robots-in-the-home
- Service Robots , AI advancement in future Robots – https://www.nai-group.com/are-service-robotics-future/
