Home, Star, Trucker - Exploring Themes of Belonging and the Road

iRobot and the Rise of Home Robotics

Following Amazon's unveiling of its home robot, immediate consideration turned to iRobot's position in the market. The company previously established dominance in home robotics a decade ago, largely through the success of the Roomba.

A significant challenge for companies experiencing a major hit product lies in defining the next innovation. Subsequent robotic ventures from iRobot, such as the pool cleaning Mirra and gutter clearing Looj, didn't achieve the same level of success.

The Scooba mopping line showed some promise, but was eventually superseded by the Braava brand, acquired in 2012.

Stay informed with the free newsletter, Actuator, delivered directly to your inbox.

Amazon's entry into the market with Astro presents a new competitive dynamic. While Astro doesn't currently offer vacuuming capabilities, it focuses on smart home features that iRobot is actively developing for future Roomba models.

Amazon is essentially exploring consumer interest in a multi-functional home robot, compared to a specialized robotic vacuum with expanded features.

Despite the emerging competition, iRobot remains committed to its partnership with Amazon, as stated by CEO Colin Angle.

Research in Human-Robot Interaction

Several intriguing research projects are underway. One, originating from MIT's CSAIL, investigates how robots will interact with humans as they become more integrated into daily life.

Researcher Boris Katz emphasizes the need for robots to “understand when it is time for them to help and when it is time for them to see what they can do to prevent something from happening,” enabling more natural communication.

Another project from ETH Zurich explores the use of cilia-like hairs to propel microbots for medical applications, including drug delivery and surgery. Ultrasound technology is utilized to create vortexes, enabling precise movement of these tiny robots.

NVIDIA's Expansion into Healthcare Robotics

NVIDIA recently unveiled Clara Holoscan at the GTC Keynote, signaling a significant investment in the healthcare sector.

This platform is intended to contribute to the advancement of surgical and other medical device robotics.

Investment in Robotic Delivery

Kodiak Robotics, a prominent autonomous trucking company, secured $125 million in an oversubscribed Series B funding round. This brings their total funding to $165 million since their founding in 2018.

Founder and CEO Don Burnette highlighted the company’s progress and future ambitions.

CES Innovation Awards and Robotics

Despite it being early in the year, preparations for CES are underway. The author was involved as a judge for the annual CES Innovation Awards, and the honorees have been announced.

Several robotics companies were recognized, though many of these innovations are geared towards consumers. Consumer-focused robots often fall short, frequently functioning as expensive novelties.

Here are some of the notable robotics selections:

• Avlar Essentials: Modular building blocks for robotic application testing and prototype development.
• Doosan’s Project NINA: A system designed to “democratize filming robots,” allowing remote control for complex shots.
• H Robotics’s rebless: A physical therapy system for arm and leg rehabilitation.
• Leica BLK ARC: A laser scanning model compatible with robots like Boston Dynamics’ Spot for mobile 3D scanning.
• Monarch: An autonomous electric tractor.
• Ted: A weeding robot specifically designed for vineyard use.
• John Deere’s See & Spray: An AI-powered system that targets and sprays weeds.