In no particular order, 10 of the best assistant robots in 2017 are as follows:
- Echo by Amazon
The Echo is a cloud-based device built around the premise that being able to make some impressive noise and respond to voice commands while connected to the internet leads to all kinds of functionality. It’s being advertised as a smart music player that can remind you about different things you want and search the Internet, but if utilized to its fullest it can become the central hub of your smart home, controlling lights and connected WeMo, Hue, and Wink devices. It’s a DJ, a book reader, and a robust calendar, and its functionality is going to grow as Amazon continues development. One recent addition is live traffic reporting.
2. Pepper by Aldebaran
With a very humanoid look, Pepper is designed for companionship. During interactions, Pepper analyzes facial expressions, body language, and verbal cues, honing its responses and offering a dynamic and surprisingly natural conversation partner. Originally created for use in SoftBank Mobile’s retail stores in Japan, Aldebaran released Pepper for home use.
3. Jibo
It’s the world’s first family robot, a combination of personal assistant, photographer, messenger, storyteller, and telepresence bot. Natural language processing and 360 degree microphones allow it to respond to conversational cues, and two high-res cameras track faces and enable the bot to recognize different users. It’s best for scheduling, entertaining the kids, and providing companionship.
4. Buddy
It’s the revolutionary companion robot that improves your everyday life. Open source and easy to use, BUDDY protects your home, entertains your kids, & helps you stay connected with the ones you love. Not content with being just a companion, BUDDY is also democratizing robotics. BUDDY is built on an open-source technology platform making it easy for global developers to build applications.
5. Moorebot Robot
A fully customizable voice interactive robot that delivers tremendous value, convenience and very cool fun to home, business and shops. In addition to being a full featured electronic assistant, Moorebot is an entertainer by itself. The simple compact design can fit almost anywhere. With an open platform, the robot behavior can be customized and upgraded, giving it ability to learn. From fun companion to welcome greeter to business assistant, make your own version of Moorebot.
6. Miko
Your child’s new companion — a brain with loads of heart. You will be amazed with how much Miko can do — be it chatting away about the facts of the world or adapting and responding to your child’s needs. Miko has a wide pool of knowledge and an even wider pool of fun.
7. Personal Robot by Robot Base
It will automate your home and life by connecting to your devices, fitness trackers, locks, switches, outlets, and thermostats. Not only will it keep your home secure, developers say it will also help significantly lower energy bills. The Personal Robot can also handle your scheduling, make calls and entertain your kids.
8. Cubic
According to ZDNet, the device’s selling point is that it’s the first AI system with a personality. The Cubic ecosystem includes the home cube, a power badge that connects to ear buds, and a mobile app, so your new friend will always be with you. Cubic is still under development, so the extent of its capabilities remains to be seen, but you’ve got to give its makers points for comparing the power badge to the communicator in Star Trek.
9. Branto
Designed for the connected home, this sleek orb from Ukrainian start-up Branto uses Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and infrared in a bid to pair with every connected device you could possibly own. Branto also streams music and alerts you remotely if there’s suspicious movement in the house.
10. Cozmo Robot
It’s a gifted little guy with a mind of his own. He’s a real-life robot like you’ve only seen in movies, with a one-of-a-kind personality that evolves the more you hang out. He’ll nudge you to play and keep you constantly surprised. Cozmo’s your accomplice in a crazy amount of fun.
As a bonus, we present you Project Kino.
According to TechCrunch, Project Kino was inspired by ‘living jewelry,’ large bedazzled beetles and other insects worn as decoration in different parts of the world. “The MIT Media lab version is using palm-sized robots that cling onto clothing with magnets. The team has been demoing the work for about a year now and has come up with a wide range of functions for the little wheeled robots.For now, most of the robots’ tasks are decorative. The project’s name derives from the word “kinetic,” referring to the their movement as they reconfigure into different patterns, keeping the clothing designs ever changing. On other surfaces, the robots can etch visible designs in the clothing, as they move around,” writes Brian Heater.
Kino: Kinetic, “living” jewelry for dynamic fashion from Cindy (Hsin-Liu) Kao on Vimeo.
