自动化正在改变世界，而且多年来一直如此。机器人设备帮助制造我们的车辆，而人工智能和机器学习(intelligence and machine learning)正在改变企业的运营方式和人们扮演的企业角色。
这是一个令人着迷的进展——(– one)一些人不愿宣布积极的进展，担心机器人会取代太多的人类价值。我们可能不希望机器人接管我们的工作，但有些任务你可能不介意让它们接管，即在房子周围。
试想一下，如果您不必担心打扫或庭院工作(cleaning or yard work)，您可以将精力投入到更有意义的活动中，而这些活动很可能是您目前没有时间进行的。如果您准备放弃一些家务，请查看这五个准备提供帮助的机器人。
1. iRobot – 吸尘器和拖把
不是每个人都有时间每周对整个房子进行一次以上的吸尘，即便如此，如果您要确保角落和缝隙、床下和梳妆台下的灰尘和碎屑(dust and detritus)都被清除，这也是一项耗时的任务（更不用说，后面这些领域很难获得真空）。还有拖地？更像是一个月一次。
使用 iRobot Roomba吸尘和Braava拖地，您不必再担心这些任务，并且可以确保他们得到更定期的照顾。Roomba 的成本约为 250 至 1,100 美元，而Braava 的(Braava)成本约为 200 至 300 美元。
龙巴
无论您购买哪种型号，iRobot Roomba 真空吸尘器都是先进的。(Roomba vacuum)要真正了解它的强大功能，请阅读带有Clean Base™ 自动除污功能的(Clean Base™ Automatic Dirt Disposal)Roomba® i7+ 机器人(Robot Vacuum)。
这款Roomba 型号(Roomba model)配有一个可自动清空的废物容器(waste container)，这意味着 1）您不必抽真空，2）您不必清空真空。
如果您担心Roomba做得很好，请不要担心——它(t worry–it)确实如此。“优质的 3 级清洁系统(Cleaning System)使用双多表面橡胶刷(Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes)和 10 倍吸力来清洁您家中不同的地板表面，”该公司表示。
正如您所料，它也很聪明，能够学习、绘制地图并适应您家中的变化。您还可以使用 iRobot HOME 应用程序(HOME app)指定它清扫的房间、时间和方式。
布拉瓦
就像它的兄弟机器人Roomba一样，Braava
展示了一系列非凡的功能。特别是，Braava 380t
能够使用导航立方体导航您的楼层，使其能够在多个房间中找到路径并确保完全覆盖。
(Braava)无论您需要扫地还是拖地，Braava都会照顾您所有的裸地板和硬木地板。您可以连接 iRobots
超细纤维(microfiber)布或使用一次性Swiffer 垫(Swiffer pads)来完成正确的工作。不要担心它会留下污垢。Braava使用 iRobot 所谓的三次拖地动作来确保您的地板在完成后得到抛光。
2. Ecovacs Winbot – 窗户清洁剂
如果您讨厌清洁地板，那么您可能更讨厌清洁窗户。这绝对是大多数人几个月都放弃的那些可怕的家务之一，甚至可能让它成为一年一次的任务。
但是干净的窗户通常是帮助您的房子看起来绝对最好的关键方法。ECOVACS WINBOT X(ECOVACS WINBOT X)售价约 450 美元，是一款出色的机器人，可确保您的家中始终如此。
WINBOT 贴(WINBOT)在您家的窗户上，根据每扇窗户的大小和形状(size and shape)，它会选择穿过玻璃的最佳路线，以确保它使用四阶段清洁过程(cleaning process)来擦亮每一寸。WINBOT还使用深度清洁双通道模式(double-pass mode)，以确保最脏的窗户干净。
有些人可能想知道窗户上的机器人有多安全。毕竟，如果它失去吸力并脱落怎么办？事实上， WINBOT(WINBOT)确实使用(fact use)了强吸风扇技术(suction fan technology)来保持其附着在玻璃上，并提高其清洁窗户的能力。
边缘(Edge)传感器帮助它了解何时接近窗户边缘。WINBOT还使用先进的安全系绳系统(Safety Tether System)，如果机器人失去吸力，该系统会拉回机器人，确保它不会掉落。
可以肯定地说，WINBOT是一个很有前途的解决方案，可以解决耗时的清洁窗户任务，尤其是如果您家中有许多大窗户。
3. FoldiMate – 自动洗衣文件夹(FoldiMate – Automatic Laundry Folder)
洗衣服已经够糟糕的了，特别是如果你必须在一个屋檐下为多个人洗衣服。但如果有比洗衣服更糟糕的事情，那就是把你洗过的所有衣服都叠起来。
伸出援助之手很好，现在你可以确保你总是有一个FoldiMate，这是一种自动洗衣文件夹(laundry folder)，一旦这个机器人在 2019 年推出，售价约为 980 美元（估计）。
虽然FoldiMate不能神奇地捡起一堆衣服并开始将它们整理成整齐的衬衫和裤子，但你所要做的就是使用它的电子夹子机制将一件衣服夹在(clipping mechanism)FoldiMate的折叠托盘上，这个机器人就会为你做剩下的。
根据制造商的说法，当它折叠你的衣服时，你可以继续往里面放更多的衣服，保持一个连续的过程，让你在五分钟内折叠一批衣服。一项周到的功能允许您指定折叠衣服的尺寸，以确保它们能很好地放在架子上和抽屉里。
如果您无法忍受折叠(stand folding)衣服，并且您的衣物通常会在几周内堆积如山，那么 FoldiMate(FoldiMate)可能是一个很棒的机器人，可以在它启动时添加到您的洗衣房。
4. Kobi – 多功能庭院机器人(Kobi – Multifunctional Yard Robot)
有些人喜欢庭院工作；其他人则鄙视它，尤其是随着年龄的增长，并且在合理的时间内完成任务需要付出更多的努力。
如果你宁愿夏天(summer relaxing)在阳光下放松，喝一杯冰茶(ice tea)和一本书，而不是割草，或者你的冬天坐在(winter sitting)温暖的火炉旁，而不是铲雪，Kobi，一个完全自主和电动的多功能庭院机器人(yard robot)，想要在你的后院棚子里建造新家，基本模型(base model)的成本约为 3,000 美元。
Kobi是另一款在一群早起的测试者之外尚未正式推出的机器人，但可以肯定地说，当这款机器推出时，它会引起很多关注。
尽管成本很高，但Kobi看起来非常有能力完成您的庭院工作(yard work)，能够修剪草坪、去除树叶和吹雪。
让Kobi为您做这一切的好处是，您可以为自己腾出更多时间，减少污染，如果辛苦劳动对您的年龄造成危险，则可以避免健康风险，并减少多年来的维护费用。
由于其先进的防盗系统，您的Kobi不会为其他任何人这样做，该系统会发出(Kobi)刺耳的警报(piercing alarm)并在您的智能手机上向您发送警报。Kobi也会禁用自身，如果被盗，它会变得毫无用处。
这个机器人的惊人之处在于它足够聪明，可以知道天气会是什么样子，让它保持主动并在需要时做它需要做的工作。如果你愿意，你可以告诉Kobi要做什么，但你不必这样做。坐下(Just sit)来放松一下。
5. iRobot – 天沟清洁工
做院子里的工作(yard work)已经够辛苦了，但是一些季节性的工作简直是危险的。
一项这样的户外琐事(outdoor chore)是排水沟清洁。无论您必须站在 10 英尺或 30 英尺的梯子上，尽可能地伸手去抓树叶并将它们放入桶中，还是沿着屋顶的屋檐行走，用手持吹叶机吹出碎片 -(leaf blower –)都是冒着生命危险保持排水沟畅通真的值得吗？
iRobot 不(iRobot doesn)这么认为，这就是他们制造Looj 330 排水沟清洁机器人(Gutter Cleaning Robot)的原因，它的售价约为 300 美元。
当您分析其设计时， Looj 330的工作方式与您想象的一样。它位于您的排水沟中并(gutter and moves)自动移动，以 500 RPM的速度旋转其刀片以分解堵塞物并将碎屑和树叶从排水沟中取出。清扫机和刮刀可以清除排水沟中剩下的任何东西。
如果你想手动控制机器人，你可以从遥控器。无论哪种方式，您都可以在大约五分钟内清理出一段 30 英尺的排水沟，这不仅可以节省您与工作相关的风险，还可以节省大量时间。(time saver)
机器人是你的朋友
虽然我们当然不希望机器人接管我们的工作和生活，但这些机器人是我们如何利用技术和自动化(technology and automation)的力量来改善我们的生活的很好的例子，让我们不得不在家中自行管理的工作变得更加轻松。
如果您想在一天中有更多的时间和/或不想担心对您的健康构成风险的辛苦劳动，那么在这些机器人上投入一些钱可能是值得的。
你见过的其他机器人可以成为家庭的重要补充吗？让我们在评论中知道。
Five Robots Every Future-Conscious Homeowner Needs
Automation is changіng the world, and it has beеn for years. Robotic apparatuses help build our vehicles, while artificial intelligence and machine leаrning are transforming both the way businesses oрerate and the corporate roles people plaу.
It’s a fascinating progression – one that some are hesitant to declare positive, fearing robots could replace too much human value. We may not want robots taking our jobs, but there are some tasks you may not mind having them take over, namely around the house.
Just think, if you didn’t have to worry about cleaning or yard work, you could invest your energy in more meaningful activities you most likely currently have a lack of time for. If you’re ready to give up some of your house chores, check out these five robots that are ready to help.
1. iRobot – Vacuums and Mops
Not everyone has time to vacuum an entire
house more than once a week, and even then it’s a time-consuming task if you’re
ensuring the nooks and crannies, the under-beds and under-dressers are being
cleared of dust and detritus (not to mention, these latter areas are difficult
to get a vacuum under). And mopping? More like once a month.
With iRobot Roomba for vacuuming and Braava for mopping, you don’t have to worry about these tasks anymore, and you can ensure they’re being taken care of more regularly. Roomba costs you about $250 to $1,100, while Braava costs you about $200 to $300.
Roomba
The iRobot Roomba vacuum is advanced, no
matter which model you buy. For a true sense of just how powerful it is, read
up on the Roomba® i7+ Robot Vacuum with Clean Base™ Automatic Dirt Disposal.
This Roomba model comes with a waste container that it automatically empties into, which means 1) you don’t have to vacuum and 2) you don’t have to empty the vacuum.
And if you’re worried about Roomba doing a good job, don’t worry–it does. “The premium 3-Stage Cleaning System uses Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes and 10x suction to clean different floor surfaces throughout your home,” the company says.
As you would expect, it’s smart too, able to
learn, map and acclimate to changes in your home. You can also dictate what
rooms it vacuums, when and how, all using the iRobot HOME app.
Braava
Like it’s sibling robot Roomba, Braava
showcases an exceptional array of capabilities. In particular, the Braava 380t
is able to navigate your floors using navigation cubes that allow it to find
its way around multiple rooms and ensure complete coverage.
Braava takes care of all your bare and
hardwood floors, whether you need it to sweep or mop. You can attach iRobots
microfiber cloths or use disposable Swiffer pads to get the right job. And
don’t worry about it leaving dirt behind. Braava uses what iRobot calls
triple-pass mopping action to make sure your floors are polished when it’s
done.
2. Ecovacs Winbot – Window Cleaner
If you hate cleaning your floors, you probably
hate cleaning your windows even more. This is definitely one of those dreaded
house chores most people let go undone for months, perhaps even letting it be a
once-a-year task.
But clean windows are often a key way to help your house look the absolute best it can. The ECOVACS WINBOT X, which costs about $450, is a great robot to make sure that’s always the case for your home.
WINBOT adheres to the windows in your home,
and based on the size and shape of each window it will choose the best route
for moving across the glass to make sure it polishes every inch using its
four-stage cleaning process. WINBOT also uses a deep-clean double-pass mode to
make sure the dirtiest windows come out clean.
Some might wonder just how safe a robot on a window could be. After all, what if it loses suction and falls off? WINBOT does in fact use strong suction fan technology to keep it attached to glass as well as to improve its ability to clean windows.
Edge sensors help it understand when it’s getting close to the edge of a window. WINBOT also uses an advanced Safety Tether System that will draw the robot back if it’s losing suction, ensuring it won’t fall off.
It’s safe to say WINBOT is a promising
solution to the time-consuming task of cleaning windows, especially if you have
many large windows in your home.
3. FoldiMate – Automatic Laundry Folder
Doing laundry is bad enough, especially if you have to do it for multiple people under one roof. But if there’s one thing worse than laundry, it’s folding all of the clothes you’ve washed.
Having a helping hand is nice, and now you can make sure you always have one with FoldiMate, an automatic laundry folder that will cost about $980 once this robot launches in 2019 (as estimated).
While FoldiMate can’t magically pick up a pile of clothes and start organizing them into neat stacks of shirts and pants, all you have to do is clip an article of clothing to FoldiMate’s folding tray using its electronic clipping mechanism and this robot will do the rest for you.
As it folds your clothes, you can continue feeding more clothing into it, keeping a continuous process moving that allows you to fold a batch of clothes in under five minutes, according to the makers. A thoughtful feature allows you to specify the size of the folded clothes to ensure they fit on your shelves and in your drawers well.
If you can’t stand folding clothes and your
laundry typically piles up over the course of a couple weeks, FoldiMate could
be a great robot to add to your laundry room when it launches.
4. Kobi – Multifunctional Yard Robot
Some people love yard work; others despise it, especially as they get older and it takes more effort to accomplish in a reasonable amount of time.
If you’d rather spend your summer relaxing in the sun with ice tea and a book rather than mowing grass, or your winter sitting by a warm fire rather than shoveling snow, Kobi, a fully autonomous and electric-powered multifunctional yard robot, wants to make its new home in your backyard shed, with the base model costing about $3,000.
Kobi is another robot that hasn’t officially launched outside a group of early-bird testers, but it’s safe to say when this machine does launch it will attract a lot of attention.
Despite the high cost, Kobi looks to be very competent at accomplishing your yard work, being capable of mowing your lawn, removing leaves, and blowing snow.
The perks of having Kobi do all of this for you are that you free up more time for yourself, reduce pollution, save yourself from health risks if hard labor is dangerous for your age, and reduce the expense of maintenance over the course of years.
And your Kobi won’t do this for anyone else thanks to its advanced anti-theft system, which will sound a piercing alarm and send you an alert on your smartphone. Kobi will also disable itself, rendering itself useless if stolen.
The amazing thing about this robot is that
it’s smart enough to know what the weather is going to be like, allowing it to
stay proactive and do the work it needs to do when it’s required to. You can
tell Kobi what to do if you want, but you don’t have to. Just sit back and
relax.
5. iRobot – Gutter Cleaner
Doing yard work is hard enough, but some seasonal tasks are just plain dangerous.
One such outdoor chore is gutter cleaning. Whether you have to stand on a 10-foot or 30-foot ladder, reaching as far as you can to grab leaves and drop them into a bucket, or walk along the eaves of your roof blowing debris out with a handheld leaf blower – is it really worth it risking your life to keep your gutters clear?
iRobot doesn’t think so, which is why they built the Looj 330 Gutter Cleaning Robot, which runs about $300.
The Looj 330 works how you would imagine it
when you analyze its design. It sits in your gutter and moves along
automatically, spinning its blades at 500 RPM to break up clogs and lift debris
and leaves out of the gutter. Sweepers and scrapers get whatever’s left in the
gutter.
If you want to control the robot manually, you
can from a remote. Either way, you can get a 30-foot section of gutter cleaned
out in about five minutes, which is a huge time saver on top of saving you from
the risks associated with the job.
Robot That Are Your Friends
While we certainly don’t want robots taking over our jobs and lives, these robots are great examples of how we can leverage the power of technology and automation to enhance our lives by easing the jobs we have to manage on our own time at home.
If you want more time in your day and/or want to worry less about hard labor posing a risk to your health, it could be worth it to drop some money on these robots.
Are there other robots you’ve seen that could
be great additions to a home? Let us know in the comments.
