Automation is one of today\’s biggest technology buzzwords. Ever since the Czech playwright Karel Čapek wrote his play \”Rossum\’s Universal Robots,\” about artificial human beings (\”robot\” is simply the Czech word for \”worker\”), in 1921, robots and other computer- controlled machines have been taking over work once performed by humans, but which is regarded today as too difficult, monotonous, or even dangerous for people to perform.

Naturally, since robots are so helpful in the industrial workplace, entrepreneurs are also designing robots that will be equally helpful in the household. In the years to come, such robots will enable homeowners to do away with mundane chores. Some of them include the following:

– vacuum cleaners- Roomba, from iRobot, has sold over 21/2 million cleaners since its invention in 2002. It is a disc- shaped vacuum that also uses infrared sensors to negotiate its way around corners and to avoid falling over edges. Some newer models can also detect areas of the room that are particularly dirty. Other automatic vacuum cleaners include Trilobite (that\’s the name of an extinct arthropod), made by the Swedish company Electrolux since 1996, which can recharge itself after completing a task; Robomaxx, which picks up dirt with an oil- soaked cloth instead of by suction; and the Italian- made Orazio, which cleans and polishes floors in addition to vacuuming them.

– mops- The company that makes Roomba has also released a multipurpose machine called Scooba, which, in addition to vacuuming, can also wet- scrub and dry the floor- all at once! Mint, made by Evolution Robotics, is another robotic mop.

– lawn mowers- RoboMower, invented in Israel, can calculate the most efficient path to take by using algorithms. LawnBott, on the other hand, follows a random path.

– other robots- Litter Robot is a self- cleaning cat litter; Dressman irons clothes; and there are home transport robots that can carry things, for instance, take out the garbage or move clean clothes from the laundry area to the rooms where they belong. Some robots, like HRP-2, can perform all kinds of household work.

Engineers have even designed \”social robots,\” whose function is not to perform housework, but to provide companionship for those who live alone. Such a machine is Wakamaru (Japanese, 2005), which is made for care of the elderly; it reminds them to take their medicine and can even call for help is something goes wrong.

The use of robots in the home has only begun. Robotics Trends President Dan Kara has visions of a floor- cleaning system built into the wall that blows dust to a place where it can be sucked up by a vacuum cleaner, then sprays and mops the floor.

Whatever their tasks, the proliferation of domestic robots will have one very important benefit: They will free homeowners and their family members to take part in more enjoyable, social activities like reading, playing games, visit with friends, and go out to a museum, park, or other place of recreation. We deserve all the time we can get to \”stop and smell the roses.\”

Author Bio: Edward Kendricks writes for CTS (www.cts-networks.co.uk), smart homes systems installers.

Category: Advice
Keywords: home automation, smart homes systems, automatic home, technology, remote control