We’re always interested in the bold, exciting, and ingenious ways researchers and inventors take robotic technology to new heights. As far reaching as the applications are, the implications for everyday life are also profound. Here are some of our favorite recent technological innovations that you’re just as likely to find in your living room as you are in a laboratory.
Taking home security to new heights
The “world's first intelligent robotic home assistant capable of autonomous flight" is about to launch. The Aire will cruise around your home and even take a picture if you’d like, via a request to the on-board Alexa mounted on top. Aire has collision detection so that it won’t crash into your walls while it checks on your pet, home, or any other flying robots you may have. (You do have other flying robots, don’t you?)
A new spin on strong-arming
We hear a lot about what robots can do for us…... what about a robot muscle? What about a robot muscle that can lift 1,000 times its weight? Researchers at Columbia University have come up with a 3D-printable synthetic muscle that doesn’t even need its own compressor to work. The muscle, which is controlled remotely, can even be made in different sizes. Talk about “that guy” at the gym!
Robo-clean
The new ILife robot vacuum cleaner boasts an onboard hepa filter and 140 minutes of cleaning time. It learns your home via smart sensors and won’t bump into your furniture or fall down stairs. It’s also quieter than competitive models.
AI to bug out about
How does the vacuum learn how to navigate your home? Artificial intelligence, that’s how. How do researchers come up with new ways to employ and improve on AI? Bug brains. Ants and bees, for example, are very good at navigating even over long distances. Complex adaptive behaviors like this can be replicated by drones and robots. The team at Leapmind is working on AI that enables decision-making and faster learning -- for smarter, faster robots!
Hello, smart dolly
One very popular use for AI, or a combination of robotics and AI, is children’s toys. With Christmas on the way, some are starting to show up on Santa’s to-do lists. Luvabella is “capable of learning on the fly and responds to human contact with up to 500 unique and changing responses.” She can also learn up to 200 words and there’s a boy doll version called Luvabeau, too. Barbie and Ken might just have a little AI-envy...
Robotic technology moves society forward in countless ways, and we’re always excited to see smart ways new technology helps all members of the family improve their quality of life.