The best household robots
Once upon a time, people were afraid of automation and robots. Whilst a fully automated workforce and flying cars are still a little out of reach, we’re still inviting robots, automation and AI into our homes. From Alexa and Siri to self-driving cars to robots that can grill our food and clean our pools, it seems like we’re living in harmony with robots.
Robots that can work alongside humans are also known as “co-bots” (or “collaborative robots”). These handy helpers can be increasingly found on the market as ways to improve our home lives. RNA automation takes us through a rundown of just a few of the most interesting and useful household cobots that you can get hold of to help you with everyday household chores.
Vector, the cute companion
More than just a home robot, Anki’s Vector was made to hang out and help out. Always learning new skills and features (thanks to a cloud link up), the AI powered robot can independently navigate around your home and self charge.
Vector is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand but has personality in buckets – he’ll watch TV with you, express emotion through LED powered (and adorable) facial expressions and throw tantrums if you pick him up. He’s a curious little robot designed to entertain you and help you out. He can answer questions, set timers, take pictures and more.
The AppBot Riley 2.0, the security guard
Riley the robot is designed to do everything your alarm system can and more. Your average home alarm system and security cameras might do a decent job, but Riley can travel your home using motion detectors and a night vision camera and then send text alerts to your phone when it spots any suspicious activity. Riley is also great for keeping an eye on your pets when you’re at work!
Worx Landroid, the lawnmower
If mowing the lawn is your least favourite job, you’re in luck. Worx Landroid does all the hard work for you – and probably does a better job than you would have done! The Landroid heads out and trims your lawn, autonomously deciding how and when is best to cut your grass. Its intelligently powered AI even calculates mowing cycles to the actual growth rate of your lawn, so it always looks as perfect as possible.
To top this all off, the Landroid is intelligent enough to return to its charging station when it’s low on battery AND when it starts to rain. Why would you ever mow your own lawn again?
Roomba, the robot vacuum cleaner
Perhaps the most famous on this list – the Roomba. This handy little vacuum cleaner is also the most commonly made by other companies, with many other robotics companies having something similar in their line up of products.
It seems unbelievable, but the original Roomba has been around for almost 20 years – since 2002. Since then it’s been through many changes and improvements and is now the most helpful it has ever been. Today, you can link up your Roomba with your Google Assistant and Alexa, and control it by WiFi. It can tackle dirtier and more difficult floors than ever, and it remembers places that get extra dirty in order to give them more attention. You also don’t have to worry about your Roomba dying -mid vacuum anymore, as it can take itself off to charge when the battery level is getting low.
What household robot would you like to see next? Who knows what our houses will be like in the future? With any luck, we won’t need to lift a finger.