COMMENT
ROBOT COMPANIONS ARE ON THEIR WAY, BUT DON’T WORRY, THEY WON’T REPLACE HUMANS
Don’t be surprised if robots purchased to provide home security quickly become part of the family
M ultinational tech giant Amazon recently released a household robot named Astro. The robot, currently available by invitation only, puts Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa, into a dog-sized body with wheels that roams around your living space. Astro’s primary function is home security. But, just like real dogs have gone from guarding our property to being part of the family, the role household robots play may eventually become one of companionship.
Futurists have long promised the arrival of robots in our homes, but so far, few have made it. Single-task devices, such as robot vacuums, are popular, as are virtual assistants. But Hollywood’s vision of all-purpose robot aides remains elusive.