From emergency rescue to gourmet cooking, from educating children to accompanying family members
Left image: Robot Robear. Middle image: Robot Atlas. Right image: Chef Robot Moley. Image source: Daily Mail, UK【World Trend of Technological Innovation】◎ Reporter Liu XiaCan robots become companions in the ordinary lives of humans? A recent report by the Daily Mail in the UK pointed out that robots can manufacture cars, sort packages, and manage warehouses. Now, from emergency rescue to gourmet cooking, from educating children to accompanying family members, the new generation of robots has permeated every aspect of people’s lives.Emergency RescueAtlas is a bipedal humanoid robot developed by Boston Dynamics, with funding from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Advanced Research Projects Agency.This 1.8-meter tall robot can lift weights, run, open doors, perform backflips, jump, and even do parkour, designed specifically for various search and rescue missions, and can operate in many environments where humans cannot survive (such as fire and war zones).Atlas robot’s “hands” have only two fingers, one fixed and the other adjustable. However, related videos show that this is sufficient to firmly grasp objects.Gourmet CookingKitchen appliances are constantly upgrading, with smart pots, dishwashers, and stir-fry machines… If these still do not meet the needs of the lazy, now the robot Moley has arrived.Moley can cook gourmet meals fully automatically, achieving a cooking standard comparable to that of Michelin chefs. In addition, it can wash dishes and tidy up the kitchen.Moley’s two robotic arms are equipped with 20 motors, 24 joints, and 129 sensors, making them as flexible as human hands, capable of performing delicate tasks like cracking eggs, and its movements are even more graceful than those of human chefs. Moley has also collected recipes from around the world.During the cooking process, users first select the type of food, portion size, calorie limits, ingredients, cooking methods, etc., from the recipe library. Once users choose their preferences, Moley will place the cleaned and cut ingredients in designated areas, which can also be ordered through Moley.Moley will also clean the kitchen after preparing the meal, which is a dream for many lazy people. Additionally, this robot can be fully operated remotely via a smartphone or tablet. The only downside is that Moley is priced at $335,000, which deters many potential buyers.Educating ChildrenMiko is an AI-driven robot designed to enhance children’s learning outcomes.Miko is priced at $300 and can recognize children’s emotions, play games with them, teach them new things, remember what they say, and their feelings.Miko is equipped with various applications developed in collaboration with multicultural educators and child psychologists, covering topics such as language arts, health and fitness, coding, geography, and more.The company that developed Miko claims that although Miko can initiate conversations, parents have complete control over the content discussed between the robot and their children. Moreover, all data is end-to-end encrypted.Looking to the future, Miko aims to continue expanding its generative AI technology to serve various fields of children’s education and creativity.Medical CareDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the robot Moxi played a significant role in distributing medications, personal protective equipment, and comfort items to patients. It can also open elevator doors, but requires a person to press the elevator floor buttons.The humanoid robot Robear developed in Japan can use its mechanical arms to lift disabled or elderly patients from beds to wheelchairs or bathtubs, completing the work of multiple caregivers. This robot has a soft body with padding, providing not only a good touch but also maximum support. Robear was developed by the RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project in Japan, weighs 140 kg, and has extendable legs to prevent falls.Accompanying Family MembersRealDoll X is a handcrafted, customizable robotic doll. The head of this robot is powered by AI, capable of moving, speaking, blinking, and forming expressions. Through an app, users can define the doll’s personality, choose hairstyles, and makeup styles, with a price of about $6,000.The Gita Bot is a rolling robot that can follow its owner and carry up to 18 kg of items. The name “Gita” comes from the Italian word “giro,” meaning “turn” or “round trip.” This two-wheeled machine uses cameras and sensors to track its owner. It is manufactured by the Italian company Piaggio and is the first cargo robot sold directly to consumers, weighing 23 kg and priced at $3,250.Source: Science and Technology Daily
