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Service Robots in Service by 2010

Posted by CmdrTaco on Tue May 31, 2005 11:50 AM
from the still-no-flying-car dept.
Robotics
Igor Birman writes "Reuters reports that Toyota aims to sell service robots by 2010. Meanwhile, the most advanced consumer robot produced in the US appears to be the iRobot Roomba, now available in pink. More information is available at Robotics Trends and NewsTarget.com"
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  • We are here to protect you. (Score:5, Funny)

    by TripMaster Monkey (862126) * on Tuesday May 31 2005, @11:51AM (#12685143)

    From TFA:

    Toyota Motor Corp. (7203.T: Quote, Profile, Research) aims to start selling robots that can help look after elderly people or serve tea to guests by 2010, the Asahi daily reported on Tuesday.

    Reading this, I can't help but think of this excerpt from The Terribe Secret of Space [albinoblacksheep.com]:

    Grandma is protected
    Grandma has gone down the stairs
    We are here to protect you
    From the terrible secret of space

    We are the space robots
    Grandma is protected
    Grandma is protected
    At the bottom of the stairs

    I am the pusher robot
    Shoving is the answer
    I will shove grandma
    Outside into the snow

    I am the shover robot
    Pushing is the answer
    I will push snow
    On top of grandma

    ^_^

  • Pink Roombas? (Score:5, Funny)

    by justforaday (560408) on Tuesday May 31 2005, @11:51AM (#12685153)
    Yoshimi should be able to take care of those Roombas with no problem...

  • Half a decade hence... (Score:5, Funny)

    by TopSpin (753) * on Tuesday May 31 2005, @11:52AM (#12685159) Journal
    Date line May 31, 2005:
    Toyota Motor Corp. aims to start selling robots that can help look after elderly people or serve tea to guests by 2010.

    Date line April 1, 2011:
    A Japanese pensioner was found dead today beneath a mountain of tea cups and saucers. A relative claims a Toyota robot given to the man a year before continued to carry out it's tea serving prerogative for months after the victim had expired.

  • Demand (Score:5, Insightful)

    by suso (153703) * on Tuesday May 31 2005, @11:53AM (#12685166) Homepage Journal
    Japan's top automaker sees a declining birthrate and aging population leading to growing demand for robots that can help in tasks such as child care and nursing care

    What? I don't know where these companies determine the demands that people have. People have been trying to make machines that could automatically mow a lawn for over 50 years now. I would think there would be a really high demand for robots that could do lawn care, take out the trash and clean the house. At least those tasks I could trust a robot to do properly and shouldn't be all that difficult if they are also "really" capable of caring for a child. Personally, it would be a long time before I would trust robotic technology and AI to care for a human being's health and safety.
    • And a few decades down the line, no-one bothers moving from their armchair. Why bother, when you can ask your robot to go get whatever you want?

      Obesity and muscle wastage, here we come *...

      * Excluding America; some of them are already there.
      • "Why bother, when you can ask your robot to go get whatever you want?

        Obesity and muscle wastage, here we come *..."

        To avoid being obese and wasting your muscles?

        That's like saying why meet in person when you can talk online or on the phone - because there are still recognized benefits to meeting in person.
      • Thats why they also plan on releasing "The Exerbot", a robot that chases you around the house with an axe so you get enough exercise. With promises of "... a body like a Viking..." you can bet people will buy millions of them.
    • Personally, it would be a long time before I would trust robotic technology and AI to care for a human being's health and safety.

      It's hardly a primary carer, and isn't suggested as one. It's only meant to assist the eldery (amongst the other suggested uses).

      While it's good that their being ambitious stating a 2010 arrival, I'm sceptical that they will deliver on time if at all.

      __
      Laugh Daily free video clips [laughdaily.com]

    • Those auto mowing machines are already quite possible. The problem is that no one wants to be liable for version 1.0, that malfunctions and mows over the neighbor kids.

      That, and the fact that it is cheaper to just hire those neighbor kids to mow their lawn.

    • Re:Demand (Score:5, Informative)

      by delirium28 (641609) on Tuesday May 31 2005, @12:08PM (#12685325) Homepage Journal
      Umm, ever heard of Robomow [friendlyrobotics.com]? Granted, you still need to push the big green "Go" button to get it started, but it's still better than doing it yourself.
    • Well, this is sort of a matter of perspective. Ever fly anywhere on an Airbus? Robo-take-offs-and-landings! Ever bang into something with your late-model car? Robo-ish-airbags! Life saving (or ending!) pharmaceuticals? Robo-made-drugs!

      Yes, yes, these aren't walk-around-the-house robotic type things, but they're complicated, sensor-driven, hardware/software things that operate in life-and-death cirumstances to make things easier or better for people. It's not that we don't have semi-autonomous widgets in
    • key word 'help'

      These are not fully autonymous robots.

      these are worker drones, meant to allow for the care of elderly/children with _less_ human interaction. Imagine if one human operator in central control can operate 250 'healthcare bots' in a nursing home that holds 5,000 patients.

      you could cut the amount of healthcare workers needed for a full size nursing home from hundreds to dozens. this has already happened in auto manufacturing, and it's clear that this is toyota's goal. a robotic nursing home s
    • I would think there would be a really high demand for robots that could do lawn care

      I suspect the robot will still be more expensive than cheap (often immigrant) labor. As long as employers get away paying humans sub-living wages, these robots will be impractical.

      BTW I'm for immigration, but against slave wages.

      • Re:Demand (Score:3, Interesting)

        by Valar (167606)
        You obviously can't make a blanket statement about that, because robots already _have_ replaced some human workers in manufacturing, for example. Now, are you likely to see humanoid robots with human like intelligence walking into your office building carrying their briefcases in the next couple of decades? No, probably not. Gradually, more and more labor will be performed by robots though. It is merely industrialization continuing-- capital displaces labor.

    • Re:Demand (Score:4, Insightful)

      by hraefn (627340) on Tuesday May 31 2005, @12:26PM (#12685490) Homepage
      Why not? Many humans are incapable of providing care for another human's health and safety, but are nonetheless allowed to do so.

  • Roomba is hardly the only one (Score:4, Interesting)

    by Rei (128717) on Tuesday May 31 2005, @11:53AM (#12685173) Homepage
    There's everything from robotic lawnmowers [friendlyrobotics.com] to the upcoming Scooba [com.com] mopbot.

  • Toyota? (Score:3, Insightful)

    by Adrilla (830520) * on Tuesday May 31 2005, @11:54AM (#12685176) Homepage
    For years I've been watching Honda pimp Asimo and you're telling me Toyota is the company to first bring us robots. Surprising. So where's Nissan in all this hubbub, or do they need not even apply.

    • Re:Toyota? (Score:4, Funny)

      by Rosco P. Coltrane (209368) on Tuesday May 31 2005, @11:59AM (#12685235)
      For years I've been watching Honda pimp Asimo and you're telling me Toyota is the company to first bring us robots. Surprising. So where's Nissan in all this hubbub, or do they need not even apply.

      I have a Ford robot here at home. It's crackling and leaking hydraulics all over the carpet...
  • in AI voice processing so we start having those cool robotic butlers and dishwashers (Who actually pick up your plates and sweep the floor).

    I find it amazing that hardware is advancing WAY beyond software.

  • Uh huh (Score:4, Funny)

    by Colin Smith (2679) on Tuesday May 31 2005, @11:55AM (#12685196)
    I love these types of executive decision.

    Yes, we're planning on regular scheduled trips to the moon next year, I'll just crack the whip on the R&D slaves to get them to work a bit harder.

  • We have feelings too you know (Score:5, Funny)

    by Timesprout (579035) on Tuesday May 31 2005, @11:56AM (#12685199)
    This post was submitted by

    iRobot Slash-Postba

    Serial NO : AR-3214324-ERE43

    Activation date : May 31 2005

  • How long until... (Score:3, Funny)

    by DrinkingIllini (842502) on Tuesday May 31 2005, @11:56AM (#12685209)
    ...I can get an alcohol drinking loudmouth robot, preferably one who is proficient at bending?

  • Video feed: (Score:5, Informative)

    by ets960 (759094) on Tuesday May 31 2005, @12:00PM (#12685250) Homepage
    Here's the video feed of the robots in motion http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/special/robot/ [toyota.co.jp]
  • Long ago Robert Heinlein envisoned household robots (see Flexible Frank in "The Door into Summer", [sfsite.com]) as the 'killer app' in robotics, as opposed to the 'killer bots' the military is developing.

    • I wouldn't be surprised if the sex industry is one of the top three killer app's that drives this technology forward.

      It seems they are driving the adoption of many technologies these days.
      • So the consensus is that the robot of the future will (a) cook a mean omelette and leave the kitchen spotless afterwards, (b) be capable of really great kinky sex, and (c)be capable of infiltrating enemy territory and single-handedly taking out a column of tanks with heat-seeking missiles.

        Good in the kitchen, great in the sack, strong and self-sufficient, and with teraflops of processing power... wow, sounds like my ideal woman. Naturally, there would be a model for the women as well (as a computer, it woul

        • This reminds me of the "escort" type of robots in the movie Artifical Intelligence: AI [imdb.com]. When people refer to automation causing job loss they seem to refer to it in the sense of low level labor or manufacturing. I feel intimate robots who would be self-cleaning (safer health-wise), unable to be impregnated, and agreeable to any act imaginable would wipe out the high and middle prostitution market for "real" people. The low end would likely still see human demand as these robots may be priced out of the

  • ...and the fact that they're technologically way ahead of just about everyone else in that department (see their Prius and the Lexus Rx400h) I wouldn't put it past them. They have the right combination of good management, solid financials, and technical know how that this shouldn't seem far fetched to anyone. (They also have a fair amount of experience working with Denso, as that's the company that they work with on the hybrids.)

        • It is an application of robotics technology to a household problem. It's a smart appliance.

          OK, technically, it is a robot, but it falls far short of what people are thinking when the speak of a domestic robot. It partially fulfills the expectation that the robot will have autonomous mobility, but it lacks the flexible programming and multi-purpose appendages that would make it suitable to a wide variety of tasks. On a scale that starts with the fuzzy logic washing machine and goes up to the first generat

  • iRobot huh? (Score:4, Funny)

    by Rosco P. Coltrane (209368) on Tuesday May 31 2005, @12:03PM (#12685275)
    I already wanted to buy hard-cover copies of I, Robot to throw at Will Smith when the movie went out, to avenge Azimov's memory, but really, that pink roomba thing is too much. Poor Isaac must be spinning in his grave...
    • Asimov himself actually admits to having stolen the title "I, Robot" from a previously published sci-fi story. So whoever *originally* used it is rolling over in his/her grave.
  • We're already here. Aren't you [uvphactory.com]?
  • Personally I aim to start selling nuclear fusion plants by 2010. Which of course will accomodate growing demand for clean, efficient supplies of power.

    I could have sworn I saw this exact same article five years ago, aiming for a target of 2000 as the first year for mass-market helper robots.
  • ...yet scientists keep building the damned things! Are you prepared for the inevitable? [jt.org]

  • ... a little strange ... (Score:3, Insightful)

    by ninjagin (631183) on Tuesday May 31 2005, @12:09PM (#12685333)
    I think it's a very ambitious goal. The physical attributes of a humanoid robot have been developing quite rapidly... stuff like running, walking, arm & hand movement, etc. On the other hand, the AI and machine vision components would seem to be developing less slowly, and these are precisely the things that one would consider important for adoption in the target markets.

    I confess that I don't have much deep knowledge of advancements in AI and machine vision. Anytime we've had robot articles posted on slashdot lately they've been about advancements in the physical attributes of humanoid robots. Perhaps someone out there can fill me in on what I've been missing.

    Anyhow, on a lighter note, as I was reading the "trends" article, I could not help noticing this paragraph:

    The statement goes on to say that Toyota will make partner robots that "have human characteristics, such as being agile, warm and kind and also intelligent enough to skillfully operate a variety of devices in the area of personal assistance, care for the elderly, manufacturing and mobility." The statement continues, "since each area requires a special set of skills, Toyota is promoting the development of three different types of partner robots - walking, rolling and mountable - each with its own areas of expertise."

    WARNING: BAD JOKE AHEAD

    I like "agile, warm and kind", and the article stressed the advancements in the lips on certain robots such that they can play the trumpet, but if it's going to be "mountable", shouldn't there be some work on robots that are "moist" in addition to being "agile, warm and kind"? I mean, can you imagine the chafing?

    IT WAS A BAD JOKE, BUT YOU -=WERE=- WARNED, AFTER ALL

  • Imagine the tech support calls... (Score:5, Funny)

    by IronChefMorimoto (691038) on Tuesday May 31 2005, @12:10PM (#12685337)
    "Toyota Eldery Care Technology support, how can I help you?"

    "I've fallen, and I can't get up."

    "Is your ElderCare 5000 series nearby?"

    "I forgot to recharge Willy last night."

    "Willy? Who is Willy?"

    "Well -- that's my robot's name. After my first husband, before he died in the Vietnam War. He was such a loveable man...kind to his children...and..."

    "Uh -- ma'am -- does 'Willy' have a base charge?"

    "What? I can't hear ya real good. Willy has my Miracle Ear stored in his chest compartment."

    "I SAID -- DOES 'WILLY' HAVE A BASE CHARGE?"

    "Base charge? What's that? I only know the green lights and the one with the blinking red light."

    "Can you reach Willy from where you're lying?"

    "Can I touch my willy so you can spy on me? You whippersnapper pervert! I'll have you fired! How digusting..."

    "Ma'am -- please hold."

    [technician initiates kill mode on ElderCare 5000 via GPS and remote activation protocols]

    "Ma'am -- are you still there?"

    "Yes -- Willy is moving around now. What did you do?"

    "It'll all be over soon."

    "What? A tall rover's moon? Hey! Willy?! What are you doin'? Willy?! Put that TV down! He's gone amock! What's going on?! Willy?! WILLY?!"

    [slam - click - dial-tone - ring]

    "Toyota Eldery Care Technology support, how can I help you?"

    IronChefMorimoto

  • boost to the robots industry (Score:4, Insightful)

    by unk1911 (250141) on Tuesday May 31 2005, @12:10PM (#12685341) Homepage
    Nothing would give a greater boost to the robot industry than a RoboGirl...

    --
    http://unk1911.blogspot.com/ [blogspot.com]

  • looking after the elderly? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by binarstu (720435) on Tuesday May 31 2005, @12:12PM (#12685355)
    We already have a culture that puts the elderly away into nursing homes or retirement communities rather than having families take care of them. This is in sharp contrast to the way elderly members of most cultures have traditionally been cared for. A few generations back in the U.S., most elderly lived with their families as they aged.

    Now we're in the process of developing technology so that we won't even need to use precious human labor in taking care of the aged among us. This sounds like a sad development to me.
    • Well, look at the mathematics. The Japanese population is aging rapidly, their birth rate is plummeting, and by 2050 there are going to be, what, two people of working age for every retiree. You can't afford to devote 50% of your work force to home helping. Wouldn't you rather most of these folks be given the independence to live at home with a bit of a robo-boost rather than be housed in a labor-conserving institutional setting which resembles nothing so much as a factory farm minus the chickenwire?

      Si

  • As long as they don't (Score:3, Funny)

    by joncue (541265) on Tuesday May 31 2005, @12:19PM (#12685417) Homepage
    Make one that will open a jar, my wife will keep me around....

  • Robot Nation (Score:4, Interesting)

    by TheKubrix (585297) on Tuesday May 31 2005, @01:25PM (#12686078) Homepage
    For the tin foil hat crowd, heres an interesting essay about robots taking over,...and how it starts with general services:

    http://marshallbrain.com/robotic-nation.htm [marshallbrain.com]

    • Using your cynical (yet realistic) logic, robots will replace "undocumented workers" as soon as possible.

      You only have to buy a robot once. You don't pay income, or income tax. The robot always shows up. Provided it has matience costs lower than health care costs (not that you pay health care costs for illegal aliens), it will be cheaper in the long run.

      Which brings it to the next economic problem. As robots become moer dynamic instead specialized welders for exmaple, and are able to replace more a

    • You managed to take an article from a London-based news agency, written in Tokyo, based on an outrageous claim from a Japanese company and referencing only other Japanese companies... and use it to bash the US.

      This place is getting more and more pathetic by the hour.
      • You managed to take an article from a London-based news agency, written in Tokyo, based on an outrageous claim from a Japanese company and referencing only other Japanese companies... and use it to bash the US.

        Yep, that was my take on the posting as well. However, although I think he meant to bash the US I think his aim was off. The Roomba, besides being a real product and not just hot air, happens to have first rate design and software. An example of a useful product and not just fanboy technology for i

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