We are getting closer and closer to materializing the old dream of a robotic servant that takes on the most difficult household tasks. The technological concept that filters any innovation intended for consumption is artificial intelligence. If there is one sector that should be placed in a new stage, it is that of robotic assistants, whether physical or virtual. At the Consumer Electronic Show (CES), the first major technology fair of the year held in Las Vegas, automatons have been the main protagonists.
One of the most impressive samples is that of the Norwegian company 1 X Technologies, which already had an operating robot, Eve, an android with wheels and very robotic hands, but Neo, a bipedal humanoid with very human shapes and movements. It achieves this based on concepts such as the development of motors that imitate the functioning of muscles instead of the use of gears. It’s still in development, but the company says it combines “human-like bodies with the minds of advanced autonomous language and movement models, so you can speak to them naturally and they’ll do what you ask.”
Another of the robots that won the Nevada event doesn’t look like a human, but it does achieve similar results. iYU is a robotic arm from the French company Capsix that massages the back. It does not aim, according to the creators, to replace human masseurs, but to free them from some of the more repetitive massages and be able to devote themselves to the more specialized ones.
A peculiar aspect, as if escaped from a fairy tale, is that of the Mirokai robot from Enchanted Tools. Although it might seem like it has a playful use, it is designed for medical environments, where it is dedicated to a cumbersome task that would cost healthcare workers precious time: transporting equipment and medicines.
The two Korean tech giants, Samsung and LG, have also joined the trend of AI-powered home assistants. Samsung’s is a sphere, slightly smaller than a soccer ball, called the Ballie, which serves as a control center for home automation devices, pet care and a projector.
LG’s also aims to take care of pets, but it has a different look. With a futuristic sixties aesthetic, it uses artificial intelligence to hold conversations. It has a screen that shows emotions. It adapts to the mood it perceives in the user. It acts as a home watchdog and also controls connected devices, such as air conditioning.
With a cute doll look, the Moxie robot is designed to be a companion for children and teach them social skills that help them, such as breathing exercises to control anxiety, release anger or improve concentration.
At a fair like CES, the amount of flashy things – that no one remembers the following year – is inexhaustible, although there are some worth mentioning beyond robots. One of which is a small device with a square shape and a bright orange color. It is called r1 and it has been created by the company Rabbit to replace the mobile. It works through spoken commands that make it interact with apps like the ones we have on our mobile, but without the need for the latter. The first day after the presentation, 10,000 units were sold.
Another remarkable presentation was that of the BMind mirror from the Baracoda company. It is a bathroom mirror with a small lower screen that informs what the weather is like while using the camera to analyze the user’s mood. Based on the diagnosis he makes, he creates phototherapy sessions, guided meditations and even says, to instill encouragement, that he is in front of a beautiful person. Yes, like what they used to say to the witch in Snow White, but without going overboard.
Beyond the devices that attract attention in multiple ways, CES is the starting point for many of the things we will see in the markets throughout this 2024. One of the most noteworthy aspects is that of television screens. Among the most spectacular of the Las Vegas event, Samsung presented a transparent OLED screen and LG a translucent TV. It may take some time to see them in homes, but they already exist.
