This robot might just be the answer to all your household cleaning needs.
The latest prototype from the Japan-based company Aeolus Robotics is here to do the dishes for you. Currently on display at CES 2023—the most influential tech event in the world—the prototype is a humanoid robot designed to benefit people through the use of its high-functioning technology. Known as Aeo, its primary purpose is to act as a service robot in elderly care facilities in order to ease the strain on caregivers, nurses, and other medical professionals in these environments (Aeolus Robotics).
Aeo has autonomous navigation through using its high-tech sensors, which allow it to “see” its environment and avoid obstacles. The robot can be used for patrolling, security, and food and medication delivery. Its right arm has versatile maneuvering capabilities, allowing it to carry objects, while its left arm has a UV light that disinfects surfaces. It’s able to tell the difference between staff and patients, and it can even be controlled remotely when necessary. In addition, this latest model has a screen on its head displaying a pair of large eyes, a clear attempt from designers to humanize Aeo (Tech Crunch).
Within the healthcare industry, the impact of such a highly skilled robot could be massive. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, healthcare workers have been extremely overworked; this burden has not eased up due to the new global health issues that continue to rise. With the addition of bots like Aeo in care facilities of all kinds, essential workers in these industries will hopefully experience a reduction in their strenuous workload.
Aeo bots have already proved themselves effective in aiding health care staff. Since the company’s debut at CES in 2018, they have been used in elderly care facilities across Japan, which is currently their sole market. However, Aeolus is looking to expand its consumer audience to other markets, and this just might be the year Aeo takes off worldwide. Although Aeolus hasn’t released information regarding pricing yet, the company has stated that they hope to rent out Aeo bots as a service instead of just selling them (CNET).
Additionally, Aeolus intends to further Aeo’s reach beyond elderly care homes to include schools, offices, and even private households in the near future. The bot’s high-tech capabilities would allow it to complete a wide range of tasks, such as security patrolling, assisting educators, and cleaning houses. The robot’s prospective success in these markets appears to be promising given its current popularity in Japanese care facilities.
The advancements made within the tech industry regarding humanoid robots, such as Aeo, have made one thing pretty clear: the future is here, and it contains more wild and exciting possibilities than we would have thought possible.