These robots are designed to help people with limited mobility
” that always fail to materialize as real products. But two new bots created by a startup named Labrador Systems look like they’ll break this cycle. Why? Because the company has kept things simple —The Caddie and Retriever robots are designed to move stuff from A to B
The robots’ max load is 25 pounds, or around 11 kilograms. They move at a steady walking pace and recharge themselves automatically overnight. The big difference between the two machines is that Retriever can raise and lower itself. and has a pair of conveyor-belt like arms that lets it grab trays . But the selling point for both is the same: “move stuff from A to B.
In a live-streamed demo, I saw the Retriever robot wheel itself up to a fridge which had been retrofitted with motors on its door. The fridge swung open and the robot used its arms to slide a tray out from a shelf in the refrigerator and carry it over to another location. Dooley says Labrador will offer this sort of retrofitted set-up to customers, allowing them to create routines that offer extra independence to those who need regular care.
This work showed him the benefits of keeping robots simple by narrowing down their functionality. Many home robots fail before they’ve even launched because they try to do too much, promising customers they’ll be emptying the dishwasher or vacuuming the carpet — tasks that are extremely challenging for machines to complete even within tightly-controlled lab conditions, let alone the ever-changing chaos of the average home.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Self-Driving Cars 2021 Year In ReviewHere's a countdown of the 10 1/2 big stories of 2021 in self-driving cars — Cruise, Waymo, Apple, China, San Francisco, Delivery, Trucking — it's all here and more.
Read more »
The At-Home Self-Care Practice Real Women Swear ByWe're prioritizing self-care in 2022 with these at-home tips and tricks.
Read more »
Are All These Diverse Dolls Actually Making a Difference for Kids' Self-Esteem?The doll aisle is more inclusive than it’s ever been, but can we actually pull that narrative off the shelf and into real life?
Read more »
Military medics and mechanics may soon have access to a virtual help desk through AMIGOSSometime in the future, a mechanic may need to fix a robot they've never encountered before. Here's how AI and AR could help.
Read more »
Be Resolute To Reduce That Nighttime Artificial Light Pollution, Which AI Self-Driving Cars Can Help Solve (But Doing So Will Be Tricky)Artificial light at nighttime is a known pollution issue, for which car headlights are a contributor. Consider whether self-driving cars will reduce such light pollution or potentially worsen it.
Read more »
Be Resolute To Reduce That Nighttime Artificial Light Pollution, Which AI Self-Driving Cars Can Help Solve (But Doing So Will Be Tricky)Artificial light at nighttime is a known pollution issue, for which car headlights are a contributor. Consider whether self-driving cars will reduce such light pollution or potentially worsen it.
Read more »