Watch out, Rosie: Stanford researchers developing robot butler

Sure we all love robots that can play soccer, crawl through our intestines, or blow things up, but the real holy grail of robotics -- at least to the lazy folks among us -- is a multi-purpose bot that can perform a number of different tasks that humans find distasteful: we need a robot butler. Well thanks to a team of 30+ researchers at Stanford University (the same school that brought us Stanley the Grand Challenge-winning, um, autobot), our dream of one day bossing a domestic bot around the house while we blog from the hot tub may soon come to fruition, as the school's so-called STAIR program has just achieved the first of its four major objectives. Using a webcam and a proprietary algorithm, the STAIR bot is now able to analyze an unknown object and decide how to pick it up based on past experiences; so although it may never have encountered a roll of duct tape, for instance, it can query its on-board database to locate similar objects from which it can form a grasping strategy. The next steps for the robobutler will be significantly more difficult, however, as the project will only be deemed a success when the bot is able to clean up after a party (including loading the dishwasher), assemble one of those frustrating pieces of IKEA furniture using multiple tools, and guide guests around a dynamic space such as a research lab. Just don't expect to see the STAIR bot at your local Circuit City or temp agency anytime soon, as it won't be able to adequately fetch open-air objects until sometime in 2008 and hidden objects until 2011 or later, according to team leader Andrew Ng. Still, we love where this research is headed, because when it comes time for the inevitable mechatronic uprising, our future overlords will be able to calmingly lead us to our dungeons by the hand instead of painfully dragging us by the ear, nose, or other sensitive body part. Click on to check out the robobutler perched on its Segway-based mobility platform...

[Via Robot Gossip]

[Farris @ Nov 8th 2006 6:57PM]

I don't mean to sound rude, but how you pronounce Andrew Ng's last name?

Also, is it just me, or do the wheel wells look rather Segway-ish? Maybe its just the most efficient design, I guess.

[- @ Nov 8th 2006 7:22PM]

Ng (in English) is pronounced "ing." In Chinese, it varies a bit, but sounds just like how the two syllables look, like "ing" without the "i."

[Mike @ Nov 8th 2006 7:00PM]

I'd totaly get one of these once the price goes under the $5k limit.

Sounds interesting, but nothing can replace the real thing.

[Gil @ Nov 9th 2006 2:06AM]

5k? More like 50k. It's my estimate that robots will be around the same price as cars

[SHOTT3R @ Nov 8th 2006 7:06PM]

May as well. These guys aren't having any real women serving them anytime soon.

/i keed, i keed
//you were thinking it too

[Paul Nicholls @ Nov 8th 2006 7:22PM]

Considering how much they like robots in Japan, I'm wondering what the implications are for Maid Cafes?

[lyl545646 @ Nov 8th 2006 8:40PM]

It won't be long until someone yells out:

"Oh my god, smart people use MAC, MAC RULEZ, PC SUX ..."

[Ed @ Nov 8th 2006 8:42PM]

Is that the new poster for Harold and Kumar go to White Castle 2?

[Joshua @ Nov 8th 2006 8:53PM]

Oh my god, smart people use MAC, MAC RULEZ, PC SUX ...

[Rock Stone @ Nov 8th 2006 8:55PM]

@ Farris: rtfa
"Click on to check out the robobutler perched on its Segway-based mobility platform..."

[Farris @ Nov 8th 2006 10:15PM]

Lol. My bad. I just skimmed over the article, and didn't click the Read link.

[Green Frog @ Nov 8th 2006 9:01PM]

This is a very handsome robot I am sure it will turn up in a Sci-Fi movie very soon how about Terminator 4 "The Rise of the Home Handyman"

[Green Frog @ Nov 8th 2006 9:03PM]

It is so sneaky of our new overlords to disguise themselves as fruit crates, offer to do the dishes and then "whammo" take over the world. I just hope that they will put the garbage out after we are all locked in the dungeons. Do they cook? perhaps being ruled over by butlerbots who love to cook and clean wont be so bad. Anyway lucky they are not made by Sony or we would hear endless moans about their flaws, like "trust Sony to use Plywood at least Microsoft said if they make one it would have solid mahogany"

[ET @ Nov 8th 2006 10:59PM]

Is the guy on teh right from Heroes?

[- @ Nov 9th 2006 12:55PM]

Are you from "The Biggest Loser?"

[Fish&Chips @ Nov 9th 2006 2:17PM]

I for one welcome our new servant / overlords.