Here's an interesting article about personal robotics. The author Rob Enderle asserts that while the US is sending robots to Mars, the Japanese and the Europeans are making them for the consumer. He describes three types of personal robots: Pets, household appliances, and servants.
Personally, the idea of a robotic pet makes as much sense to me as a pet rock. Sure the robotic cat may not cough up hairballs and the robotic dog may not get separation anxiety and leave piles of bolts in each room, but there's something to be said for a living being instead of a collection of circuits and servos. The robotic application I would love is definitely the servant or the household appliance. It would be nice to have a robot that can clean up the place while everyone else is at the office. Like having maid service but without the risk that the maid service will decide to steal the jewels and leave town. There's a company that produces robotic lawnmowers and vacuum cleaners. Interesting, but no information on the price. I doubt they are cheap. And with my lawn I doubt it could handle the gravel drive, and the angled flower gardens well. But it would be fun to see the results of one at work.
Posted by Bob at June 3, 2004 04:09 PM