Your next roommate might be a robot: How embodied AI is reimagining home life

India Today

8 hours ago

From voice-enabled devices on wheels to emotionally intelligent companions, embodied AI is quietly moving in and changing the way we live.Imagine waking up to a robot gently nudging you awake, offering coffee, and prepping your to-do list. This isn't science fiction anymore. Welcome to the age of embodied AI robots designed to live with us, serve us, and even connect with us emotionally.advertisementHome robotics are no longer gimmicks. Companies are developing mobile assistants that vacuum, fetch groceries, monitor pets, and offer companionship. With AI embedded in physical bodies, the domestic landscape is changing.
WHAT TECH TITANS ARE BETTING ONElon Musk predicts 'tens of billions' of personal robots in the future, claiming his company's humanoid bot might one day out value the car business. The robot aims to handle mundane tasks like carrying bags or cleaning up a literal helping hand. He made this statement during Tesla's AI Day in 2022.Masayoshi Son, founder of a leading Japanese tech conglomerate, envisions robots that make people smile. His humanoid creation can chat, dance, and recognise emotions. It's not just a device it's a personality. 'We want robots to be affectionate,' Son said at a 2015 SoftBank Robotics event, framing robotics as emotional, not just functional.advertisementCHORES, CARE, AND COMPANIONSHIPThe first generation of home robots focuses on simplifying life. Robot vacuums are now common. Some bots mow lawns or deliver medicine. Others, like kitchen assistants, stir soups or cook simple meals. In hospitals, robotic aides have helped doctors connect with isolated patients during the pandemic.Elon Musk argues that such technologies free people from menial tasks. 'Physical work will be a choice,' he said during Tesla's 2021 AI Day presentation.Chinese entrepreneur Jack Ma added a similar vision at the 2019 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, suggesting that AI may eventually reduce the human work week to just 12 hours, freeing people for hobbies, rest, or family.In Japan, AI pets resembling dogs are popular among the elderly. These robotic pets bark, wag their tails, and respond to touch without ever needing a walk. Similarly, humanoid assistants have been used in elderly homes to entertain and talk to residents.HUMAN TOUCH, ROBOTIC HEARTOne reason these robots are gaining traction is their 'personality.' Designers give them faces, eyes, and voices to feel relatable. Some blink, beep, and react like friendly cartoon characters. Others bow and use gestures. These aren't just aesthetics they're psychological strategies.Speech matters too. Unlike static voice assistants, embodied AIs use movement and expression to communicate. Some robots nod, apologise, or mirror human emotion. This makes them feel more like a helper than a machine.advertisementSundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet Inc., highlighted the importance of emotional sensitivity in AI during the 2021 Google I/O conference. He said AI must be inclusive and respectful, and that home robots should understand different accents, emotions, and family dynamics. It's not just about functionality it's about fitting into the human environment.EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE BY DESIGNSome AI companions are now trained to detect feelings. A child-focused robot, for example, senses if a child is upset and adjusts its tone. Other robots can identify a frown and respond with a cheerful joke.These interactions aren't random. They're engineered to build trust and emotional rapport. Developers from Aldebaran Robotics, the original creators of one popular humanoid robot, have described their creations as 'kind and emotional companions,' a vision that underpins much of their product philosophy.ASIA LEADS, THE WEST FOLLOWSJapan and South Korea are front-runners in adopting domestic robots. Their culture is more open to robotic companionship, and governments have supported initiatives like robot caregivers for seniors.In contrast, Western consumers are cautiously optimistic. While smart speakers and appliances are widespread, humanoid robots are still niche. Yet the potential is huge. Smart home ecosystems could naturally evolve into mobile assistants that interact in deeper, more physical ways.advertisementEven Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg explored a similar idea when he built his own AI home assistant, 'Jarvis,' which controlled lights, music, and doors in his house. He documented this project in a 2016 Facebook post, showcasing the future of personal AI integration.THE INVISIBLE HELPERThe ultimate vision is a seamless integration of AI into our homes. A fridge that talks to your robot about low groceries. A bot that syncs with your fitness tracker to plan meals. A holographic video call projected by your assistant.This is the AI ecosystem companies are racing toward. Not flashy tech, but invisible convenience. Like electricity, it just works in the background, improving life without drawing attention.Of course, challenges remain. Privacy is a major concern robots with cameras and mics in our homes raise alarms. Then there's reliability. A buggy bot could be more frustrating than helpful.Companies are investing in stronger safeguards and user-friendly settings. Feedback from early adopters is helping shape more intuitive, secure products.advertisementA REVOLUTION IN MOTIONEmbodied AI is not just a trend it's a shift in how we live. From cleaning floors to comforting the elderly, robots are entering our personal spaces with purpose. Visionaries like Musk, Bezos, and Son aren't dreaming they're building.The future home will likely include at least one robot, moving silently through your routine, helping, adapting, and even amusing. And one day, much like smartphones, you may wonder how you ever lived without it.Article by Kashmik Singh Chouhan