If we are to be believe old science fiction film and literature, our homes should be filled with robots by now.
While this isn’t the case in most modern households, these predictions are at least partially true. There are a number of domestic robots out there, with most of them capable of being purchased commercially.
Here are a few of the top models, ranging from those that are relatively common fixtures in many modern to groundbreaking prototypes that are not yet available to the public.
Vacuum cleaners
These are perhaps one of the most common and easily available types of domestic robot around today, with iRobot’s Roomba and Electrolux’s Trilobite models easily being the most well known.
Looking a little like the Roamer Turtle robot you may remember fondly from primary school, these little droids methodically work their way around your floor.
Special on board technology makes sure that they don’t plummet down stairs or repeatedly bash into things.
Pet care
Automated cat feeders have been around for some time, but now there are robots to help with the other end of the feline digestive cycle.
Litter Robot is a self-cleaning cat litter box that is a far more sophisticated version of previous automated litter box models.
Able to detect whether there is a cat inside, filter out clumps of waste and reduce odor by sealing it in its base.
The Litter Robot is a great way to deal with arguably the most unpleasant part of owning a cat.
Lawn mowers
Robotic lawn mowers can maintain up to 5 acres of grass if required. Generally a little less sophisticated than their robotic vacuum cleaner cousins.
Robotic lawn mowers require the user to mark the boundaries of the lawn to be mowed with a border wire (and it also helps to have its recharging station handy if it’s in for a long job).
They are pretty popular, representing the second most common type of domestic robot used since 2005.
Therapy
Today, animals are frequently used as part of therapy with children, the elderly and indeed anyone in need.
However, animals are not always able to be employed, usually due to reasons such as hygiene and allergy concerns.
This is why robots such as Paro is modeled after a baby harp seal. It is aimed to produce the same beneficial effects as a real animal.
Now if only we had fully automated dishwashers… that would have been great.
