Can you imagine a robot helping you at home? Well, you might not need to imagine it anymore… At a technology fair in China called Beyond Expo, the company AI² Robotics presented AlphaBot 2. This robot is a step towards a future where these machines could help us at home with everyday tasks, such as serving tea, washing dishes, or even playing and interacting with humans.
The idea of having a “robot butler” that understands what we want and acts on its own is no longer science fiction, even Elon Musk has come up with new technological ideas on this matter. With today’s advances in embedded artificial intelligence, these robots are getting closer and closer to becoming a reality in our daily lives. So, let’s see if you could own one of these, shall we?
AlphaBot 2, the robot of your dreams
AlphaBot 2 is not another regular robot, it has the ability to understand what you ask, respond emotionally and even learn by observing humans – so be careful with what you do. During the exhibition, it participated in a dice game, interacting with people and reacting with gestures such as “thumbs up” when someone won.
According to the site Interesting Engineering, this is possible thanks to “body artificial intelligence” technology, which allows the it to recognize its environment, interpret what is happening and act accordingly. This means that the robot no longer needs to be programmed with rigid instructions, as was previously the case. Simply, tell it what you want, and AlphaBot 2 can act autonomously within the context.
Will it only be used at home?
Not at all! AlphaBot 2 is already being used in automobile factories in China, and there are plans for it to begin operating in airports from the end of 2025, helping with tasks such as organizing baggage carts.
AI² Robotics CEO, Guo Yandong, explained that the robot sends up to the minute information to an artificial intelligence model developed by the company. This makes the it able to learn new things while it is working, adapt to different situations and improve with the experience it has gained.
Guo also commented that we are going towards a new era where robots can understand human language and the environment without constant intervention. Basically, we could relate more to these machines in some aspects since we won’t be interacting with a yes-no answer robot.
AlphaBot 2 features
How is it possible this machine is able to do these many human actions? It’s because the robot is designed with features that allow it to work in different places, such as a kitchen or a factory, without strict instructions. Let’s see what these features are:
- – 34 degrees of freedom in its body, giving it human-like movements.
- – A 700 mm long arm system and the ability to extend up to 240 cm.
- – Tactile sensors with force feedback, allowing it to perform smooth movements when necessary.
- – A set of 360° cameras, microphones, environmental sensors and facial recognition, which help it detect and understand its surroundings and the people it interacts with.
Future of the market
This market is so attractive that it’s reaching overwhelming numbers. According to reports cited by Global Times and the official Xinhua news agency, this market in China could reach about $1.14 billion by 2025 B – which is half of the global market. Also, it is estimated that this market could grow to over $121 billion by 2030.
This shows that this is not just a technological curiosity, but a new industry with a huge economic potential. We are getting closer to that futuristic, science-fiction world we have always imagined, which some people might enjoy and others hate. Would you like to have one of these robots at home helping you? Who knows if this robot could become someone’s best friend in the future.