Originally published February 8 2006
Robots do household tasks or entertain
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Both practical and recreational robots were featured at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Expected to be big in 2006 are the Scooba robot, which cleans and scrubs floors, and Robosapien pet robots.
In popular culture, personal robots are portrayed as one of two extremes: the helpful and brilliant Rosie the robot maid from the Jetsons, and the cold and calculating HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
The two icons represent the dual problems facing the personal robotics industry: consumers either suffer from unrealistic expectations, or they're terrified of the idea of a machine with a mind of its own.
This year at CES, iRobot is promoting the Scooba, a robot introduced late last year that cleans and scrubs tile and wooden and other hard-surface floors.
The rechargeable, battery-powered robots, which sell for between $150 and $400 and are broadly available at stores, use electronic sensors designed to cover entire rooms.
Rather than selling a multitalented machine, a robot that can do one task well is far easier to explain to wary consumers and usually can be sold at a more acceptable price, said Dan Kara, president of Massachusetts-based consultancy Robotic Trends.
Sales data for specific robot products is sketchy.
But in 2006, the broad market for personal robots is expected to surpass $1 billion, meaning sales will outpace the more mature market for industrial robots, according to a report by the market research firm iSuppli.
Robots for entertainment are expected to be another strong part of the personal robotics industry.
The Fort Worth-based company partnered with the not-for-profit school robotics program to create the Vex Robotics Design System, a group of products that allow people to create their own radio-controlled robotic devices.
The starter kit for the system, which sells at RadioShack stores for about $300, includes a microprocessor that allows users to program the robot to do whatever they want.With the appropriate appendages, the robot might pour a bottle of beer or play fetch like a dog.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml