Yet another aspect of the rapidly developing domestic assistance landscape is that increasingly sophisticated robots are being designed to take over all manner of home-based tasks. NEO, a robot developed by 1X, has been turning heads with its autonomous cleaning prowess. It tracks human actions to gracefully maneuver and accomplish activities within dwellings. NEO runs from afar by way of remote control, with formerly used VR headsets and other sensors. That’s the tremendous promise of technology to improve all of our lives. Yet, despite the inevitability of its success, its famed trajectory has not been without hiccups. On its first mission, NEO accidentally smashed a wineglass.
NEO isn’t alone in this new, exciting field of robotics. Weave Robotics’ seven Isaacs are distributed among urban laundromats, where they autonomously fold freshly washed clothes. At the same time, Sunday AI’s Memo has shown unprecedented agility by successfully balancing two wine glasses at once in a single hand. Notwithstanding these challenges, these breakthroughs point toward a future where robots increasingly become important everyday workers, ushering in discussions about their potential for greater efficiency and improved hourly allocations.
These robots are a perfect example of how to move the needle forward. One promising project is an effort to develop a robotic glove. This cutting-edge, biomimetic design allows robots to more safely and efficiently manipulate fragile objects. A new technology being developed is designed to reduce these kinds of errors so that robots can better perform in home environments.
Physical Intelligence is at the forefront of robotics with their dexterous robot hands. These robots can easily do all types of things, from taking the lid off a peanut butter jar to making a cup of coffee, balling up socks, and cleaning table clutter including things like wine glasses. Perhaps the most inventive detail, these hands can simultaneously water plants — though they tend to spill a bit.
Even these remarkable machines run up against challenges. They’re able to pick drinks and clear plates very effortlessly. As these young people grow older they frequently face challenges in grasping kitchen cabinet handles. This means that there is a lot to go beyond just dexterity and more functionalities for robots.
1X, led by CEO Bernt Børnich, is one of the biggest whales in this newly emerging market. The company benefits from substantial financial backing from tech giants, including Nvidia. Børnich emphasizes the ongoing automation journey within homes, stating:
“We have a lot of data so a lot of the stuff in my home can get automated but periodically someone kind of steps in and helps.” – Bernt Børnich
As robotics technology matures, industry insiders believe it will create an incredible shift in what consumers hope to achieve. Bipasha Sen articulates this shift, suggesting that:
“Today people have two aspirations – a car and a house. In the future they’ll have three aspirations – a car and house and a robot.” – Bipasha Sen
The expectation is that as robots become more integrated into households, they will serve as essential companions in daily life.
Tangible AI is doing some pretty incredible work at the cutting edge of this field. By the end of this year, they expect to release a general-purpose version of Isaac for residential applications. This announcement is indicative of the growing consumer demand for more useful, multifunctional robots that can tackle a wider array of home chores.
Elon Musk is among those who think there’s huge promise and market potential for domestic robots. In fact, he imagines production of one million over the next 10 years. This ambitious forecast is a testament to the increasing consumer demand for smart home technology.