IEEE Spectrum June, 2014 - 76

cessors, sensors, and other components
that robots need have gotten much better and cheaper, propelled by advances
in smartphone technology. And opensource software is now available for robot
simulation, control, vision, and many
other functions. Also, rapid-prototyping
tools like 3-D printers and laser cutters
are lowering the barriers for designing
and building new robots.
The result is that interest in robotics
is exploding among researchers, hobbyists, and entrepreneurs. Robot-related
start-ups and crowdfunded projects are
proliferating. Venture capitalists have
taken notice of this trend-and so have
tech giants like Amazon.com and Google,
both of which seem to have big plans
for robots.
Now, where this is all leading is hard to
tell. Some skeptics predict that in 20 or
30 years, personal domestic robots will

still be just laboratory playthings. Others
believe that in that same time frame intelligent machines will routinely be providing household help, advice, and company.
Then, of course, there are the countless
possibilities in between.
We editors at IEEE Spectrum don't pretend to know how things will unfold,
but of all the scenarios we're able to
envision, there's one in particular we
find not only possible but desirable. It's
one in which personal robots won't be
exclusive, expensive offerings few can
afford. Rather, they'll be as commonplace as computers or mobile phones
are today, and their development will
provide a global engine for innovation
and prosperity.

robot EVolution: PR2 [left] sold for
US $400 000; one of its successors, UBR-1, is a
bit less capable but costs about one-tenth as much.

Left: WiLLoW GaraGe; riGht: UnboUnded robotics

world. One Twitter user humorously
summed up what the achievement might
portend: "I, for one, welcome our towelfolding robot overlords."
This robotic laundry experiment had obviously struck a nerve. The idea of robots
doing chores around the house has long
captured people's imaginations. For some,
robots would mean freedom from tasks
they don't have time for or don't want to
do. For others, robots would mean even
more: They would help them live independently longer, providing care and perhaps even some degree of companionship.
It's disappointing, then, that other than
robotic toys and vacuum cleaners, robots
are a rare sight in our homes today. And
yet, here we are, still eagerly waiting for
this technology to blossom. So, where
are the robot servants?
Some recent developments suggest
that they might not be too far away. Pro-

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Spectrum June, 2014

IEEE Spectrum June, 2014 - Cover1
IEEE Spectrum June, 2014 - Cover2
IEEE Spectrum June, 2014 - 1
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IEEE Spectrum June, 2014 - 100
IEEE Spectrum June, 2014 - Cover3
IEEE Spectrum June, 2014 - Cover4
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