The MAKE team is going to visit the folks from iRobot (Makers of the Roomba) – so, Makers – what types of robots do you want to see in homes, business, etc? What features, access, specs, docs are important? Recently, iRobot released a SCI (Serial control interface) for their new vacuuming bots, and since then we’ve seem dozens of new robotics projects. A great start, but what else? For now, check out some home robotics related projects – and check back later for photos and videos – Link.
11 thoughts on “Home robotics – what do you want?”
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I want a robot to pickup all the kids toys, feed the pets, sort the socks, and fold the laundry.
I want a robot to pickup all the kids toys, feed the pets, sort the socks, and fold the laundry.
This is going to sound lazy, but it could sell.
Fridge bot. A mini fridge on wheels.
It could keep itself docked and powered until you request it by remote. It then would navigate a pre-programmed path to your couch and deliver a cold beverage.
It would then turn around and go back to it’s docked location.
With bigger wheels it would be great for a deck, or outdoors also.
Better odometry! The distance & angle sensor values available from the SCI are lossy due to slippage. How about a mouse-like optical sensor to measure true motion? Should be cheap to add and be very accurate.
The future of Roombatics you ask?
– I would like to see wireless connection built into the Roomba. Any enhancements that we create now require Roomba owners to buy an extra piece of hardware which is not going to happen in most cases.
I would like to see an extension to the idea of robots for cleaning, vaccuming is great since it saves time, but how about something else that would be rather simple. A single pain window cleaning robot, or perhaps one for showers, or sinks? I’ve seen a product recently introduced by Johnson & Son(scrubbing bubbles) but it seems to be limited to showers with doors. Really anything that would save sometime would be great.
Portable Toilet Bot
the Crapba
A tub scrubbing bot is what I want. Pool-scrubbers already exist, I guess. But something that could climb the sides of the bathtub and scrub off the soap scum and grime would be great.
Two words: Commercial Roomba.
I work in a restaurant and I hate sweeping. Remember, iRobot also makes the PackBot… certainly, they could combine the two to create a great heavy-duty product.
Looking through previous blogs, it seems that the ideal robot would need to be as multi-functional as a human assistant, and a little more. Our robot should be able to perform in a human environment, which would include climbing stairs, opening doors, reaching up to high cupboards etc; the only alternative to this is to build the home around the robot – factory style – not very practicle. As it is rather inevitable that we will build him/her ‘in our own image’ (just check out Repliee Q1 and EveR1), perhaps our android should not be too beautiful, or we may get some human conflict (but then a ‘Chippendale’ version could be built for the ladies ;-)
However, I digress. The robot could not arrive fully trained, it would have to learn about its new home and its inhabitants habits. What constitutes rubbish in this house, and what must be kept. My ideal robot would be able to take over all the day-to-day tasks that keep me from my hobbies, and from spending enough quality time with my wife and kids. It would also be able to play with the kids when I run out of ideas or energy, it would be able to walk to the shops and buy the groceries etc etc.
In short, if I was rich enough I would hire a human to help with all of these things, but I’d feel more comfortable with a robot around. Of course, our robot would have to be three-laws-safe, which is one thing you can never guarantee a human to be.
There is a short article on my website about robots and androids:
http://groups.msn.com/VAASANEWSPAGES/technology.msnw
would love to see a robot that washes the shower cubicle and sink and potty.a tall order.!!!!!as well as a better job done by the scooba and roomba.lastly awindow cleaning robot.heres to spending quality time with family and friends rather than spending time cleaning cleaning and once again cleaning.