![Search icon](https://hackernoon.imgix.net/search-new.png?w=19&h=19)
Wouldn’t it be so useful if we had a robot that could do our laundry? We already have so many conveniences that people a century ago could only wish for. But we still don’t have an automated way of doing laundry, which includes dealing with the washer and dryer, ironing, folding clothes, sorting, and putting everything away in neat piles in their respective drawers or closets.
Robotics are already widely used and have been integrated into factory floors and warehouses to improve efficiencies for years. But the robots we have today are largely limited to moving from point A to point B and tackling a handful of tasks.
And we are familiar with these robots.
We’ve all seen Amazon’s amazing robots that carry shelves of items throughout the warehouse, and Tesla’s red robots that assemble cars on the factory floor.
These are great applications, but we can use AI and robots to move to the next level.
When it comes to household cleaning, we already have robotic vacuum cleaners and mops, window cleaners, and lawnmowers. All we’re missing is a laundry robot and perhaps a humanoid that can cook a full meal or even just peel potatoes.
Pet care is another great niche for robots. Imagine having AI-controlled pet feeders that ensure pets are fed on time, with the correct portions. Pet care robots could play with pets, clean litter boxes, or even take dogs for walks.
Where AI humanoids can be especially helpful is in the realm of care for the elderly and infirm.
Robots can assist with mobility, providing support for standing, walking, or moving between rooms. They can help with bathing, dressing, and medication management and can also provide emotional support, remind users of appointments, and monitor health vitals. Patient care robots in hospitals, clinics, and old age homes, could monitor vital signs, assist with patient mobility, and help in rehabilitation exercises.
Security and surveillance is another area where robots could prove useful. Home security robots could patrol the premises, detect intruders, and alert homeowners or authorities in case of unusual activity. Smart door and window monitors integrated with humanoid robots could greet visitors, verify identity, and control access to the home.
It is likely that in the coming decades, we will see the further development of robots that can assist in customer service and simple office jobs, the construction industry, agriculture, medicine and surgery, and of course the military.
Customer service robots would be able to assist with reception, greeting customers and clients, answering questions, and directing them to the appropriate service or person.
Service robots in restaurants and hotels could clean tables and floors, take orders, deliver food, or provide information, enhancing customer experience.
AI robots in the construction industry can assist with tasks like bricklaying, welding, or concrete pouring, increasing efficiency and reducing the risk of accidents.
Surveying drones combined with AI could map construction sites, monitor progress, and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Agriculture would surely benefit from AI robotics. Robotic harvesters could pick fruits and vegetables with precision, reducing accidents, costs, and waste while increasing productivity. Special drones could monitor crop health, apply fertilizers, and detect pests.
Medical robots could assist in surgeries, providing tools to surgeons or performing precise movements in minimally invasive procedures.
Lastly, the military would benefit greatly from the integration of AI robots. Soldiers must often carry heavy packs into battle and robots could act as “mules” in this regard, carrying heavy loads such as weaponry, ammunition, water, and food. Other robots fitted with weapons could be used for offensive purposes such as infiltrating enemy strongholds. This would definitely save lives and enhance the military capabilities of any force using these robots.
With the further development of technology, we may also see humanoid robots that project emotion or understand feelings. We have yet to see this but there are hints that we could achieve this level of robotics mastery.
Either way, it is clear that we will soon see robots taking over many mundane or difficult jobs, replacing humans and either making our lives easier or exponentially harder as we lose jobs and are forced to find new ways to earn a living.
But it is without a doubt that AI humanoids will be a part of our not-too-distant future.