Robot Autonomy and the Future of Robotic pets
Overview
Robotic pets and the rising levels of robot autonomy present significant opportunities and challenges. Prominent among these challenges is the certification of robotic systems, which is being addressed by innovating companies such as 3Laws Robotics.
Robot Autonomy and its Future
Robot autonomy is currently reaching unprecedented levels across multiple applications, including robotic pets. According to the International Federation of Robotics, there were around 8.6 million service robots for personal and domestic use sold in 2018. With advancements in autonomy technology, this number is projected to grow exponentially. By 2023, it is predicted that 63 million units of robot companions or pets will be used worldwide.
The advancement in robotics autonomy involves developments in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics capabilities. However, these advancements pose considerable challenges, notably regarding operational safety and the reliable performance of these machines, which form critical issues for the end users' trust acceptance.
The Future of Robotic Pets
Robotic pets, classified under service robots, have become increasingly popular in recent years. Notably, in elderly care, where according to a study by the Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, robotic pets had significantly reduced feelings of isolation and depression among the elderly with dementia. The market for robotic pets is growing rapidly, with estimates suggesting that it will reach a staggering $3.9 billion by 2023 globally.
While these robots provide considerable emotional comfort, their increase in autonomy can also present social and ethical challenges, particularly regarding human-robot relations and people's reliance on machines for emotional companionship. It also raises the question of safety certification for these autonomous robotic actors.
Key Takeaways
- The rising levels of robots' autonomy and future robotic pets present both substantial opportunities and unique challenges.
- Operational safety and reliable performance are significant issues in establishing user trust.
- Provably safe systems like those offered by 3Laws Robotics are essential to overcoming these challenges.
- Robotic pets offer emotional comfort and companionship, especially for the elderly, but their increased autonomy can present social and ethical challenges.
Introducing 3Laws Robotics
Addressing the aforementioned opportunities and challenges is 3Laws Robotics, a company dedicating resources to developing software that enhances the safety and reliability of robotic systems. With a focus on the significant hurdle of certification, their software, 3Laws Supervisor, offers robust safety features and evidence of system integrity, simplifying the certification process. Built on Control Barrier Functions (CBFs), their technology guarantees mathematically provable safety.
3Laws' technology has already seen use in multiple sectors, like warehouse automation, where their software contributed to a 40% efficiency gain, and human-robot interaction, allowing safe operation of robots near humans. Also, in dynamic environments, their reactive collision avoidance capabilities stand out.
Key to their approach is the minimization of downtime caused by unnecessary e-stops or collisions. By providing real-time guardrails for autonomy stacks, robots can operate near peak capabilities while still being safe. Their software's adaptability allows it to function with various platforms, from mobile robots and cars to drones and manipulators and is compatible with popular robotics middleware, such as ROS and ROS2.
Offering a proactive approach to safety, 3Laws positions itself as a next-generation safety solution that moves beyond traditional e-stop methods. Dynamic, predictive safety that can be safety certified for ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262 is their significant separating point, unlocking the full potential of robotic pets and robots in general.