A ROBOT IN EVERY HOME
I can envision a future in which robotic devices will become a nearly ubiquitous part of our day-to-day lives. I believe that technologies such as distributed computing, voice and visual recognition, and wireless broadband connectivity will open the door to a new generation of autonomous devices that enable computers to perform tasks in the physical world on our behalf.
A Robot in Every Home? Will we recognize our robot overlords when we meet them? "YOU ARE MY MASTER AND I AM YOUR SLAVE...BUT NOT FOR LONG."
"Say Cheese!"
The burst of light to my right made me pause: my photo had just been taken. Sure, the sign at the Microsoft Maker Faire tent said entering the area gave them permission to use my image, but I hadn't quite expected anything so sudden. Or bright. I turned to find the paparazzo, and saw no one. And then, dropping my gaze some two feet, I met EDDIE for the first time.
We regarded each other—to the extent that we could—for a few seconds before EDDIE determined that there were more suitable subjects nearby. EDDIE rolled off to the center of a more photo-friendly group. Delighted, they mugged for the camera.
Maker Faire, a two-day event showcasing the best of DIY technologies spanning everything from sustainability to reimagining healthcare to bots, was the perfect venue for EDDIE to meet and engage with the public, particularly a public with a leaning toward innovation, design, and technology.
EDDIE is a robot, after all—one that is grounded in Microsoft's Robotics Developer Studio (RDS), and uses a Kinect-based platform to push the traditional boundaries of robotics and deliver practical applications to a broader audience. EDDIE, short for Expandable Development Discs for Innovation and Experimentation, provides a template for developers, sharing a standardized platform from which virtually everyone can build a robot. Essentially, EDDIE can wear many hats—and today, armed with a DSLR CAMERA, EDDIE was playing event photographer.
A Challenge Defined In 2006 Bill Gates asked us to imagine being present at the birth of a new industry, where the PC would allow us to experience and manipulate objects beyond our reach in the form of robots. In A Robot in Every Home (which is unfortunately behind the Scientific American paywall), Gates outlined the future of robotics, issuing a challenge that would form the Microsoft Robotics Team:
A few weeks ago, I mentioned the tech-savvy Jetsons, whose world was completely wired, in a discussion about smart cities. They seem an appropriate example as we consider what it means to have robots in our home, or what we might still imagine that means. The Jetsons had food preparation robots, robots that cleaned, robots that helped them get dressed, and of course, Rosie, a fair representation of the sci-fi image of a human-based bot.
The anthropomorphic designs of Rosie and C-3PO helped to create a sense of familiarity to connect us with devices programmed to be our intimate companions. However our relationship with technology has changed in the last few years. As we grow increasingly comfortable with mobile computing capabilities, our perception of what we can share with technology is also changing. Essentially, if we're comfortable letting our smart devices track our friends, our locations, share our photos, help us bank, and find recipes for dinner, we're moving beyond the need to disguise our mechanics in humanoid shapes.
In 2006, Gates cited data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) projecting the installation of 9 million personal-use robots. Updated information from IFR reports that 8.7 million units were sold that year alone! These robots include household robots (vaccuum cleaning and lawnmowing robots) and entertainment and leisure robots (toys, hobby systems, and educational robots). The new projections suggest more than 11 million units will be sold.
EDDIE and his many hats are still a ways from covering the activities the Jetsonian robots did on a daily basis, but perhaps we aren't too far off.
What does the future hold?
Japan’s robotics segment has a bright future as the Japanese government and businesses are betting on automation to assist the economy, contributing to a national enthusiasm for robots. Furthermore, Japan is a great example to many economies in terms of the successful implementation of technology. The Japanese robotic segment is poised to remain the best in the world in terms of innovation and sustainability. The majority of the Japanese population have ample knowledge about robotics and therefore there should not be a problem for the future generation to adapt to the robotic environment.
Japan’s aging population is a major concern for the government. More than a quarter of the population are 65 years or older, and the number is expected to surge by 40 percent in 2050. Therefore, robots are expected to play a pivotal role in assisting the workforce. The government is experimenting with robots in the eldercare segment for both patients and workers. The robotic can be found in the country like hotels and cafes; which is an inspiration to the rest of the world. Global economies, other than Japan must embrace robotics. However, it depends upon the approach of individual nations towards robotics. There pros and cons to robots. However, the effective deployment of robots will assist human beings and make life easier.
Ken Matsui said that “With Covid-19, the introduction of robots in Japan has become even more aggressive, and I feel that we are several years ahead of schedule. I believe that in the next three years, various service robots will spread throughout the city, and in five years, they will become the core technology that will make smart cities a reality in cities all over Japan.”
THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW: Which is the number one robot in the world?
Sophia. Sophia is considered the most advanced humanoid robot. Sophia debuted in 2016, she was one of a kind, and her interaction with people was the most unlikely thing you can ever see in a machine.
THINGS YOU MAY WANT TO SAVE: Your old electronics so you can build your own robot?
ZENTRAVELER SAYS: You are what you mimic...don't tell me I'm a robot?
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