Humans and robots interacting on a daily basis has long been fodder for sci-fi films and TV shows. For as long as I can remember, humanity has had a fascination with intelligent robots capable of managing day-to-day tasks. But such things are no longer the stuff of wild imaginations. As artificial intelligence (AI) and smart home tech get better, we are inching ever closer to a whole new class of societal members: the robot class.
Whether you prefer the term ‘robots’ or ‘droids’, they are on the way. We already have rudimentary robots capable of automatically mowing the lawn or vacuuming the carpets. In manufacturing and industry, the current state of robotics is significantly more mature. Just look at Amazon. It employs a heavy dose of robots in most of its distribution centers.
Robots for the Home
Things like robotic vacuum cleaners and warehouse robots capable of moving cargo around are fairly easy to build these days. Such robots are single task machines whose movements can be easily choreographed. When it comes to robots for the home though, we are not content with robotic lawnmowers and vacuum cleaners. We want actual assistants to help us manage our homes.
What we want is something like Star Wars’ C-3PO – an intelligent robot that can walk, talk, and think for itself. We want robots with which we can interact just as if they were humans. It is a tall order, but not impossible to achieve. And yes, companies are already working on it.
Apple is the latest giant in the tech universe to reveal its interest in home robotics. A recent report suggests the company has a dedicated robotics team busily working on integrating hardware and software capable of powering highly functional robots for the home.
As is normally the case, Apple has been tight lipped about the details. We will only know exactly what they are working on when they choose to launch their first device for mass production. Meanwhile, scores of other tech companies around the world are more open about robotics development.
What It Could Mean for Home Automation
So, what could all this mean for home automation? It could mean that we finally get to live among an entire class of robots built and designed to help us manage our homes.
Right now, a consumer can invest in a brand like Vivint Smart Home to set up a system with smart lighting, temperature control, irrigation, and so forth. Devices can be integrated with exciting technologies like geofencing. And even with current capabilities, such systems can do amazing things.
As robotics mature however, what future systems can do will make today’s systems look fairly rudimentary. Right now, you might speak to a smart speaker to adjust lighting throughout your house. But years from now, you might not have to utter a word. You will have a robot that constantly pays attention to activity in the home and adjusts lighting on-the-fly.
The Human Factor
What intrigues me most about home automation and robotics is integrating machines with the human factor. We do not have to have robots that walk, talk, and act like humans. But creating machines with a human aesthetic makes them easier for us to accept and interact with. This is why something like a C-3PO is so attractive.
There is no telling how long it will be before household robots live among us. But they are coming. It is only a matter of time. And when they arrive, the typical American household will not look anything like it does today. You decide if that’s good or bad.
