Aug 12
My ideal home robot…
A challenge has been thrown up and its right up my street. We have been asked to write about our ideal home robot. I am a techno thriller/cyberpunk writer but I am going to try to stick to stuff I think is possible or nearly there.
If I were designing a robot it would go by the working name of Dopel (short for doppelganger) and it would be a household robot that functioned as a security device which had different functions depending on if you are home, away or asleep. The robot would be about the size of a small dog but not at all looking like a dog. Instead most of the time, ie when the owners are in the house it would resemble a medium sized electronic device and look someone similar to a woofer for a surround sound system.
Its primary function is to scan the property for “dangers” both large and small with a built in smoke detector, carbon-monoxide detector, temperature gauge (with warnings, and monitor sensor. When the occupier was not at home the device would patrol the property scanning for any variations in the status quo. Should an intruder or animal be found near the property the device could be set to growl (not bark) in a menacing way. The reason the device would growl and not bark is that its more difficult for a machine to replicate a bark. Depending on the choice of owner the growl could resemble a whole range of dogs so as to reflect a dog that would be most likely to be owned by the owner. The machine would be tuned to recognise legitimate entry via a keyed door. It would be contactable via Bluetooth and wireless network. The owner could monitor the machine and makes changes remotely.
While the occupants were at home the device would remain in a certain part of the property which allowed it the largest range to scan. A owner could have the machine continue to do all its night/away functions but the machine would be programmed to move out of the way of any human or animal when in “at home” mode. The machine would move either on four to six legs or treads depending on what is appropriate for the time and place. Its articulation would allow it to mount stairs.
The device would be as inconspicuous at all times. The design would reflect this and it would be designed to blend into its surroundings. If possible the machine would be able to scan its surroundings and change its colour as to blend in with its background. Inotherwords it would sit next to the entertainment system and look like a component or be in the kitchen and look like a small appliance.
5 Comments so far
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Really neat. I want one!
Oh, just your idea. Heck. Well someone should get busy!
If it will say to me things like “Dear, your shoes are dirty again, get them off right now” – forget it!
Aha! – it works now – cheers.
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