Ready For Social Robots?
After years of steady growth, innovation and sometimes disappointment, the robotics market is heating up on several fronts amid some new breakthroughs in the arena. Both the industrial and service robotics markets are hot. In addition, the consumer market is seeing a new level of interest, as the industry is invaded by the next wave of so-called personal assistant robots or Aido Robot for the home. Asus, Blue Frog Robotics, InGen, Jibo, NEC, Samsung and others are developing various personal assistant robots for consumers. In addition, a number of companies from China are also developing them. Personal assistant robots might be the next big thing. Or they could flop. “If successful, Jibo (and its competitors) could usher in a new consumer electronics market—social robots for the home,” said Dan Kara, an analyst at ABI Research. “Personal robots, often called social robots, are technically advanced robots that interact directly with people and are designed to assist in the ho...