One of the highlights of CES 2022 was all the different kinds of robots announced. The big robot vacuum brands like Roborock and Neato were there. However, we also saw Wi-Fi and Networking products also embrace robotics. New companies have entered the space. Robots of tomorrow will act as personal assistants, camera operators, and even as pets. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the robots announced at CES 2022.
Robot router:
TP-Link Archer AXE200 Omni Wi-Fi 6E router
TP-Link shocked everyone at CES 2022 with their new Archer AXE200 Omni Wi-Fi 6E router. This was a CES 2022 Innovation Award Honoree. It features four robotic antennas that auto-adapt their orientation for the best signal. Depending on a device’s location and usage, the robotic antennas ensure the most optimized overall performance. For example, imagine moving your zoom meeting from your home office to the kitchen table. The antennas will move accordingly, to ensure you have the best connection possible.
The Archer AXE200 features tri-band WiFi along with a new 6 GHz band with speeds over 10Gbps. In addition, it has a 2.0 GHz quad-core CPU, 10G port, and an extra 2.5G port. Therefore, it’s designed for a seamless multi-gig wired and wireless WiFi 6 experience.
Robot appliances:
Vacuum: ECOVACS Deebot X1 Omni robot vacuum
Robot vacuums took a huge leap forward at CES 2022 with the announcement of the DEEBOT X1 OMNI. This robot does it all. First, like most 2-in-1, it can intelligently and automatically vacuum and mop floors and empty debris into a disposable dust bag. Second, it can also wash, dry, and refill the mop. This has been the missing piece of the puzzle for robot vacuums + mop.
The DEEBOT X1 OMNI features a multifunctional OMNI Station. It has separate 4 liter clean and dirty water tanks and space to house a 2.5L disposable dust bag. At the station, the DEEBOT auto empties dirt and debris. Most importantly, it auto washes and dries the mops as well. It’s designed to simulate hand washing, and auto refills the water tank with clean water.
Another issue with robot mops has been scrubbing ability. The X1 OMNI features OZMO Turbo 2.0 with dual spinning mops. With a high-speed 180 RPM cleaning, its downward direction force removes stubborn stains. For example, this includes textured and uneven surfaces.
Avular “The Essentials”
Creating robots is no easy task. Avular, a mobile robotics company from The Netherlands, debut a modular hardware and software solution for robot development. The product line, called “The Essentials”, was a CES Innovations Awards Honoree in the Robotics category.
It’s the world’s first end-to-end solution for mobile robots. It provides the building blocks for the brain of a mobile robot. Therefore, it can read sensor data, control motors, navigate, and communicate with WiFi and 5G modems. In all, the idea is to let customers focus on their business and let the modules take care of the robot-specific challenges. This allows existing machines to turn into smart robots or build one from scratch.
Monitoring, programming, and optimizing parameters are done through Avular’s PC interface for Essential products. As a result, it provides a graphical environment suitable for prototype and OEM production environments. Therefore, the aim is to make mobile robotics accessible to everyone.
Doosan NINA
Certainly, every content creator wants a camera operator so they don’t have to film themselves. Now, you can have a robot film you. Doosan unveiled the NINA which stands for “New Inspiration. New Angle”. Designed for prosumer content creators, it’s an innovative camera robot system that was named a CES Innovation Award Honoree.
NINA automatically senses an object and calculates the distance. This allows for smooth and consistent robotic-assisted filming. First, it can run pre-test angles by running simulations before filming. Second, it conserves time and saves on production costs. Doosan is also planning to create an open platform for users to exchange and share camera moving presets. This will allow beginners to create difficult-to-film angles with a click of a button.
To create cinematic effects, it can even perform 360-degree rotations with a payload of 25KG. It is slated for release in March 2022.
Labrador Retriever
CES is known for a lot of silly robots but the Labrador Retriever can actually be useful. It’s an autonomous mobile robot that acts like a personal assistant. Shaped like a moving shelf, the system is self-driving and guides through a home using a proprietary navigation system. It fuses algorithms from Augmented Reality with robotics to create 3D maps of the home.
The Labrador Retriever automatically lifts and lowers the robot’s deck to different heights. It’s meant for people whose health makes day-to-day physical tasks difficult. Therefore, it can fetch and deliver Labrador brand trays, either by command or on a pre-set schedule. This empowers people to do more, through the help of a personal robot.
Labrador Systems is working with long-term care providers like senior living communities to explore ways the Retriever can support those in need. From delivering medication to picking up lunch trays, the future of personal assistant robots is looking bright.
Robot toys:
Amagami Ham Ham robot pet
We can’t talk about robots at CES 2022 without discussing the weird and wacky. The Amagami Ham Ham stole the show. It’s a small robot toy that nibbles on a user’s fingertip. “Amagami” means “soft biting” and “ham” is “bite” in Japanese. It comes in two models: Yuzu (Calico Cat) and Kotaro (Shiba Inu).
The premise here is that a nice nibble on the finger will brighten up our day and improve our mood. The Amagami Ham Ham uses an algorithm called a “Hamgorithm” that selects from 24 nibbling patterns. This prevents users from knowing or predicting the nibbling sensation. Patterns include Tasting Ham, Massaging Ham, and Section Ham. Each uniquely replicates the feeling of a pet or baby nibbling on one’s finger.
The robots of the future
If CES has taught us anything, it’s that robots are taking over the jobs we don’t want. They can vacuum, mop, act as personal assistants and camera operators. As we start to embrace more and more robots in our homes, don’t forget to check the BestBuy Blog to keep up-to-date on the robot space.
