What are Robotic Vacuum Cleaners?

Have you thought about buying your own vacuum cleaner? Are you in search of a cleaning gadget that really leaves your room floors and carpets really clean and dust free?

 

Then you must try for yourself a robotic vacuum cleaner. The robot vacuum is small because of its compact design, and has a flat shape more like a disc. The compact built is meant for the gadget to go under most furniture and be able to reach the low and narrow corners that most common vacuums cannot.

 

What the robotic vacuums, there is now no need for users to move furniture such as tables, sofas and chairs. It possesses bumpers that work to absorb all types of collisions with other solid things as it goes its way.

 

The ingenious concept behind the robotic cleaner is much similar to the devices that the experts utilize when trying to clear the land mines on fields. These cleaning machines have a number of sensors that work to detect all dusts and particles that should be picked. This specialized sensors makes the cleaner work its way to the dirtier areas of the house, clean them many times until it is sure that stubborn dirt, debris and other particles not anymore detected.

 

The device is what we can call an intelligent machine as it knows its way around and never falls down stairs or steps.  It has a virtual wall function that helps it from staying within the home premises, even with the presence of an open door.

 

Robotic vacuum cleaners are definitely easy to afford nowadays, unlike the first time that it hit the market.  Certainly you need not be rich to have this kind of device, making it one of the most sought after cleaning machine today.

 

For more interesting articles and discussion about Vacuum Cleaners Comparisons and vacuum cleaners in general, do visit our Best Vacuum Cleaner Dealer blog.

Honda Unveils Latest Asimo Robot at La’s Consumer Electronics Show

In California: Honda, the world’s creator of the first ever ASIMO robot has one again made another breakthrough with their humanoid creation. Honda’s latest ASIMO was presented at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The new ASIMO has been upgraded and was given a streamlined of new design. Honda’s ASIMO is now more agile and is capable of quick movements – such as running nearly 4mph. Aside from the ability to run, the humanoid robot was also provided with artificial intelligence capabilities to further enhance human interaction.

Jeffrey Smith, American Honda Assistant Vice President was the one tasked of presenting the ASIMO during its North American Debut at the CES. And here is what he has to say about the ASIMO:

“For the first time in North America, we’re demonstrating this newest iteration of Honda’s remarkable humanoid robotics technology. ASIMO now has a revolutionary ability to run and maneuver at unprecedented speeds… Honda continues to further the development of humanoid robotics technology, believing that one day ASIMO will be a helper to people in need.”

“The new ASIMO can much better interact with and carry out commands given by people and can more effectively perform numerous new tasks including moving carts and carrying objects. The primary advancements of the newest ASIMO include:

Enhanced human Interaction- By providing ASIMO with the ability to recognize the surrounding environment through its visual sensors, floor surface sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and by an IC Tele-interaction Communication Card1, ASIMO can more autonomously interact with people. Through the coordinated use of its eye cameras in the head and the force (kinesthetic) sensors on its wrists, ASIMO can give and receive an object such as a tray. And by using these force sensors, ASIMO can hold the hand of the person and move in sync with them.

Carrying objects using a cart- ASIMO is now capable of handling a cart freely while maintaining an appropriate distance from the cart by adjusting the force of its right and left arms to push a cart using the force sensors on its wrists. Even when the movement of the cart is disturbed, ASIMO can continue maneuvering by taking flexible actions such as slowing down or changing directions.

Running- Through proactive control of ASIMO’s posture while both feet are off the ground, ASIMO can run at nearly 4 mph. In addition, running in a circular pattern at a high speed was achieved by tilting the center of gravity of ASIMO’s body inside of the circle to maintain balance with the amount of centrifugal force experienced.

The main objective of Honda in pursuing the development of the ASIMO robot is to one day create a robot that would have ability to assist those whose mobility are restricted and to replace those who are working in environments that are harmful to humans.

Facts on Honda

Honda is one of the leading producers in the world of various types of mobility products such as automobiles, motorcycles and ATVs, power products; top-of-the-line auto parts products like Civic tie rod end, marine engines, personal watercraft, and light jet. Honda has started its North American operations in the year 1959 with the American Honda Motor Co., Inc. as its first overseas subsidiary.

At present Honda is employing 35,000 associates and operates 13 major manufacturing plants. A great number of Honda products are designed and developed at Honda’s US R&D centers in Ohio, LA and North Carolina. Honda spends $16 billion annually for parts and materials for its North American operations.

Assistive Technology – Robots are the Future

Imagine a world where you have a faithful aide by your side that can assist you with just about anything from moping up the floors, washing the dishes, patrolling your house, providing elder care to being you best buddy by being ready to help whenever you need it. It seems that after the dog, robots are going to be man’s most faithful friend.

We seem to have come far from the times when robots or mechanical servants were only heard of in ancient mythologies, such as the robots built by the Greek god Hephaestus to the age of patient aid and assistive devices. While, modern robotics has come a long way, there was a lot of buzz recently about the “uBOT-5” – the robot, supposed to be an awesome robotic assistant for the elderly in future.

The State-of-the-art Robotics

And it’s not without a reason because computer science researchers are well set on their path to endow these “mechanical servants” with never seen capabilities. For instance the uBOT-5 would not only be able them to assist the elderly but Robot UBot-5 would also act to help them, e.g. dialing 911 in case of emergencies. Or they could send out reminders to patients when its time for their medication. To top it all, they could even help them with grocery shopping in addition to allow them to talk to their friends ‘n’ family including healthcare providers.

However, this is only one side of the story, because when a patient’s friends, family or medics need to talk to their loved ones – they too can initiate a conversation via the assistant. For instance, a concerned family member who wants to know about whether their elderly relative is ok or not? They can establish a link with any Internet connection, or better still navigate around the house to look for mom or dad. This can be especially useful if a patient needs help and is unable to take the call.

At the same time, while the technology may have advanced, cost concerns still seem to persist for these patient aids. For instance, at present the prototypes at University of Massachusetts Amherst cost close to $65,000 for a unit. However, experts believe that with commercialization the robots may cost about $5,000. That’s less, but lesser still would be be better.

Till the time that happens, perhaps cutting edge enhancements to the already existing patient aid equipments aren’t bad either – as some interesting gadgets came to life at this year’s Assistive Technology Exposition of the Saint Francis University’s CERMUSA – including retina-steered wheelchairs, digitized and synthesized speech-generating devices and pressure sensing prosthetic limbs that could fill up a glass or water or wine!

Why You Need A Robotic Cleaner

Since the day the robotic vacuum cleaners hit the market, cleaning house has never been the same. Due to the sleek design and advanced technology, people are very eager to get their hands on their own robotic vacuum cleaner.  

Now, we’ll take a look at some reasons why you should own a robotic vacuum cleaner.

Efficiency

As everyone already knows, cleaning is very hard indeed, and nobody wants to do it. Getting a maid isn’t cheap anymore. With a robotic vacuum cleaner, you can get any room in your home nice and tidy in no time at all. It has features of the upright vacuum cleaner, only better. Robotic vacuums offer filters, brushes, cleaning mechanisms, and more within a sturdy case that ensures you’ll get the operation possible.

Easy to use

As you probably already know, the robotic vacuum cleaner is automatic, as you don’t even need to be at home to run it. Simply turn it on, leave it to clean, come back home, and you’ll find the room spick and span clean. There are no special switches or configurations either. All you have to do is press a button and the robot will start cleaning right away.

The robotic vacuum cleaner will automatically pace the room, using a random programming technology. It can cover the same area many times, and it can also recharge on its own once the battery starts to get low. There is no need to go looking for it when it gets finished either, as it will return to the homebase and wait for you until you need it again.

Compact design

The robot vacuum is a small, flat device that is shaped like a disc. It is designed this way so that it can go under furniture, and reach places that the standard vacuum can’t. This way, there is no need to move stools, sofas, and low set tables. It also has bumpers as well so it can absorb any type of collision with solid devices along the way.

Cutting edge technology

The concept that drives the robotic vacuum is similar to what the army uses when clearing land mines on the field. Robotic vacuums contain several sensors that will detect the dirt that is sucks in. The sensors are also what makes it possible to go towards the dirtier part of the room, clean it several times, then stop when there is no more dirt detected. The device is so smart that it doesn’t fall down steps or stairs. With the virtual wall device that’s included with it, it won’t even go outside of an open doorway either.

Easy to afford

Although they were a little on the expensive side when they first hit the market, they are now more affordable than ever. You don’t need to be rich to own one, which is one of the main reasons why they are so popular these days.

Working with Robots

The advances in computing and miniaturization technologies have made possible an increasing use of unmanned devices to do routine work once done by man. Most repetitive precision and rule-based work can now be automated using sophisticated robotics.

As electro-optical-mechanical contraptions, robots are perfect for jobs that are repetitive, require precise rule-based actions and in areas where potential harm exists. People need salaries, vacations, coffee breaks and a reasonably comfortable work environment. Robots don’t. People get bored doing routines and that could lead to fatigue that in turn could lead to errors and failures. Robots are immune from boredom.

In Manufacturing

Robots come in various forms and sophistication. Almost all of them are deployed in manufacturing. Car factories are highly automated with more human workers employed to supervise and manage the work, leaving robotic arms and AI-based computer machines to weld, paint, and assemble the different car parts together as well as move completed cars into the testing and distribution zones of the factory.

Another useful work for robots is in food plants that arrange, say, an assortment of chocolate cookies or candies in boxes. A computer system typical guides the robotic armatures with optical sensors over a moving conveyor belt, enabling the robot to pick and aggregate different objects into a container. Such contraptions, properly configured can produce the required daily volumes at predictable quality levels and cost structures to make the product more affordable.

Computer and electronic gadget makers use robots to solder together minute wires and parts onto the chip sets. “Pick and place” robotic armatures insert chips onto circuit boards found in all electronics gears from radios to cellphones.

In The Hospitals

Robots are increasingly common in pharmaceuticals and hospitals. The same “pick and place” robotics can be used to package medicines into boxes or bottles for market distribution. They are often found in sterile plants that are a requirement in handling pharmaceutical items.

There are robotic messengers on wheels used in some hospitals to carry medical and surgical supplies or equipment from one area to another on the same floor. Some medical robots enable remote surgery on patients using feedback sensors that allow surgeons to explore tissue sensed by the robot’s instruments. It may be along while for miniature robot sensors to travel through the blood stream by remote control as described in science fiction, but that is certainly not far-fetched

Robots at home

Robotic engineers and scientists are now predicting that our homes would soon have robots as household help to do more of the routine and menial chores at home. Some appliance companies have started working on prototypes vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers that have microchip-based “brains,” sonar sensors or optical “eyes” and solenoid and micro-motor armatures that can do most of the chores on their own.

They can go around the house to memorize their “assignments” and can pretty much clean the house or mow the lawn at pre-set hours of the day. Already in the market is a robotic lawn mower made by Friendly Robotics. It has bump sensors that define its obstacles and learns the area it will work on.