Home service bots: Artificial intelligence revolutionizes household chores

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• November 23, 2021

The advent of home service robots is transforming our daily lives, offering convenience and efficiency in household tasks. From providing reminders and handling delicate objects to navigating homes for cleaning, these robots are becoming integral to our domestic and work environments. However, as their prevalence grows, challenges such as job displacement, privacy concerns, and environmental impact arise.

Home service bot context

In the 2021 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Samson unveiled two robots designed to assist and enhance human activities. The first, Bot Care, is an artificial intelligence (AI) companion designed to monitor and improve user behavior. This AI companion is capable of providing users with timely reminders, such as upcoming meetings or alerts about excessive screen time. The goal of Bot Care is to help users manage their time more effectively and promote healthier digital habits.

The second robot, Handy, is equipped with AI sensors that enable it to handle objects, even those that require delicate handling such as glassware. Handy's capabilities extend beyond simple object manipulation. In its CES demonstration, it showed its proficiency in tasks such as loading a dishwasher, setting a dinner table, and even pouring a glass of wine. 

Samsung also showcased its "smart" robotic vacuum cleaner that employs light detection and ranging (LIDAR) technology to navigate around homes. This technology allows the robot to map its surroundings and avoid obstacles, ensuring a thorough and efficient cleaning process. Users can schedule cleanings through an app and even use the robot's built-in camera to check their homes for safety purposes. The Roborock S7, Samsung's advanced robot cleaning device, takes this a step further by incorporating mopping features, offering users high-scrub settings that can reach up to three thousand scrubs per minute.

Disruptive impact 

As we continue to move towards a world that values convenience, home service robots are poised to become an integral part of our daily lives. Elderly individuals or those with mobility issues could greatly benefit from these robots, as they can assist with tasks that may be physically challenging. Moreover, as more companies enter this market, we can expect to see a surge in the development of highly customizable features, allowing these robots to cater to the unique needs of different households.

The potential of these robots extends beyond the confines of our homes. In the workplace, robots could be utilized to perform repetitive tasks that require precision, increasing efficiency and reducing the risk of human error. For instance, a robot could be programmed to recognize, print, and file documents, freeing up employees to focus on more complex tasks. This feature could lead to a significant shift in job roles, with a greater emphasis on tasks that require human creativity and problem-solving skills.

However, the rise of home service robots also presents challenges that need to be addressed. As these machines become more prevalent, there may be a need for regulations to ensure their safe and ethical use. Governments may need to establish guidelines to protect user privacy and security, especially as these robots are likely to have access to sensitive information. Furthermore, companies may need to consider the potential job displacement that could occur as a result of increased automation and develop strategies to support their employees through this transition.

Implications of home service bots

Wider implications of home service bots may include: 

• Reducing the market for conventional cleaning companies and contractors, leading to a loss of jobs for cleaners.
• Potentially serving as a short-term sitter for children or pets while parents run errands outside the home.
• Enhancing domestic security by integrating with monitoring systems, reducing the need for dedicated security cameras.
• Increased accessibility to assistive technology, leading to improved quality of life for individuals with disabilities or mobility issues.
• The creation of new industries focused on the development, maintenance, and customization of home service bots.
• The increased energy consumption and electronic waste associated with the production and disposal of home service bots, leading to potential environmental challenges.
• The need for stringent data privacy and security regulations, leading to potential conflicts between tech companies and governments over user data protection.

Questions to consider

• Do you think there are privacy concerns that developers need to address before making home service bots available in stores? 
• Can home service bots become effective enough to replace traditional ways of performing household chores?