The technological breakthroughs in automation have led to a significant shift in the labor trends as automated robots are replacing humans in many fields. Here’s a look at five robots that exemplify this automation.
The Cleaner
The ‘Evolution Mint Cleaner’ is an automated hard floor cleaning robot that can be employed in homes and offices. The user needs to attach a disposable microfiber cloth and set it in either dry or damp mode. The navigation system enables the Cleaner to map floors with the built-in sensors, navigating obstacles like walls, furniture, and carpets. The device has been programed to clean edges of the walls, around the furniture and reach places where your average vacuum cleaner cannot. Or, where you just wouldn’t bother.
Robocop
The ‘K5’ robot is an autonomous device designed to provide safety and security in schools, corporations, malls, and other public places. Equipped with cameras, lasers, microphone, thermal imaging, and air quality sensors, the K5 can be hired for about $6.50 per hour. The software also includes facial and gesture recognition, and monitors social media feeds for any signs of distress nearby. The device can process up to 90 terabytes of data and this can be transmitted to the authorities when faced with potential danger. It functions as a substitute for security guards in areas where there are not many security concerns.
The Lifeguard
EMILY, the lifeguard robot is seen to the left, with a orange flag sticking up. (Courtesy of Hydronalix)
The Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard (EMILY) is an automated lifeguard system developed by Hydronalix, a company from Arizona. Enabled with sensors to detect distress signals from swimmers, the robot can reportedly reach the victim six times faster than an average human lifeguard. It weighs 25 pounds, and with a top speed of 22 mph, EMILY can “provide flotation until a rescuer arrives, deliver life jackets, or pull a recovery rescue line up to 800 yards through strong currents and large surf,” as per the company website. EMILY can be safely dropped from helicopters into the ocean and can withstand top speed impact with rocks and pilings.
Domo
The ‘Domo’ is a humanoid robot that can easily execute multiple tasks at a time. Its special motion-capture software, video analysis, and actuators enable it to identify and arrange objects by figuring out the rough dimensions of the object. The elderly and the handicapped will find it particularly useful as it is designed to help people with everyday chores like organizing groceries in the cupboard, which is considered quite a complicated task for a robot.
The Spy
AeroVironment has developed a robotic hummingbird capable of discrete aerial surveillance both indoors and outdoors. Named one of the best 50 inventions of 2011 by TIME Magazine, the Nano Hummingbird has surpassed a number of technical milestones set by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA, part of the U.S. Department of Defense). The device is enabled with tiny cameras, can hover, and can tolerate 5 mph wind gusts. It can ascend or descend, fly forward, backward, and sideways and can enter environments that are often inaccessible to humans.
Liberte Media writers contributed to this report. Liberte Media is an online agency that focuses on increasing user engagement through search engine optimization, pay-per-clicks, social media marketing, and content management.
*Image of a robot arm via Shutterstock
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