Artificial Intelligence in Home Robots – Current and Future ...

The International Federation of Robotics reports that the U.S. service robot industry, which includes both industrial and domestic sectors, is a $5.2 billion market. It also estimates that home robots or domestic robots will contribute $11 billion in revenue by .

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Home robots have existed since the s. An early example of this is the Electrolux robot vacuum cleaner. They are currently used for helping humans with many kinds of domestic chores. This article explores three such major home robot applications.

1. Cleaning (vacuum cleaning, floor cleaning, lawn mowing, pool cleaning and window cleaning)

2. Entertainment (toys and hobby robots)

3. Domestic security and surveillance (machine vision, motion detection, more)

Although home robot adoption is expected to significantly increase the next few years, the implementation of AI technologies for these robots is still fairly recent. This article aims to answer the following questions:

•         

  How is AI currently being applied in the home robot industry?

•         

  What innovations are expected within the next 5 years in this domain?

We explore cleaning, entertainment, and domestic security applications in depth in the article that follows.

Cleaning Robots

Current Applications

Over the past decade, there have been several dramatic improvements in cleaning robot capabilities. In fact, a few of the premium products in this market are currently in their 6th generation. OEMs are increasingly looking to adopt AI technologies, especially for vacuum cleaning, floor cleaning, and lawn mowing chores. Below are some currently available cleaning robots.

iRobot Roomba

When iRobot launched its first robotic vacuum cleaner, Roomba in , the product had fairly basic AI capabilities, such as identifying walls and avoiding stairs using built-in sensors. The latest 980 model of Roomba has advanced decision making capabilities, powered by AI. The robot is capable of scanning the room size, identifying obstacles and remembering the most efficient routes and methods.

The video below briefly explains the product and its features:

(We&#;ve covered the Roomba in slightly more depth in our AI and IoT article from late .)

Sharp Corporation&#;s RX-V100

RX-V100 is a cleaning robot embedded with a speech recognition AI engine to enable tasks such as reporting the current status of the robot through a combination of blinking lights and spoken messages. For example, when a user gives a voice command to the robot to &#;Clean,&#; the RX-V100 uses AI speech to reply, &#;All right,&#; and &#;waggles&#; to acknowledge the command. It then begins cleaning in Automatic Mode. In addition to this, the product comes with a set of predefined messages and responses to simulate simple conversations, such as &#;Good Morning&#; or &#;How&#;s it going?&#;

Here&#;s a 3-minute marketing video from Sharp, featuring some of the basic use cases and capabilities of the RX-V100 model:

Bosch Roxxter

Bosch launched its Roxxter range of robotic vacuum cleaners that leverage AI to draw interactive maps of their environment. These robots are equipped to handle voice commands through Amazon&#;s Alexa assistant-compliant devices. For example, a user can activate the Roxxter robot by commanding Alexa: &#;Alexa, move the Home Connect robot vacuum to the living room.&#;

This is a 2-minute video from Bosch showing the product&#;s features:

Other key players in this home cleaning robot segment include Dyson, Samsung and Neato.

Future Possibilities

In the 45th Tokyo Motor Show this year, Honda demonstrated a new robotic lawnmower concept, the Honda Ai-Miimo Concept. Honda claims that Ai-Miimo Concept is a self-propelled, electric robotic lawn mower capable of communicating with its user using AI. It is, however, not clear how the robot leverages AI for conversations.

The video below shows a short demo of the product by Honda at the Tokyo Motor Show :

Businesses are investing in AI research and development for cleaning robots. In February ,  Dyson invested $587 million for developing an R&D tech center in Singapore focused on connected tech and intelligent machines. OpenAI also listed &#;a useful household robot&#; as one of it&#;s important technical goals in .

Cleaning equipment manufacturers are starting to collaborate with AI technology providers. San Diego startup Brain Corporation announced its partnership with SoftBank Robotics Corp with the intention of entering the commercial cleaning robot business in . This partnership will enable SoftBank Robotics to offer the ICE RS26 robotic floor scrubber, which runs on Brain Corp&#;s A.I. platform for autonomous navigation and mapping, Brain OS.

Entertainment Robots

Current Scenario

A World Robotics report estimates that entertainment robots (toys or hobby robots) sold 2.5 million units in , bringing in a revenue of $1.1 billion. It also projects that the market size of entertainment robots would reach $7.5 billion between and , at a CAGR of 20%-25%.

Two examples of AI-embedded home entertainment robots are listed below:

Anki&#;s Cozmo

San Francisco startup ANKI&#;s home entertainment robot Cozmo is an artificially intelligent toy. The company markets Cozmo as a &#;robot with a big personality and a host of emotions&#; in its launch report. According to the report, Cozmo&#;s &#;personality&#; is powered by deep AI, robotics, and computer vision. Cozmo can &#;recognize and remember people&#; using a built-in OLED camera. The robot comes with an app that is compatible with Apple, android and Kindle Fire devices. It also has built-in gameplay content, which is constantly updated. The report claims that the robot&#;s skill sets with new activities increase over time as he gets more &#;familiar&#; with a player.

The video below shows Cozmo and its capabilities:

Emotech Olly

Emotech&#;s Olly is a voice-controlled assistant robot, much like Amazon Echo or Google Home. Emotech claims that this robot has an &#;evolving personality,&#; meaning it reacts differently to different users. It can &#;understand&#; the users&#; facial expressions, vocal intonations and verbal patterns via computer vision, microphone array technology and an &#;emotion character engine,&#; and proactively start conversations rather than reacting to users&#; commands.

It is, however, not very clear how the emotion character engine&#;s technology works. The robot&#;s capabilities also extend to retrieving information and interacting with other connected devices.

The video below suggests that Olly can simulate human emotions like empathy (it appears to &#;see&#; a user resting his head on the couch and asks him, &#;Long day?&#;) and predict the music the user might want to listen to according to their mood.

Emotech also reportedly closed a Series A funding of more than $10 million in from two Chinese VC firms, Alliance Capital and Lightning Capital.

Future Applications

The manufacturers of entertainment robots with integrated AI-technologies might benefit from new markets like education, owing to the strategic value of the technology. For example, the Lego Mindstorms robotic platform has been proposed as a hands-on artificial intelligence education tool at the University of Northern Iowa.

Home Security and Surveillance

Current Scenario

BuddyGuard

BuddyGuard, a Berlin-based startup, has launched Flare, an AI-powered home security camera. Originally funded via a crowdsourcing campaign, the company&#;s product now competes against Google&#;s Nest Cam and similar products. However, it is offered as an AI-backed intelligent security camera. Flare uses AI to recognize faces and detect suspicious sounds so that it can alert the home owner in case of intruders.

A short video of the product is presented below:

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Future Applications

Deep Sentinel

Deep Sentinel is an American company that aims to sell AI-powered home security and surveillance solutions, which can &#;predict and disrupt crimes before they occur.&#; The company claims that it has &#;optimized AI technology&#; to trigger alert systems even before a potential crime occurs. Deep Sentinel reportedly achieves this through a combination of neural networks, computer vision and deep learning. It does not elaborate on the technology any further, however.

The company reportedly raised $7.4 million in May through Shasta Ventures, Lux Capital, Bezos Expeditions (founded by Jeff Bezos), and UP (founded by Pierre Omidyar).

Paraphrasing a TechCrunch article about the firm:

Deep sentinel aims to expand the home security and surveillance market by moving the security line to the perimeter of a property rather than the perimeter of a home. Without ever entering a home, burglars can cost homeowners thousands by simply nabbing an Amazon delivery resting on a front porch. This shift in behavior necessitates a shift in the services provided by home security companies.

But legacy players like ADT, founded in , haven&#;t kept up with the times. Selinger is confident he can both. To do this, the company is producing a series of cameras powered by deep learning that can evaluate threats on a property. This is the same technology that automakers are using for self-driving cars and companies like Facebook use to identify people and objects within your photos.

(We&#;ve covered AI security applications in much greater depth in our complete article on AI in security.)

Concluding Thoughts &#; Market Size and Privacy Concerns

Minnesota-based VC firm Loup Ventures estimates (with the IFR) that by the robotic vacuum and lawn mower hardware markets will grow to $2.6 billion and $1 billion, respectively.

A Stanford report titled &#;Artificial Intelligence and Life in &#; predicts that integration of emerging AI technologies in robotics&#;such as speech recognition, natural language understanding, and image labeling&#;would enable faster adoption of domestic robots by .

The Stanford report also states that &#;Early expectations that many new applications would be found for home robots have not materialized. Robot vacuum cleaners are restricted to localized flat areas, while real homes have lots of single steps, and often staircases; there has been very little research on robot mobility inside real homes. Hardware platforms remain challenging to build, and there are few applications that people want enough to buy.&#;

As with any AI-related market, new ethical and privacy concerns may arise over the next decade in the robotics industry. Last July the iRobot&#;s Roomba robot underwent a slew of scrutiny for collecting valuable data about the size and dimensions of it&#;s user&#;s homes &#; a story picked up by the New York Times.

While industrial robots might potentially &#;learn&#; about the inside of a factory &#; robots that move around the bedroom and interact with children pose a potentially greater personal security concern. It was posited that Roomba might use it&#;s home-mapping data to determine the size and value of certain homes, information that might be useful for realtors or other home services companies. One could imagine many such personal data issues:

• Lawn care robots might collect data about the size of a user&#;s property, information that could (as in the example above) be potentially sold to garden or lawn care service providers
• Alexa-like machines that interact with users to buy products might sell purchase and transaction information to other marketers or marketing firms
• Children&#;s toys might collect data about the kinds of interactions and play that they&#;re having around (or the lack thereof), and use this information to craft follow-up marketing to users, or even sell this information to marketers who want to reach the same demographics

As home robots become ubiquitous, many of these hypothetical risks are likely to come to public attention, and it seems likely that regulations and rules will be establish to protect users (though it&#;s likely that companies will be incentivized to collect and use the data anyway, if it behooves them to do so).

 

Header image credit: Gadget Flow Inc

Not certain which robotic vacuum cleaner is right for you? You are not alone! Today's robot vacuums aren't just automated dust gatherers; they're advanced, feature-packed partners in the fight against dirt, and this is why 70% of consumers in the US own one. From mopping to AI voice assistance and auto-empty, the choices are vast and varied. But with choice can come confusion. How to choose the right auto vacuum? Don't worry &#; we've got your back. This buying guide will discuss what to look for in a robot vacuum, must-know features of a robot vacuum cleaner, and what to consider when buying a robot vacuum. Let's dive in!

Why Consider a Robot Vacuum?

Wondering why smart vacuums have become such a household favorite? The answer lies in their unparalleled benefits over traditional vacuums. Firstly, they offer unmatched convenience. Imagine having a device that cleans your home while you're out or even sleeping, and no more dragging a heavy machine around or bending over to reach those tricky corners. Robot vacuums are designed to regularly clean the space with no missing spots, without you lifting a finger. Furthermore, they are incredible time-savers. Instead of spending hours vacuuming, you can rely on these smart devices to do the job efficiently, giving you back precious moments to spend on what truly matters.

Key Features to Know Before Buying a Robot Vacuum

As a buying guide, we have sorted 14 features of a robot vacuum cleaner to look for, so you don&#;t have to worry about how to pick a robot vacuum.

1. Navigation Technology & Obstacle Detection

The first feature to consider is navigation technology, as it determines how smoothly a robotic vacuum cleaner navigates your home. There are three main types of navigation: LiDAR-based, which uses lasers to scan and map rooms, ensuring high precision and efficiency. Next, camera-based systems use built-in optical cameras to form a visual map, but they may have difficulties in dim lighting. On the other hand, sensor-based vacuums employ a &#;bump and move&#; approach to detect obstacles, but they can miss hard-to-reach areas and lack the detailed mapping capabilities of the other two. It is also worth mentioning the cliff sensors, which are a standard feature in most models. It blocks your automatic vacuum from falling off the stairs and other edges.

Efficient mapping and navigation technology guarantees thorough cleaning and prevents the robot from damaging items like sofas or walls. ECOVACS utilizes advanced AIVI 3D and TrueMapping technologies on their DEEBOT, the same technology to those in self-driving cars, allowing effective obstacle detection and precise mapping even in dark environments.

2. Cleaning Modes

Smart vacuums come equipped with various cleaning modes, which you can easily manage through the compatible app. The 'auto' mode is a general cleaning setting for everyday use, while the 'spot' mode targets selected areas with intensified cleaning, such as high-traffic kitchens and living rooms. For those tricky edges and corners, the 'edge' mode is designed to target them, leaving no hard-to-reach spot behind. Selecting the right mode helps achieve optimal cleaning results tailored to different areas of your home. Even better, you can preset cleaning sessions to suit your schedule.

3. Smart Features

Thanks to technological advancements, smart vacuums are becoming even smarter with features such as app control, voice commands, and scheduling. The app serves as a one-stop control center to monitor and manage your auto vacuum. For instance, the ECOVACS HOME app allows you to start, pause, or schedule tasks for your DEEBOT with just a few taps. Moreover, DEEBOT's YIKO voice assistant, a breakthrough in AI that understands natural voice commands, simplifies the process. This makes it possible for those who might struggle with the app, including the elderly and individuals with disabilities, to use robotic vacuum cleaners effortlessly.

4. Suction Power

The suction power of a robot vacuum determines its strength and efficiency in cleaning the floor. Measured in Pascals (Pa), the higher the Pa, the more dirt it can collect. To choose a robot vacuum based on suction power, check the type of floorings at home &#; different flooring types require varying suction levels; hard floors and tiles typically need less suction compared to plush carpets. The latest DEEBOT models boast a remarkable 8,-11,000Pa suction2, significantly higher than the market average of 3,000-5,000Pa, making it adept at tackling even the most stubborn dirt patches.

5. Mopping

To enhance the cleaning experience, consider opting for an automatic vacuum with a mop feature, which streamlines the cleaning process by tackling dirt, dust, and fine particles in one-go. Not only does this save time, but mopping also helps pick up those tiny particles that can trigger allergies.

It's also worth mentioning ECOVACS' Auto-lift Mopping technology. The intelligent mop automatically lifts when it detects a carpet, ensuring it remains dry while vacuuming. The mop is lowered when it returns to hard floors, therefore you don&#;t need to worry about your precious rugs being ruined.

6. Noise Level

The next feature to consider is the noise level that a vacuum make, typically stated in the specifications. Wonder why is your smart vacuum so loud? A quieter vacuum promotes a peaceful and tranquil living environment, especially essential for homes with thin walls, babies, or pets. Imagine the convenience of scheduling your vacuum to operate at night, so you can always wake up to a clean floor. For the remote workers among us, a less noisy vacuum ensures that work calls go smoothly and concentration remains intact.

7. Self-Emptying Capability

Another crucial element to consider when purchasing a robot cleaner is whether it is a self-emptying robot vacuum. There's nothing wrong with manually emptying your robot. However, for larger houses, the need to empty it multiple times before completing the job might be inconvenient.

One thing to keep in mind when purchasing a smart vacuum is that it cannot be stored just any place. You may ask: where can I store my vacuum cleaner? A flat wall with some empty space around it is excellent for a robotic vacuum cleaner's home base, which also functions as its charging station. This allows your robotic vacuum cleaner to return to its docking station when the battery is low, or the dustbin is nearly full.

Some self-emptying robot vacuum can automatically empty the dustbin. After each clean, it even washes and blow dries the mop head, ensuring the auto vacuum is ready for the next session.

8. Battery Life

Robot vacuums can cover vast spaces thanks to their cordless design, and how far they can go depends on their battery life. Typically, most robotic vacuum cleaners can operate for over an hour before needing a recharge. However, those with larger homes should prioritize models with extended battery durations to prevent mid-session recharges. To make your robot vacuum's battery last, regularly update its software, clean its brushes and sensors, and avoid overcharging.

9. Filter System

Whether you are sensitive to allergies or not, an efficient filter system is crucial for creating a pristine living environment at home. But how to pick a robot vacuum with good filters? The gold standard is the HEPA filter, renowned for trapping over 99% of allergens. Our DEEBOT doesn't disappoint, using a three-layer filter system that effectively eliminates these particles. But it's not just about having the filter; maintaining it is equally essential. Regular cleaning and upkeep of these filters help enhance the air quality in your home and the longevity of the smart vacuum. And for pet owners, these robot vacuums for pet hair help prevent allergy triggers.

10. Maintenance

Looking for ways to keep your automatic vacuum performing at its best? Set a regular maintenance schedule. Empty the dust bin frequently, especially after cleaning high-traffic areas like kitchens. The same goes for filters; clean or replace them if they're dirty. Debris, especially pet hair, can get trapped in brushes and rollers and stop it from spinning, so check and unclog them often. If your vacuum includes a mop, wash it after each use to prevent odors. Moreover, consider models like DEEBOT, whose smart sensors alert users about needed replacements or clean-ups through the app.

11. Dustbin capacity

DEEBOT that come with an OMNI station, can automatically empty the dustbin into a large 3L disposable dust bag that lasts up to 60 days3. As a result, the robot can perform multiple cleaning sessions without requiring your intervention, enhancing the overall hands-free experience. 

The size of the dustbin directly determines how often you need to

empty your robot vacuum

&#; the larger the dustbins, the less frequent of manual emptying &#; which is why a

self-emptying docking station

is especially helpful. Advanced models, like, can automatically empty the dustbin into a large 3L disposable dust bag that lasts up to 60 days. As a result, the robot can perform multiple cleaning sessions, enhancing the overall hands-free experience.

12. Size and height

While we all love the advanced features of a robot vacuum, the size and height are equally important. In compact living spaces, a bulky vacuum may be difficult to store, particularly when it is necessary to have adequate clearance around the docking station for the device to function correctly. Always check the dimensions and buy a model that is compact and fits easily within your home, including tight areas and under furniture.

13. Round or Square

Among the many robot vacuum models on the market, most come in two shapes: round and square. Round models are more agile and can easily pivot around obstacles like chair legs; however, they may struggle to reach into corners effectively. Square models, on the other hand, are designed to clean better along walls and in corners thanks to their angular edges; yet, they require more open space to navigate because of their larger turning radius. How to choose between a round and square robot vacuum? Consider your home&#;s layout and take careful measurements.

14. AI integration

The trend of Artificial Intelligence is unstoppable, and if you're wondering whether robot vacuums use AI, the answer is: Absolutely. AI largely upgraded their navigation and adaptability. Take ECOVACS as an example: the AI-powered AIVI 3D feature allows the device to recognize and quickly react to indoor situations, such as children playing or doors opening, to avoid collisions. Through continuous learning, the smart feature helps protect both the vacuum and your furniture.

Finding a robot Vacuum That Matches Your Needs

Picking the right auto vacuum shouldn't be overwhelming. The question to 'What to look for in a robot vacuum?' is straightforward: Evaluate your needs based on the above buying guide, and you'll have a better idea. 
Since , ECOVACS has been committed to bringing robotic and intelligent technologies to the public. Our DEEBOT series provides a range of robot vacuum cleaners dedicated to meeting different needs. With continuous research and development, DEEBOT is equipped with the latest technologies that bring you a truly hands-free cleaning experience.

FAQ

Are robot vacuums worth it?

Absolutely! Robot vacuum are worth it, especially if you're swamped with work, have allergies, or just lack the time to sweep or vacuum, a robotic vacuum cleaner can lighten the load by automatically cleaning on preset schedules, ensuring clean floors at all time.

What features are important on a robot vacuum?

When shopping for a smart vacuum, consider its battery life, suction power, navigation technology, cleaning modes, filter system, noise level, ease of maintenance, smart features, and mopping capability. It is also important to consider the brand reputation.

How many robot vacuums do I need?

The size and layout of your home may require more than one robot vacuum. For those who have multiple floors, keep in mind that robot vacuums cannot climb stairs. While you can manually move a robot vacuum between floors, for a truly hands-free experience, consider having a dedicated robot vacuum for each floor.

Are robot vacuums efficient with pet hairs?

Yes, robot vacuums are effective at keeping pet hair under control. Their suction power is sufficient for picking up pet hair, and you can schedule multiple cleaning sessions throughout the day to stay on top of shedding. For best results, opt for models with tangle-free roller brushes to avoid hair getting caught in the machine.

Disclaimer(s):

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Robotic vacuum OEM services.

1. 8,000Pa: This data comes from ECOVACS laboratory. The suction power of DEEBOT N20 PRO PLUS can reach 8,000Pa.
2. 11,000Pa: This data comes from ECOVACS laboratory. The suction power of DEEBOT T30S Blackcan reach 8,000Pa.
3. 60 days: This data comes from ECOVACS laboratory. The large 3L disposable dust bag can be used for up to 60 days. Actual results may vary according to the home environment.