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Domestic Robots – Do YOU trust them?

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7 in 10 Americans would totally trust a domestic robot to do their chores, according to Yahoo.

Yet, what about Brits? How do we feel about domestic robots?  

(A domestic Robot is an autonomous Robot that is primarily used for household chores)

Specops Software wanted to find out how we Brits felt about robots doing chores so surveyed 2,424 British consumers. They found out something quite the opposite to our American counterparts.

The survey consisted of the questions based on the characteristics of domestic robots. Specops wanted to identify the elements British people believe would make “ideal” robot for the home.

Some of their findings included:

  • 61% of people do not want domestic robots to read emotion
  • 88% of Brits would like the ability to modify their domestic robot
  • 39% of Brits would be likely to purchase a domestic robot, if available now
  • 82% of people would prefer a domestic robot with gender neutral characteristics
  • 82% of people do not want domestic robots to have access to personal, private data

So it looked like us Brits don’t like the idea of Robots doing our chores for us! With many of the statistics being based around privacy based concerns such as reading emotion and access to private personal data.

So, 77% of Brits do not want human-like robots in the home and: 

  • 61% of people do not want domestic robots to read emotion
  • 88% of Brits would like the ability to modify their domestic robot
  • 39% of Brits would be likely to purchase a domestic robot, if available now
  • 82% of people would prefer a domestic robot with gender neutral characteristics
  • 82% of people do not want domestic robots to have access to personal, private data

Domestic Robots Emotion

The most interesting statistic that Specops found was that 39% of Brits agree that it would be an asset for domestic robots to be able to read emotion. With the most favourable emotions ranking as most favourable to be read:

  1. Stress (60%)
  2. Fear (40%)
  3. Happiness (40%)

Functionality wise, 59% of Brits would like domestic robots to memorise what they see and do. While 41% would prefer robots forgot what they see and did instantly.

Aesthetics

But how do we want our robots to look? Well us Brits want domestic robots to look:

  1. Mechanical (65%)
  2. Be neutral in colour (53%)
  3. Have round, soft edges (29%)
  4. Be small and compact (53%)

While, a whopping 82% of people surveyed would like a domestic robot to have gender neutral characteristics (male 6% / female 12%)

We would also like to be able to modify the domestic robot if it were to exist (88%) most favourable modifications:

  • Ability to change its voice or noises (100%)
  •  Wipe its memory instantly (87%)
  • Download apps to increase its knowledge and performance (80%)
  • Extend or add different parts (60%)
  • Change its “skin” / outer casing (27%)
  • Zap or radiate when touched by something unknown (7%)

82% of us believe that the most effective use for a Robot is for security and surveillance.

Cleaning and use as a personal assistant came in a close second at 76%. Entertainment ranked 3rd at 65%, Cooking 53% in at 4th, companionship ranked 5th at 35%, furthermore guidance and advice 6th at  24%, healthcare  7th at 18% and Childcare came last at 6%


(Specops Software)

 

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HulkBot

HulkBot

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This is the Method 2 prototype, a massive robot from Gunpo, South Korea. It looks like ED 209 from Robocop. (Younger readers Google ED 209, then go watch the incredible movie Robocop movies from the 1980’s and 90’s! While they’re vintage, they’re amazing!) We’re coining it the HulkBot!

The guys from VICE went to Gunpo and tested out this giant mech bot. It’s made by a company called Hankook Mirae Technology and weighs 1 and a half tons and stands at a giant 13ft tall!

The reason as to why it looks like something out of a movie? Well, this super cool mech bot was designed in collaboration with a Hollywood designer.

Yang Jin-Ho is Hankook Mirae’s chairman and used a lot of his own money ($200m) to fund the Method-2 project and it’s called a bipedal robot.  The robot mimics a users arm movements and is kept upright by two metal cables attached to the ceiling. While this damages part of the fun and look of the Method-2, it certainly shows what can be created and can be used as a prototype for future versions of the Method-2.

Yang Jin-Ho told Vice: “It’s more likely it’ll be used in fires and disaster relief situations…But also find application in military operations.”

So, therefore even though it looks super cool, it’s not useable…..yet. In whatever form it takes, be it relief or military based, we’re certainly interested in the future of Method-2.

VICE

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Eufy

Eufy Robovac 11

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We feel that smart homes are going to be more common place in 2018 and beyond. With the introduction of Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home and of course Apple’s Siri, there’s always going to be something new that’s smart or designed to make your life easier. The Eufy Robovac 11 is the latter, an automated robotic vaccum cleaner that will clean your house with the click of a button. With that we were very impressed! We know that robotic vaccum cleaners have been around for some time, but the technology has come a long way!

Eufy Robovac 11

The Eufy Robovac can:

  • 78mm ride depth, allowing the Eufy Robovac to get into areas other vacuums can’t
  • Clean every nook and cranny with the use of versatile cleaning modes
  • 3 point cleaning system: Side brushes, rolling brushes and a powerful suction ensures a thorough clean:Dirt is loosened and  then extracted from the floor, which consequently is vacuumed into the dust collector.
  • 3 Cleaning modes: Edge, Spot and Max.
  • Clean for up to 1.5 hours due the the high-capacity li-on battery
  • Anti Scratch tempered glass cover for protection
  • Infared-sensor for obstacle evasion
  • Drop sensing tech to avoid falls and the ability to ride over rugs and uneven flooring (We were so impressed with this!)
  • Recharing automatically feature
  • Triple-Filter System: two regular filters and one high performance filter

We love the Eufy Robovac 11, the fact that it can clean autonomously is a wonderful little feature. We know that robotic vacuum cleaners have been out for some time now. But, we’ve never tested them ourselves. We wish we had tried them out sooner! We don’t think we’d hoover up without one now, it saves so much time! Especially the Eufy, a great little device!

 

To purchase your own Eufy Robovac 11 please click here! 

 

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Cozmo

Cozmo – Big Brain, Personality and SMART!

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Cozmo – Big Brain. Big Personality. SUPER Computer.

 

Anki's COZMO robot is the coolest little pal you'll know

Ever wanted your own Wall-E? Well, this little guy may be the answer to your robo-BFF dreams. Meet COZMO, a small robot with a fully fleshed out personality and tricked out with the coolest A.I. Just don’t expect him to listen to you all the time. Where’s the fun in that?Find out more about Cozmo and its maker Anki at https://www.anki.com/en-us/cozmoNow on sale!

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Thursday, 19 October 2017

 

We have reviewed some gadgets by Anki before and we were very impressed with what they had on offer. The upgraded, modernised version of scalextric, Anki Overdrive. Now they’ve moved into personal robots and introduced a tiny little robot called Cozmo. Don’t be fooled by it’s short size though, this little gadget packs an intelligent yet mean punch!

Made up of 300+ parts this little gadget has a big brain and can detect humans, even cats and dogs! Cozmo can even read your emotions and recognise the environment around him. Read Cozmo’s emotions right from the small screen acting as his face, coupled with a series of bleeps and technologic sounds it’ll be like having a mini conversation!

Have a bit of computer know how? Download the SDK kit off of Cozmo’s site and develop your own games and tasks for Cozmo!

So what can he do?

If you ever owned a tamagotchi you had to keep that little animal alive by feeding it and playing with it. Much like with a tamagotchi you have to to nurture your Cozmo to help it grow! By using the app you keep an eye on how well he is doing, feeling low? Feed him power cubes. Not performing to the best of his ability, run diagnostics to see if he needs a repair. While Cozmo may from time to time indicate that he is bored: play a game with him to cheer him up! Just try to beat him though if you do he may get upset. The more you play, the more you can upgrade and the more skills you can unlock.

Gameplay

Coz has a surprisingly large arsenal of games and features to keep both him and yourself entertained. He’ll sing if he’s bored and wants to play. He’ll raise his forks for a fist bump, though this is an upgrade skill. As stated earlier, Cozmo is incredibly aware  of you and it’s surroundings, you try and creep up on him with your finger and he’ll pounce!

Cozmo comes with a set of cubes that help to keep him busy. Using 1 cube, play keepaway with him, to well….keep the cube away! Put the cube close to him and pull away the cube before he drops his lift. He catches the cube he gets a point! Memory match is just like Simon if you’re old enough to remember. The cubes light up different colours and you take turns with Cozmo to remember and repeat the path. With Quicktap, both of you get a cube, the cube lights up and when it’s the same colour you have to beat Cozmo to tapping the cube. First player to tap their own cube wins.

It can see you, read your emotions, learn the world around him and plots quicker, easier ways to complete tasks. He’s almost human. He’s a supercomputer. As a result, we cannot call Cozmo a toy. He is far from it. Most of all though, he is a lot of fun!! So Cozmo is not just for children!

In Conclusion……

We fully recommend you him out , most of all we cannot reiterate enough that it isn’t just a toy. It’s far far faaaar to intelligent to be a toy. It’s a supercomputer and we can’t wait to see what the space of smart tech brings in the future.

To buy a one please click here!

To listen to the latest show please click here! 

 

Kuri

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Kuri is a personal home robot that entertains and even helps around the house, you can even speak to Kiri and the more you speak to him the more the robot learns to understand what you would like from him!

  • Your adorable home robot becomes your personal videographer, automatically sending you a magical daily dose of short ‘life at home’ videos you’ll love, so you’ll never miss a moment.
  • Kuri cruises around your home effortlessly, smartly avoiding obstacles. And rougher terrain, such as carpets and thresholds, won’t hold him up.
  • Kuri quickly learn your home’s floor plan, where stairs are, and which room belongs to whom. Kuri learns the rhythm of your household, can wake you in time for work, and greet you when you come home at night!
  • Kuri speaks robot. It’s a purposeful language of friendly beeps and bloops that are fun to learn. The more you interact with him, the more you will understand
  • Kuri’s array of four directional microphones makes him an excellent listener, and allows him to respond to your voice commands.
  • Kuri’s powerful speakers allow you listen to your favorite songs, podcasts, or audiobooks, wherever you are in the house. From morning music to bedtime stories for the kids, Kuri helps your house sound alive.
  • Whether you’re reviewing the day’s video adventures, or streaming Kuri’s view real-time to your phone, Kuri’s app keeps you connected to your home and life at home.

(Kuri)

Pre-Order Kuri here!

Hexa Robot

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HEXA

Check out the super cool HEXA robot by Vincross!Music Credit: Mate Lyons – Instrumental Hip Hop soundcloud.com/lyonsss/instrumental-hip-hop

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Wednesday, 23 August 2017

HEXA is a brand new 6 legged highly maneuverable compact robot that comes complete with a ton of sensors, when companioned with the MIND robotics OS/SDK it allows users, even if they aren’t complete computing whizz’s, they can create interesting robotic functions with HEXA.The robots optical and spatial sensors allow it to watch and learn the world around it, it even includes a 720p camera with night vision, and accelerometer, distance measuring sensors and an infrared transmitter.

By using the MIND eco-system, you can build a ton of different techniques for your HEXA robot to understand such as learning the location of your hand and responding to specific hand gestures or even using HEXA to survey buildings from the ground in hard to reach places.

To learn more about HEXA please click here!

 

Robot Caregivers?

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Elderly people in Japan are dealing with social isolation and loneliness are at an increased risk of ailments, such as cardiovascular disease and elevated blood pressure. It is here where Robots are stepping in to provide company for the aging. They are designed for the elderly who live alone rather than a care facility.

Support robots are springing up in Japan, with the robotic industry expected to boom to nearly $4bn annually by 2035, with the current generation of support robots within 3 categories, serving and fetching, communications and emotional support.

Such as the Take Care-o-bot from Fraunhofer IPA. This robot has been deployed in a number of German assisted living facilities, is able to grab food and drinks and keep them entertained with games, to keep their minds sharp.

Honda’s Asimo Robot can jump (and not fall downstairs) and even use sign language, with their research team hoping that Asmio will serve as a gofer for people with limited mobility to complete tasks such as fetching glass of water or turn off a light switch.

The Dinslow ($2500) from CT Asia Robotics acts as a personal assistant, reminding users to take pills, tracks health and even answers calls from family and doctors, the Dinslow Mini, it’s smaller version of the Dinslow, sits on a night stand of bedridden patients.

The MiRo is a robot dog, that is a companion but also does the stuff like regulate pill regime and appoint reminders. MiRo’s designer, Sebastian Conran, told The Guardian:

“It tries talking to you (asking if you’re alright)…….then it will send a signal to the hub saying there seems to be a problem. The hub will then broadcast on the home speaker, asking again if you’re all right, and telling you to slap your wrist.” That refers to a biometric sensing wristband that the user wears which tracks their vitals……..If you slap your wrist the process will stop but will be logged…….if you don’t slap your wrist it will… go to a carer, who can see your heart rate and body temperature, and rewind your life using the cameras in the home to see what happened. So when the ambulance gets there, they’ll know what they’re working with.”

It hasn’t come without it’s criticisms though with Susan Madlung, gerontologist and Clinical Educator for Regional Programs and Home Health Re-Design at Vancouver Coastal Health, told AgingCare, feeling that it may take several generations before people are comfortable being cared for by a robot:

“Social isolation of seniors is a significant concern amongst gerontologists and caregivers alike. Robot care, in my mind, would only compound that issue…Although robots might seem like a good response to the growing need for caregivers, I could see this as being quite detrimental to the emotional and psychosocial well being of anyone, not just seniors……Humans need humans.”

Episode 245 Major KEYone!

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Robot Volleyball???

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Japan have created a team of robot volleyball players to help their national women’s volleyball team to improve their game, by creating a team of opponents that mimic the actions of blockers. (Players who jump close to the net with their arms above their heads and stretched out wide) They can even programme them with play similar to their opponents!

The three pairs of robotic arms move left and right along a track at a speed slightly faster than that of a human player and whilst impressive the robots can only move along a pre-determined line and don’t react according to what is happening in front of them. However developers are working to make this a reality by incorporating motion sensors into the robots.

To listen to the guys chatting about this please click here!

Robots making Robot babies!

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There is a real possibility that we will soon see Robots not only making other robots but designing them too. A report by Global Futurist has stated that this act of robots making other robots is called “Generative Design” and we will see a future where products and services are created and designed by robots themselves in some sort of scary, but also cool, Robot Circle of life.

For more information check out the video below!

To listen to the guys chatting about this click here!