Domestic robots: metallic assistants that humans have imagined in our homes for a century. Is it and will it remain just a fantasy? Some say that we are here, that moment has arrived: domestic robots could become a tangible reality in less than a decade.
I'm not talking about automatic vacuum cleaners or voice assistants, but real humanoid helpers, capable of performing a wide range of tasks. Geordie Rose, the CEO of Sanctuary AI, entrusted the BBC with a precise vision about what the next decade might bring to our homes.
Is the era of home robots really less than 10 years away from reality?
“Ten years at the current rate of technology is an eternity,” Rose said. He is right. Every month new developments emerge in the world of AI that represent fundamental changes - but what does this mean for people? Imagine coming home after a long day at work and finding domestic robots (like the Phoenix that the US startup is developing) that have already prepared dinner, cleaned the house and perhaps even watered the plants.
Sounds like science fiction, right? It wouldn't be the first time: science fiction doesn't predict the future, but it certainly inspires it.
Phoenix, ambassador of the future
Phoenix it is not a simple robot. With his 170 cm height and a weight of 70 kg, he is somewhat of the spearhead of Sanctuary AI's research. Aside from the bare numbers, however, Phoenix is a concentration of advanced technology. This robot could become our personal assistant, helping us with a myriad of daily tasks.
Without going too far into the technical details (which could make even the most tech-savvy dizzy!), Phoenix uses a combination of advanced artificial intelligence and precision mechanics. This allows it to learn, adapt and ultimately assist humans in a variety of tasks currently impossible to predict.
In a pilot project conducted in March of this year, the humanoid was assigned to a retail store in Vancouver, Canada, where it performed 110 retail-related tasks in both the front and back of the store. Duties include picking and packing merchandise, labeling, folding clothes and cleaning the store.
The implications of a robotic future
Of course, the idea of having domestic robots that help us keep the house has a certain appeal, but it is essential to also reflect on the implications of such a future. How will it affect our way of life? What will the ethical challenges be? And most importantly, how will we ensure that these machines are safe and reliable?
And if Phoenix decides one day to join a robot uprising (perhaps backed by Optimus, from figure, from Atlas and from all the others currently in development) and… take a day off?
Imagine finding him on the couch, can of oil in hand, watching sci-fi movie marathons.
Seriously: robots will become an integral part of our lives, so let's keep a balanced approach, with an open mind and a curious heart, combining enthusiasm and caution.
