Robot vacuum cleaners could be reprogrammed to perform helpful tasks around the house such as playing with a pet, watering the plants and carrying groceries to the kitchen.
University of Bath researchers identified 100 functions that domestic cleaning robots could perform with some fine tuning during idle periods.
They took a Roomba, one of the most popular robot vacuum cleaner models, and altered its programming to perform the following four functions:
Mobile wireless charger: the robot, fitted with a holder, charged a phone, navigating the home to find the phone user when mobile charging was needed.
Workout projector: equipped with a projector, the robot displayed workout videos on a wall. When it was time for floor exercises, it shifted the projection to the ceiling, ensuring uninterrupted viewing.
Home monitor: the robot monitored the home remotely, providing live video and task control, such as observing the oven while the user watched and controlled it.
Work-status signpost: fitted...