HERB: A
Home Exploring Robotic Butler Laila
Arnesen
Description: Today, robots
are extremely effective in environments like factory floors that are structured
for them, and currently ineffective in environments like our homes that are
structured for humans. The Personal Robotics Lab at The Robotics Institute at
Carnegie Mellon University is focused on finding a solution on this. They are
developing the HERB, - A Home Exploring Robotic Butler. He is an autonomous
mobile robot with the fundamental building blocks of perception, navigation,
manipulation, and interaction that enables him to perform useful tasks in home
environments structured for humans.
What
is special with him is that his algorithms allow him to undertake a wide
variety of tasks. According
to the inventor Srinivasa; “The true color of a good algorithm is that it is
very generalizable”. The underlying
algorithms are the same across all the different tasks he does and are even
generalizable across robots”. Complete
with fingernails and a British accent, HERB is allegedly the perfect caregiver:
He can open doors, microwave meals, and even separate Oreo cookies from its
cream.
How this technology can replace
deskilled human labor: The inventor Srinivasa envisions a future where robots in the home will be more
common. It
is likely that someday in the future we will have robots to do all our house
chords. HERB is therefore an important first step in making robots maid to aid
in the future of household tasks.
HERB could do all
the normal everyday domestic chores so there would be no need for others to do
them. This could lead to decreased demand for human maids and butlers. HERB could also be used in the health sector.
In Norway for example the population is getting older and there is a huge
increase in demand for domestic support.
In addition to
having the potential to replace human labor, this technology may also prove to be more effective at undertaking the
labor. It could exceed human
capabilities in that HERB does not get tired, he will perform his tasks in a
planned time manner, there is no Slack-time and he learns from his previous
mistakes. In addition to this it is
interesting to point out that there is no risk of the robot acting
opportunistic by for example stealing or “pretending to be working”
Despite HERB’s
technical capabilities, he still needs to work on his “manners”. People are
still hesitant to accept robots in their homes. According to the inventor, Srinivasa:
”It’s not just about capability — it’s about behavior, how situationally aware
it is, and how sensitive it is to your own personal space,”
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