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Ex-Googler's startup comes out of stealth with simple, clever robot design

spectrum.ieee.org

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Re: Ex-Googler's startup comes out of stealth with simple, clever robot design

#61

Post by bArray »

spyckie2 wrote: post #26

Things it can't do: - go up stairs - get up after a fall / reset itself - pick up heavy objects - precise motion (so no cooking) - interact with buttons or touch screens (so laundry might be hard) The one use case I think it might be worth it is if the robot can take a room full of toys and return everything back to where it belongs. Kind of like a one click, reset this room. If it can help me keep organized and clea…

Things it can't do (extended):

- operate in your particular setting (it's likely over-trained for that specific environment)

- run for long periods of time as a fully autonomous robot

- be anywhere near small humans or animals

- do any of the tasks in the video with any kind of speed or precision

- learn new tasks

- handle multiple objectives, or even process the request of a single objective reliably

This is nowhere near being consumer grade. It'll either ship half-baked or you'll have to get on the "it's just around the corner" train, along with the autonomous vehicle guys.

Re: Ex-Googler's startup comes out of stealth with simple, clever robot design

#62

Post by ragebol »

spyckie2 wrote: post #26

Things it can't do: - go up stairs - get up after a fall / reset itself - pick up heavy objects - precise motion (so no cooking) - interact with buttons or touch screens (so laundry might be hard) The one use case I think it might be worth it is if the robot can take a room full of toys and return everything back to where it belongs. Kind of like a one click, reset this room. If it can help me keep organized and clea…

- Set the table

- Gather & sort laundry, maybe even put in the washing machine

- Gather dishes and maybe put them in the washer

All chores easy for an able bodies human. But imagine having some disability or getting older. Getting back that autonomy in your life is definitely worth the money. Heck, if I have to pick between playing with my newborn son or doing the above and the likes, I'd trade my car for a robot that can do this.

Re: Ex-Googler's startup comes out of stealth with simple, clever robot design

#63

Post by dr_dshiv »

mosselman wrote: post #31
spyckie2 wrote: post #26

Things it can't do: - go up stairs - get up after a fall / reset itself - pick up heavy objects - precise motion (so no cooking) - interact with buttons or touch screens (so laundry might be hard) The one use case I think it might be worth it is if the robot can take a room full of toys and return everything back to where it belongs. Kind of like a one click, reset this room. If it can help me keep organized and clea…

Or you could teach your kids to clean up their toys themselves. Make it a fun game for example. Set an example by putting away your own groceries as soon as you put them in the kitchen. Boom 5k saved. Maybe they will grow up to not be the type of person who leaves all of their crap on the table of the university table after they are done studying. To be clear: I am not shifting on you as a parent. I am making fun of…

I specifically had children because they are like little robots.

Re: Ex-Googler's startup comes out of stealth with simple, clever robot design

#64

Post by hyko »

gojomo wrote: post #23

I'm looking forward to the day a small home robot can do the dishes, in the sink – replacing a dishwasher machine. This looks like a small step in that direction.

Dishwasher drawers have already solved this problem, at 5–10% of the cost of one of these robots (that can’t yet solve the problem).

Re: Ex-Googler's startup comes out of stealth with simple, clever robot design

#65

Post by ragebol »

panabee wrote: post #41

this is very cool. could anyone help break down the costs? specifically: 1. what are the most expensive parts, and how fast is technology advancing (or costs declining) on those parts? 2. what scale is necessary for a comparable robot to retail for < $1000?

- Cameras. I think that's an Intel RealSense on top

- Lidar on the base. RPi-Lidar costs a few hundred dollars.

- Motors. A bunch of Dynamixels according to the docs, also a couple hundred dollars each

- Carbon fiber tubes. No idea what those cost.

Re: Ex-Googler's startup comes out of stealth with simple, clever robot design

#66

Post by pjc50 »

techie128 wrote: post #46
mosselman wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or you could teach your kids to clean up their toys themselves. Make it a fun game for example. Set an example by putting away your own groceries as soon as you put them in the kitchen. Boom 5k saved. Maybe they will grow up to not be the type of person who leaves all of their crap on the table of the university table after they are done studying. To be clear: I am not shifting on you as a parent. I am making fun of…

Instead of building robots, perhaps we should allow low cost care workers to help immobile people. These care workers can be sourced locally or abroad (immigrants). Boom. You've just lifted someone out of poverty and helped an immobile human get a live human care taker.

All well and good until a pandemic comes along.

Re: Ex-Googler's startup comes out of stealth with simple, clever robot design

#67

Post by manigandham »

spyckie2 wrote: post #26

Things it can't do: - go up stairs - get up after a fall / reset itself - pick up heavy objects - precise motion (so no cooking) - interact with buttons or touch screens (so laundry might be hard) The one use case I think it might be worth it is if the robot can take a room full of toys and return everything back to where it belongs. Kind of like a one click, reset this room. If it can help me keep organized and clea…

The base can be redesigned and replaced to be more capable, or more customized to the environment it works in. Attaching some Segway bits would work.

Re: Ex-Googler's startup comes out of stealth with simple, clever robot design

#69

Post by russellbeattie »

nick0garvey wrote: post #30

The idea of it being controlled by a remote person makes me feel like a new breed of gig-jobs could be around the corner. Buy a robot, and pay someone remotely to do your housekeeping for you. The housekeeper could even operate it from their smartphones.

Actually, I imagine these robots connected to video game consoles so people with OCD from around the world can compete to see who can clean and organize real houses faster or more efficiently... Who needs a gig economy when you can gameify it!

Re: Ex-Googler's startup comes out of stealth with simple, clever robot design

#70

Post by anthonybennis »

The potential here is amazing. It's very early days, but this is the first Robot I've seen that makes me think home assistant robotics is technically and financially feasible. It does not need to be consumer priced from day one as there are many high value scenarios that could benefit from this robot. For example, home care in Europe costs governments millions every year. Even remotely controlled by a carer would be an application for today.
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