Samsung Robot Release: The Vacuum is Coming!

Over the past few years, Samsung’s presentations at the Consumer Electronics Show have showcased a variety of advanced home robots. These robots demonstrate intelligence, dexterity, and an appealing design. However, creating functional home robots presents significant challenges. The continued success of the robotic vacuum cleaner, nearly two decades after the introduction of the Roomba, highlights just how difficult this endeavor is.

This explains why the JetBot 90 AI+ Vacuum appears to be the most realistically achievable home robotics product revealed at the event. The company also presented updates to the Bot Handy, initially shown at the previous year’s exhibition. Alongside the introduction of the Bot Care, these robots align more closely with the humanoid robot designs often depicted in science fiction films and stories.

Currently, science fiction remains a key descriptor for these technologies. Last year’s demonstration featured the robots performing pre-programmed tasks on stage, with limited interaction with people, resembling a choreographed show. This is understandable, as substantial development is still required, and the technology currently serves more as a proof of concept than a finished product.

Samsung referenced a “not too distant future” for this technology, while a disclaimer on the screen stated, “This robot is undergoing research and development, and is not yet for sale.” This seems a conservative assessment, considering the Bot Care, a wheeled robot, reminds its owner of appointments and initiates video conferencing.

It’s unlikely that we will see these technologies widely available during the present pandemic, although one could argue that the company is preparing for a “new normal.” The Bot Handy’s ability to transfer dishes from the sink to the dishwasher appears equally distant from practical realization.

While I am open to being proven incorrect, I don’t anticipate a commercially viable version of this technology becoming available in the immediate future. However, the JetBot 90 AI+ Vacuum is a product we can look forward to. It is expected to be released in the U.S. sometime during the first half of this year.

This robot vacuum incorporates an integrated lidar sensor, working in conjunction with an object detection algorithm to create an optimal cleaning path throughout the user’s home. Notably, the camera can also be accessed remotely by the user, functioning as a security camera and a tool for monitoring pets (although Samsung avoids explicitly using these terms).