Lazy No More: Scientists Hack Roomba to Become Your Personal Home Assistant
Is your Roomba just gathering dust between cleaning sessions? Researchers at the University of Bath think these popular robot vacuums are vastly underutilized, and they've devised a way to transform them into versatile home assistants. Get ready to say goodbye to idle robots and hello to a future where your Roomba does more than just vacuum!
The team, led by Yoshiaki Shiokawa and Dr. Adwait Sharma, has identified over 100 potential new functions for these seemingly simple devices. The core idea? To leverage the robots' mobility and sensing capabilities during their substantial downtime.
"Mobile domestic robots, like robot vacuum cleaners and lawnmowers, are perceived as limited, single-task devices but there is a strong argument that they are under-used for practical tasks. For most of the day, they sit idle," said Yoshiaki Shiokawa.
To prove their point, the researchers reprogrammed a Roomba to perform four distinct tasks:
- Mobile Phone Charger: The Roomba will hunt you down, offering a wireless charge.
- Workout Projector: Exercising at home? Your Roomba can now project workout videos on the wall or ceiling.
- Home Monitor: Get a live video feed from your Roomba, allowing you to check on the oven or other areas remotely.
- "Do Not Disturb" Sign: Need some peace and quiet? The Roomba will display a "Do Not Disturb" message outside your door.
But the possibilities don't stop there! Imagine your Roomba playing with your cat, watering your plants, carrying groceries, or even helping you get up from a chair. Dr. Sharma said, "Idle time presents unique opportunities for value-adding interactions and it aligns with the growing need for adaptable robots and integrated systems that can seamlessly fit into our daily lives."
With the domestic robot market projected to grow significantly, this research suggests a future where our robot helpers are far more integrated into our daily lives. Instead of being single-task devices, they could become versatile assistants, adapting to our needs and making our homes more efficient.
What other tasks would you like to see your Roomba perform? Let us know in the comments below!