Scientists have redesigned a robot vacuum cleaner to offer additional services in the home, such as charging mobile phones , watering plants and playing with pets. The idea arose from the observation that household robotic devices, such as vacuum cleaners, are typically used for less than two hours a day, but could be much more useful with some modifications.
Researchers from the University of Bath have modified a Roomba to perform a variety of tasks. Lead researcher Yoshiaki Shiokawasaid that these robots are usually thought of as single-function devices, but they could be useful in many everyday activities.
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Given that the home robot market was valued at $10.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to more than double by 2028, it is clear that these devices are gradually becoming an integral part of the daily lives of many households.
Anyone who has seen a robot vacuum cleaner navigate their way around a home knows that it can often struggle with even simple obstacles like carpets or loose cables, so the idea of assigning it more complex tasks can seem like a stretch.
However, researchers from the University of Bath and the University of Calgary are attempting to prove the opposite, by modifying and reprogramming the devices with relative ease to perform a much greater number of tasks.
In their study, they identified up to 100 different uses that robot vacuums could take on with minimal adaptations.
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To support their findings, they reprogrammed a robot to perform four new functions:
- To function as a mobile phone charger, following the user throughout the house.
- Project exercise videos on a wall or ceiling, thanks to a built-in projector.
- Allow remote control of the oven via live image, functioning as a mobile home camera.
- Move a digital "Do Not Disturb" sign to a predetermined location in the home, reducing potential interruptions or disturbances.
Mr Shiokawa, a doctoral researcher in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Bath, said the experiment demonstrates how, with a few changes, a robotic vacuum cleaner like the Roomba can take on multiple roles in the home environment.
"Most of the day they just... sit idle," he commented with disappointment.
He mentioned, of course, that implementing some of the new functions requires accessories that are not usually available to users, such as a wheelchair, a robotic arm, or even a helmet.
However, he stressed that it is time for people to raise their expectations for their smart home devices.
“We need to harness their potential beyond the obvious cleaning tasks, by training them to move precisely in space and perform a variety of auxiliary functions,” he explained.
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Study co-author Dr. Adwait Sharmaagreed with this position, noting that the long periods of inactivity of these devices indicate that more flexible and integrated robots that integrate more naturally into people's daily lives need to be developed.
This study is particularly interesting and indicative of the direction robotics: from narrowly specialized applications towards more multifunctional, flexible systems that are harmoniously integrated into everyday life. The idea of utilizing the “dead hours” of a robot’s operation for other useful tasks (such as charging devices or supporting exercise) is smart and viable.
Although the practical implementation of some uses is still somewhat experimental and beyond the capabilities of the average user, it paves the way for more personalized and efficient automation solutions home
Source: www.bbc.com
