Cute, sweater-wearing android can help carry heavier objects

Whenever I write about robots, I cannot help but think about all the horror scenarios that I’ve seen in sci-fi movies and TV shows when they become our overlords after overthrowing abusive humans. But obviously, not all robots are scary in reality or at least we haven’t reached that point yet. There are also some cute and cuddly robots out there, both in pop culture and in real life. This new innovation from Toyota belongs to that latter category but it combines both hard and soft robotics.

Designer: Toyota

Punyo is the newest robot from Toyota but instead of looking like your typical robots that carry heavy things for us, it looks more like that adorable Baymax from Disney’s Big Hero 6. It’s even wearing a “sweater” that is actually functional as it actually enhances the robot’s capability to carry various things. Normally, robots just use their hands and their claw-like “fingers” but Punyo uses its chest, hips, arms – its entire body actually) to lift objects. This means it is able to carry heavier objects since it uses whole-body manipulation.

The arms of Punyo are made of air-filled bladders that can interact with different kinds of objects. Instead of the usual grippers we see on robots’ hands, there are high-friction latex bubbles as its “paws”. There are even internal cameras that are able to estimate the force that it needs to exert to carry whatever object it is holding. Inside the “sweater”, there are the usual robotic parts like rigid arms, a torso frame, and a waist actuator.

The name Punyo actually comes from the Japanese concept of “softness, cuteness, and resilience”. Combining the soft and hard robotics, as well as using teleoperation and artificial intelligence learning processes to train the android, gives us a holistic kind of robot that will not scare us but instead will be a helpful and friendly companion when it eventually becomes mass-produced. Hopefully, they will not be cute robot overlords.

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Airseekers Revolutionizes Lawn Care: A Robotic Mower with Unmatched Features

A quick search on Amazon for a robotic lawn mower will net countless results, but will I buy one right now? The short answer is no. Continue reading for the long answer and why I’m leaning towards the ultimate robotic mulch and lawn mower from Airseekers. To understand why, we need to break down key components: vision, wheels, blades, and the AI brain powering the Airseekers.

Designer: Airseekers

Painful issues with modern-day robotic lawnmowers

One of the biggest issues I’ve experienced with other robotic lawnmowers is how the mower has to be set up with an antenna base station that requires a direct line of sight to satellites orbiting above our planet. It depends on the brand, so each implements different technologies, allowing the robotic lawn mower to track its position. This pain point is a showstopper for me. My yard isn’t massive, but it’s big enough, and the complications compound with any robotic mowers I’ve tested – it has to do with the thirty-three oak trees spanning across a corner lot.

AI and cameras together solve the unreliable navigation systems used by others

So, how has Yue Hu, the founder of Airseekers, solved this problem? By eliminating the need for an antenna altogether. The unit is truly autonomous to move about thanks to the 5-camera Air Vision. The navigation system consists of three panoramic lenses and dual depth-perception cameras.

The three panoramic cameras function similarly to how we use our eyes to see. The left and right cameras allow Airseekers to see both sides, similar to how we turn our heads left and right. The system as a whole works together in conjunction with the AI engine to determine the current position and identify obstacles, people, and pets, which it will automatically navigate to avoid hitting.

Moreover, the Air Vision system captures extensive visual data from various angles for precise, centimeter-level positioning. This reduces errors from weak satellite signals and continuously processes environmental data, even in areas with dense foliage or under eaves. Its stability is maintained on uneven terrain and is resilient to lens obstruction caused by dirt or camera movement.

Smooth operator

My robotic vacuum cleaner remembers the precise location where it stopped cleaning when the battery runs low, runs back to the base to charge up and then resumes cleaning at the very spot it was in previously. That’s exactly what Airseekers is capable of, using the navigation system and countless images that it takes and stores in the memory bank. Speaking of images, you can even submit pictures of you, your pet, and anyone else to the system via the app on your phone. This is a significant feature, in my opinion, due to theft prevention. If the system identifies a person it doesn’t recognize, it notifies you via the app and automatically shuts down and locks up. This same safety feature also kicks in when it’s removed from the invisible geofence you set up during your initial setup.

There’s also the option to use your cellular SIM card to track the positioning if you want peace of mind. Otherwise, if your wifi signal is strong enough, it should also do the job, according to Hu. Note that using your cellular sim card is only an option, not a requirement, since many of us don’t have an extra active sim card lying around.

The AI has been fed with countless images of everything that it could potentially encounter. So, circling back to the cameras, it can identify the edge of your yard, preventing itself from veering off course and slamming into the pavement. Hu assured me that there shouldn’t be any training required at all when you first use Airseekers, but if it makes you feel better, you can walk it around the edge of the yard, around trees and bushes once, and it’ll commit the pattern to memory.

Airseekers’ AI self-mapping technology streamlines lawn care by eliminating the need for perimeter wires, manual controls, and RTK base stations. Utilizing panoramic perception and Vslam technology, it generates a detailed 3D map of your yard. The intelligent app automatically defines lawn boundaries and cutting zones, simplifying mowing.

For added security measures, there’s a sensor or “bumper” located in the front to sense objects with which it comes in contact.

The Airseekers comes equipped with a motor powerful enough to allow it to climb hills up to a 65% slope and effortlessly traverse uneven terrain. This feature is essential for maintaining a lawn with varying elevation degrees. Its high-torque motors and the 30-degree inward design of its omnidirectional wheels facilitate smooth turns and confident movement in any terrain, so there’s no need to worry about the mower getting stuck – now I wish I could say the same for my robotic vacuum cleaner.

The Airseekers have a special feature called the FlowCut Mowing System. This system ensures your grass has neat edges. It does this by sucking the grass up straight, then cutting it inside a U-shaped chamber. This incredible Vacuum-Cut-Mulch system and double mowing power chops up the grass clippings into tiny pieces. These pieces then go into the ground and act as fertilizer. This process keeps your lawn looking tidy and also helps the soil by adding natural nutrients.

Other notable features include Automated Lawn Maintenance, Rainfall Auto-Detecting, and Real-Time Monitoring and alerts. The Automated Lawn Maintenance ensures your lawn is consistently taken care of, whereas the Rainfall Auto-Detecting feature prevents the mower from operating under unfavorable weather conditions. I wouldn’t say I like to mow the grass when it’s wet; I do it more to protect the grass blades. The Real-Time Monitoring and alerts inform you about the mower’s operational status.

Lastly, Hu shared with Yanko Design that in the next near final prototype, Airseekers should have a user-replaceable battery which is located in the bottom rear. For someone with a larger yard, being able to replace the battery immediately is priceless. However, if you’re like me and just too lazy and want the Airseekers to do all the work, it’s smart enough to know when to return to the base station and charge up before running out of juice. After sufficient charge, it resumes for another three hours of mowing away.

I’m impressed with the design elements and advanced technology, especially the custom-shaped blades that allow a clean cut. I can’t wait to have this impressive machine roaming my yard.

Designer: Airseekers Robotics

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Two-wheeled autonomous robots are designed to keep your premises secure

Having a human patrol the premises that you want to protect is probably the most common security protocol. However, it is still not fool proof and is prone to error and may cost you a lot if you pay an agency or the security personnel directly. Installing security cameras is also another option but can also be expensive. So if you’re going to spend a lot, why not spend it on a robot?

Designer: Ascento

A Zurich-based company has come up with the Ascento Guard, a robot that can patrol your premises autonomously but with more features than your surveillance system. It is a two-wheeled guard that is able to spot intruders, check on doors and windows, monitor the premises, and record property lights. Once it detects an unusual incident, it sends an alarm so a human can go to the area and do what needs to be done. So yes, human intervention is still needed.

The robot comes with thermal and infrared cameras to record and detect incidents, speakers, a microphone, and GPS tracking. It can run at speeds of up to 5 km/hour if fully charged. It has two large wheels and a robot-looking body that seems to have eyes that can stare into your soul. It is equipped with a fall recovery feature so that it can easily move around all kinds of areas and terrains. It can also weather any kind of, well, weather as it is water proof.

As mentioned earlier, there is still a human element needed in case of an incident. So don’t worry that robots like these will eventually replace actual guards. But it is an alternative or a supplement to your security system if needed. I’m still scared that things like these will eventually become our overlords but hopefully companies like these have thought of ways to make sure that the robot uprising will not happen anytime soon.

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Unitree’s Second-Gen Robot Dog Companion Opens Up For Pre-Orders : Meet the Go2

Chinese tech company Unitree has once again amazed the world of robotics with the launch of its second-generation robot dog companion, the Go2. This remarkable robotic creation is designed to follow you around at jogging speeds, perform impressive gymnastic feats, and even engage in conversation using a GPT-enabled system that can write code on the fly.

Designer: Unitree

The Unitree Go2 stands at a compact 40 cm (16 inches) tall and weighs approximately 15 kg (33 lb). It’s sturdy aluminum and high-strength plastic chassis can carry more than half its own weight as payload, making it a versatile companion for various tasks. The robot dog has advanced sensors, including super wide-angle LiDAR and HD cameras, allowing it to map and navigate its surroundings in real-time. This enables the Go2 to walk alongside its owner, avoiding obstacles and adapting to challenging terrains like stairs and rocks. It can run for an hour or two on a battery charge.

One of the most impressive features of the Go2 is its athletic capabilities. With motors that boast 30% more torque than the previous model, the Go2 can perform jaw-dropping jumps, backflips, and even dance on two crossed-over legs. Its exceptional balance allows it to stand on its front two legs and gracefully navigate downstairs.

The Pro model of the Go2 also incorporates a GPT-enabled speech engine, allowing users to have natural language conversations with the robot. Beyond just understanding and responding to verbal requests, the robot attempts to write code for itself, interpreting the user’s intentions and seeking ways to be helpful. While the practical utility of this feature may be limited at the current stage, it showcases the potential for more advanced interactions in the future.

The Go2’s pricing starts at $1,600 for the base model, capable of reaching speeds of 5.6 mph (9 km/h), while the Pro model, priced at $2,800, can go up to 7.8 mph (12.6 km/h). However, the total cost is slightly higher when factoring in additional fees such as the $400 shipping charge and a 25% duty for orders in the USA. Despite this, the Go2 offers an affordable alternative to Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot dog, which costs significantly more, around $75,000.

While the Go2 presents a novel and technologically advanced robotic companion, it may still find its most prominent user base among individuals seeking entertainment and attention. Its ability to capture selfies and pick up items with its robotic arm may be considered practical features. Still, the true allure of the Go2 lies in its entertaining and attention-grabbing capabilities. The capabilities of helping around the house or around with chores are limited as it’s seen replacing getting a glass of water for a quirky dance.

For those seeking an additional layer of security, the Go2 can serve as a guard for your home, showcasing its potential for safety purposes. It can also be helpful for carrying items around and assisting with chores. The absence of the need for constant attention and its self-replicating capabilities add to its appeal as a convenient companion. With user authorization, via OTA Upgrades, the Go2 robot keeps improving and evolving to be smarter as the robot automatically connects to a cloud-based OTA service to upgrade its own programs to continuously improve the user experience.

However, as remarkable as the Go2 is, it cannot replace the innocence and loyalty of conventional pets. Pets often win our hearts with their quirks and acts of loyalty, something that robots may struggle to replicate fully. Nonetheless, the Go2 can coexist with traditional pets, providing a different set of advantages and becoming a complementary addition to the household.

Unitree’s Go2 robot dog represents a significant advancement in robotic companionship, combining agility, conversation, and helpfulness in an affordable package. While it may not replace the charm of a living, breathing pet, it undoubtedly brings a unique blend of technological wonders and entertainment value to those who embrace it. As we continue to witness the evolution of robotics and AI, the Go2 showcases a promising glimpse of the future of human-robot interaction.

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This Musculoskeletal robot dog is the upgrade that makes your robot pet dream more realistic

There are some people who are born to be fur parents, specifically to puppies and dogs. But there are also those who for one reason or another, whether allergies or living situations, cannot have an actual pet. Probably the next best thing to get is a virtual pet although that doesn’t seem to bring the same comfort as having an actual dog. Maybe the next best thing would be to get a dog-inspired robot, if you’re not scared of them one day becoming your robot overlord (although actual dogs can also be overlords).

Designer: Hengzhi Future Team

We’ve seen some robot dogs in the market but there’s still room for improvement in terms of mobility and functionality. Sparky is a new robot dog designed by a Chinese consumer robotic company and it says that it’s able to be more “realistic” in terms of movement and even the musculature of the animal that inspired it. Well, even though it’s meant to be a dog, their inspiration for the movement is based on various wildlife like horses and ostriches. The final look is meant to still be all canine though.

They studied how the limbs of these real animals moved and then incorporated them into modular connecting rods using an AIA actuator motor unit. The final result is that these musculoskeletal limbs lets Sparky be able to run, jump, and play just like a real dog, or at least the closest that a robot dog is able to do so. However, don’t expect it to be as cuddly as dogs since it’s actually made from metal. You get a shiny and sleek finish that may seem unnatural at first.

This robot dog is meant to be an alternative to a pet for those who cannot afford to keep a dog. It comes with a built-in camera and microphone so it can interact with its owners. It has an AI system that can understand commands and even “talk” with the people around it. You also get a remote control or a dedicated app that lets you control your metal pet and customize it according to what you may need in a four-legged companion.

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Boston Dynamics’ designed Atlas can now lift up heavy equipment (and still parkour)

Maybe it comes from watching all these sci-fi series and movies but I still have this fear that years or decades into the future, our robot overlords will rebel and make us humans their slaves. Seeing robots that use artificial intelligence and basically behave like people do not alleviate that fear. Of course that’s just the crazy in me and I know that the robotics industry is doing a lot of interesting and helpful things. We’ll see more advanced prototypes and eventually products that will hopefully not overthrow the human race.

Designer: Boston Dynamics

The Atlas robot was unveiled back in 2021, showing off its parkour and acrobatic moves which are impressive for a robot. Boston Dynamics posted a new video of the more advanced version of this robot and this time it is able to carry around things which will make it more useful for things like factories, construction, even airline baggage handling. Its “hands” are able to pick up objects and then toss them to wherever you program it. It is designed for “heavy lifting tasks” so it will be useful mostly for logistics.

The “hands” of the Atlas robot are actually made up of one fixed finger and a moving finger that are more like a gripper. The video shows the robot throwing a bag of tools to its owner but the lead up to that final action is pretty impressive. It’s able to pick up a plank of wood to help it go up to the scaffolding where he eventually throws up the forgotten bag. And of course, just to show off, it does a few more parkour moves after delivering the package.

The robot is still in the prototype stage and is mainly used for research by Boston Dynamics. But from what we’ve seen in the videos so far, this is very promising for industries that involve tasks like lifting heavy equipment. Well, as long as they do not eventually rise up against its owners, this is something that we can look forward to when it becomes available for businesses and commercial use.

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Smiling, friendly robots can delivery your packages more conveniently

One of the changes that happened during the pandemic is that we’re now over-reliant on courier services to send our packages, whether same day deliveries or days-later shipping. I mean sure, we did that before the pandemic, but during the two years when we couldn’t see each other much, we relied on these services to get our packages to get where they need to without our intervention. So now we’re also seeing some innovations in the logistics industry and soon enough, we might even see robots doing the job.

Designer: Minwook Jang

Co-op or Cooperation Delivery Robot is a concept for a futuristic society where robots will be the ones delivering our packages, whether they’re small or large packages. It’s actually a modular design where the number of robots working together depends on the size of the parcel and the number of packages that will be delivered in a certain area. It uses the idea of cluster driving as it goes to one area and once the delivery has been completed, it returns to the hub together.

The robots look like those roving machines in the mall and airport that you can ask for directions or information but instead of the LED screens, you get a space for the packages. The design makes it look like the robot is smiling or at the very least friendly. It uses a camera sensor with a light on the front for night driving. There’s also an emergency stop button in the rear so users can press it in case there’s an emergency or there’s a need to stop the robot manually.

I’m not really sure how these robots can function on a main road with all the cars, trucks, and other vehicles that will be riding alongside or going around it. It may work in roads that don’t have a lot of vehicular traffic but automated vehicles are still not a big part of a lot of cities for now. It’s a good idea as a concept so maybe we’ll see something like this in a few years time. I’m still not ready to have robot overlords though so hopefully that will not be happening anytime soon.

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The viral Xiaomi robotic dog posed to be an affordable challenge to Boston Dynamic’s Spot just released new images + sketches!

Quadruped robots hit the scene in 1976 and since then, they’ve been used for everything from unsafe forensic and governmental tasks such as bomb-sniffing and mine surveying to clinical tasks like connecting with patients to provide remote medical attention.

Quadruped technology is the talk of the robotics world. Four-legged robots are relied on by industries across the world for tasks that require a stable walking gait and agile mobility. Xiaomi, a Chinese tech company, recently unveiled more 3D renders of their own Quadruped robotic creation, CyberDog.

Currently, the bio-inspired, four-legged robot has been engineered as a robotic companion whose future technical capabilities are still in development. In a recent press release from Xiaomi, it’s said that CyberDog comes complete with “AI interactive cameras [and sensors], binocular ultra-wide-angle fisheye cameras, and Intel ® RealSense™ D450 Depth module, and can be trained with its computer vision algorithm.”

CyberDog’s external interface features an array of camera sensors. CyberDog’s involved vision sensor system allows the robot to carve out its own navigational map and analyze its surrounding environment in real-time, allowing it to look toward a destination and avoid physical barriers on the way. Currently, CyberDog’s integrated software allows the quadruped robotic companion to operate like a real dog.

Inspired by the pet-like nature of canines, CyberDog also features built-in smart technology that allows posture and facial recognition, which means CyberDog can even follow its owner around like a real dog. Xiaomi filled CyberDog with 11 high-precision sensors that allow the robot to register, analyze, and interact with its surrounding environment. With a maximum torque output and rotation speed up to 32N·m/220Rpm, CyberDog can move at speeds up to 3.2 m/s.

Syberdog also comes with 3 type-C ports and 1 HDMI port so users can attach hardware add-ons, Xiaomi describes, “be it a search light, panoramic camera, motion camera, LiDAR, or more.” In addition to its integrated biometric technology, CyberDog responds to voice commands like assigning tasks or operation control. Alternatively, users can manage CyberDog’s movement and direction via accompanying remote control or smartphone applications.

Expanding on CyberDog’s technical and managerial potential, a “rich external interface” includes 3 type-C ports and 1 HDMI port, allowing users to attach hardware add-ons or software systems to make acute improvements to CyberDog’s existing technology. On CyberDog’s ability to register commands, Xiaomi notes, “CyberDog can be called on for the most unique tasks, and the ways in which it can be interacted with holds unforetold possibilities.”

Designer: Xiaomi

Rubber bottomed feet allow CyberDog to move around rugged terrain and indoor settings alike.

Hinged limbs allow CyberDog to move just like a canine animal.

CyberDog can even do push-ups. Only half-kidding. It can do push-ups, thanks to its 220 rpm32N-m maximum torque.

Soft rubber bottoms allow for soft and nimble treading.

11 high-precision sensors fill out CyberDog’s internal wiring that give CyberDog the power to understand, analyze, and interact with its environment.

CyberDog comes equipped with voice command technology and facial recognition software so it can follow humans around and respond to tasks like a real canine might.

CyberDog can conduct high-speed movements up to 3.2 m/s.

These AI-enabled product designs for your home are the Tesla of robots!

AI is gaining momentum like never before! Most gadgets and tech designs these days are being powered by AI. These AI-enabled products are intelligent and self-sufficient devices that help make our lives a whole lot easier. And especially when it comes to appliances for our home, most people are opting for designs that are backed by AI. From a lawnmower that can identify her own path and any objects on her path, to an AI-enabled robot dog, we’ve curated a whole collection of innovative, nifty, and super functional AI helpers. These little helpers promise to assist you in almost all your household chores and duties, making your everyday life easier and simpler!

Powered by the kind of AI you’d find in autonomous vehicles (with 4K cameras and sensors that can accurately identify objects in her path), the Toadi is practically the Tesla of lawnmowers. Designed to work less like a robot and more like a living organism, the Toadi reinvents a category that hasn’t seen a significant-tech upgrade… and yes, Toadi is a ‘her’. The Toadi uses 4K cameras to ‘see’ the way humans do. She accurately differentiates between grass, gravel, cemented paths, and even identifies and avoids objects like animals, toys, flower-beds, and fences. Using a sensing and tracking system that’s much more superior to the LiDAR sensors and GPS chips found in home-cleaning robots, the Toadi effortlessly moves around the lawn on her own, mowing in straight lines, crossing over to other parts of the lawn if need be, avoiding flower-beds, objects, or pets (and other garden animals), and staying clear of fences. In fact, her camera sensors are so advanced, the Toadi even serves as a surveillance device, allowing her to spot intruders in your yard at night.

Adding to their larger AI robot series, RidRoid, the creators at Future Robotics Technology designed the CanguRo (that’s, ‘kangaroo’ in Italian) in order to bring a sense of companionship to smart robots. Like many AI robots, CanguRo can offer support to users with tasks such as shopping and office work, but integrated software also brings this robot to your location, even if you’re far away, and then turns into a vehicle for you to ride whenever necessary. The inspiration behind the CanguRo design was taken from a page of history. Humans once depended on horses for both work and transportation. All one had to do was send out a whistle for their horse nearby, and a horse would come trotting their way. Decades later, the Ford Model T made automotive transportation more accessible for everyone and the possibilities for future modes of transportation were reimagined. Today, designers and engineers are concocting concepts for transportation that no longer require the use of human or animal intelligence.

KODA, Inc.’s robotic dog comes with four 3-D cameras, a single 13-megapixel front-facing camera, an ergonomic structure that incorporates realistic dog-like features such as a purely aesthetic tail, 14 high-torque motors with two on the neck offering full-range mobility for activities like climbing the stairs or trudging through snow, along with an 11 Teraflop processing unit. Since KODA, Inc. is dedicated to providing technology-based solutions to help people with everyday problems, either chronic or otherwise, the secure blockchain network of KODA robot dogs is closely monitored and cross-checked for consistent and effective AI improvements. For instance, a KODA, Inc. robot-dog in Detroit might be the first to slip on a patch of ice, but thanks to a “futureproof,” supercomputing network, robot-dogs who find their home in a warmer climate will know not to slip on a patch of ice even if the dog’s home ground temperature might never call for one.

The 360 S10 is powered by a 4-core CPU running autonomous AI navigation algorithms comparable to self-driving vehicles. It maps out your house, allowing you to set up dedicated rooms, no-go spaces, and virtual walls. The device creates a map that allows it to operate in places with low wi-fi too, letting you use it on multiple floors, and in areas with lesser wi-fi access like the basement. The S10 comes outfitted with a powerful vacuum module with 4-stage suction adjustment, going from a relatively quiet 600Pa to a powerful 3300Pa for exceptionally dirty areas. The S10 automatically adjusts its suction power too, picking up everything from dust to furballs, human hair, and even crumbs and food. Meanwhile, it can detect carpets and rugs as well, automatically adjusting its suction power to clean out dirt and debris from in between your carpet’s fibers without damaging it.

Moxie was born to give children (between the ages 6 and 9) an emotionally aware pal who also came equipped with teaching capabilities – a dream come true and even more so given the current times. Technology and design are proving to be the saving grace for not only essential workers but also for everyone staying home. Fuseproject is taking this opportunity to create positive human-machine interaction for the next generation. “Moxie, a revolutionary animate companion designed in partnership with Embodied, Inc. that promotes social, emotional, and cognitive learning for children across the ability spectrum—from neurotypical to neurodivergent—through play-based learning and interaction,” says the team. It is built to be so smart that children can even whisper secrets to communicate with Moxie through the teardrop-shaped ears and microphone on either side of its head – one of its most distinctive physical traits that encourages a meaningful bond.

Called ‘Hearingbot’, this AI-powered robot comes with an integrated smart home system for seamless and reliable use throughout the day. One of the components is the hearing clock which wakes you up with vibrations while the Hearingbot smart home system raises the curtains for you. A cool feature is gesture recognition which makes communication easy for those who rely on sign language. The robot can recognize the signs and uses speakers as well as subtitles to communicate with its user. “It interprets sign language of the deaf through motion sensor and projects it into a projector. Through these processes, it helps easy and natural conversation between deaf and ordinary people,” explains the design team. It can be paired with different products, for example, Hearingbot will manage the cooking status and schedule of the dish while the hearing-impaired person cooks and prepares the dish individually. It is also synced with a smartwatch that keeps you alert about real-time information, dangerous situations, public transport, and if someone is ringing your doorbell.

Meet Lucy, an AI bot that fulfills the jobs of a Roomba as well as a Nest Security Cam. With an auto-navigation system guiding it, a 3000Pa vacuum underneath it, and a day-and-night wide-angle camera on the front of it, Lucy does floor-sweeps and security-sweeps at the same time. It relies on its in-built guidance system to segregate your house by the room, allowing it to clean or monitor individual rooms at a time. Built with a battery that gives it 2 hours of performance, Lucy can navigate rooms, avoid no-go zones, and even patrol your house based on a route you set. Lucy’s ability to clean as well as screen your household (I have no shortage of clever phrases) is thanks to its 6-core ARM System-on-a-Chip, which allows it to run as efficiently as it does. The AI-bot comes equipped with a depth sensor and a 1080p camera that can detect objects as little as 1-inch high, allowing it to avoid toys, books, socks, or anything that may be lying around on the floor, and directly target dust, dirt, crumbs, and furballs.

Designed by the students of the Hongik University, the Traverse is a conceptual drone powered by AI that’s designed to be a personal trainer for recreational runners. The autonomous drone comes with a quad-propeller layout, and also features multiple fish-eye cameras that help it navigate through spaces without requiring any external controls. A main gimbal-mounted camera focuses on you, the runner, and the camera focuses on you as you run, monitoring your speed, performance, technique, laps, and charts your overall progress. While running, Traverse takes photos and videos of runners to give them Form correction & visual running feedback by tracking their posture with deep learning. The Traverse drone is accompanied by the Pod, a wearable that sits around your neck. The drone uses the wearable as a tracking tag, while the Pod itself works as your personal coach, giving you audio feedback to improve your form and performance.

This is the Barsys Coaster, a smart coaster with a mini weighing machine and an AI inside it that coaches you through the fine cocktail-mixing process. The coaster works with the Barsys app, which lets you select a recipe, while the coaster itself sits on a table with an empty glass above it. The app tells you how to build your cocktail, by telling you what to pour into your glass, while the coaster and its weight-sensor lets you know when to stop pouring. The incredibly precise weight-sensor within the coaster can know exactly when you’ve poured the right amount of gin, or vodka, or orange juice, while the app itself then tells you to stop pouring and proceed to the next step. The result? Precisely crafted cocktails courtesy of an AI bartender and your passion for drinking fine cocktails from the comfort of your own house as Netflix cues the next episode of whatever it is you’re watching!

Say hello to CookingPal Julia, the smart all-in-one cooker that is going to be your new sous chef. Julia was unveiled at CES 2020 where she also won the Innovation Award in the home appliance category and we were all shook…or shall I say shaken and stirred? It will be impossible to mess up a recipe with this Smart All-in-One Cooker, it is a countertop assistant that will assist you in preparing your meals quickly and efficiently. There is a step-by-step process and Julia is going to be there all along to guide you through chopping ingredients with exact, weight-based measurements. To make it easier, it also includes a scale that is accurate within five grams so say goodbye to fiddling with that set of measuring cups! Julia is truly a countertop kitchen assistant, she can cook, chop, blend, knead, boil, steam, grind, grate AND emulsify – she knows it all and does it all but you still get the credit.