There's a Robot in Our House!

"AI." "Bicentennial Man." "The Jetsons." "Richie Rich." "I,2) They provide work safety.
Robot." These films and TV programs may haveSpecially designed robots are specifically created to
elicited various emotions and opinions from thedo dangerous chores such as cleaning windows of
viewers.high-rise buildings or disposing of toxic materials.
Indeed, these movies and shows have unveiled the3) They can provide unique and educational
different sides of robots. However, they still point out aentertainment.
certain fact --- that robots, or robotic devices, areIn 2003 alone, the sales of entertainment and leisure
smart, fast, and hardworking. They perform accordingrobotic gadgets went up to 691,000. Such devices can
to their assigned purpose or duty. And they can be theprovide the following benefits:
most reliable members of your household. Yes, yourComputer-based toys and games (such as an
very own household!"educational laptop") can give children a modern way
From vacuum cleaners and surveillance systems toof learning and having fun at the same time.
pets and leisure gadgets, robotic devices are definitelyPeople can test their various skills by playing interactive
"invading" our homes.computer games and competing with "robot
In fact, a study released last year by the Unitedopponents" that use artificial intelligence. Such games
Nations Economic Commission for Europe revealedcan really be challenging. In fact, "Deep Blue" (IBM's
that more than 600,000 consumer robots or household"chess computer") was able to beat chess
robotic devices were used all over the world in 2003.grandmaster Garry Kasparov in 1996 and 1997.
The Commission also predicted that an additional fourRobotic devices offer a wide array of entertainment
million units would be used in the next three years.and leisure activities in the fields of music, video,
More and more consumers are joining the "roboticsgraphics, animation, et al.
bandwagon" --- purchasing devices basically to make4) They give accurate results.
their lives easier and less complicated. These peopleSince robotic devices perform the very specific duty
have discovered that their lifestyles should be attunedthat they were designed to do, they produce amazing
with the modern, fast-paced times.results. They can compute large numbers, draw
Are you one of them? Why should YOU use roboticperfect shapes and figures, detect identifying marks ---
devices in your home? Here's a list of some of theall in mere seconds.
numerous benefits that such technological gadgets can5) They can help save lives.
give you:There is no question about how high-tech gadgets help
1) They make work --- and life --- easier for you.in the field of medicine. But robotic devices are giving
Household robotic gadgets willingly, and literally, do thethis fact a few more notches up. Here are some
dirty work for you. Consider the robot vacuum cleanerevidences:
which can do the following:A California-based company has invented a unique
It cleans effectively and efficiently. Since it cleans morepatch, which when applied to the skin, can monitor and
dirt in a single sweep as compared to standard uprightrecord a person's blood pressure, heartbeat rate, and
vacuums, the robot vacuum cleaner actually savesother such vital signs. The said gadget is also able to
50% of your time.automatically send such useful information to the
It cleans a whole area. Because of its compact shape,doctor's computer.
the robot vacuum cleaner can completely clean theAn Automatic Resuscitator can give treatment to a
area under your bed or other furniture.heart attack patient and save his life. The gadget can
It detects areas that need the most cleaning. With itsperform faster and leaves the medical professionals
specially designed robotic intelligence system, the robotwith more time, thereby increasing the survival
vacuum cleaner can sense the dirtier areas.chances of the patient.
It avoids stairs and cliffs. Again, its robotic intelligenceTherapeutic robots have been helping sick patients
system enables it to sense "dangerous areas" andrecuperate faster.
prevents it from falling off.Indeed, people may have different views about
It recharges automatically. After a cleaning mission ortechnology and modern gadgets. In the end, however,
upon sensing that its battery is low, the smart cleanerthe choice is really ours. Should we look at and treat
automatically returns to its "home base" and recharges,technology as a crutch that hinders our journey
making itself ready for its next duty.towards the future? Or should we see it as a tool that
Truly a popular robot helper, the robot vacuum cleanerwill help us take great leaps and get nearer to our
has been making life easier --- and cleaner! --- for atdestination?
least 570,000 households around the globe.