Do We Really Need Home Robots?
Commentary
Maybe there was a time, when I was a kid watching 'The Jetsons,' that I fantasized of a walking, talking, productive robot in my house. It would do the laundry, cooking, cleaning, answer the door, walk the dog, dress the kids, make the bed, and so on.
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Miami Herald
6 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Amazon quietly tests innovation that could replace humans
Everyone seems to be obsessed with futuristic developments, and it might be because many of us grew up watching "The Jetsons," "The Matrix," and the "Back to the Future" trilogy. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter These movies gave hope to a future in which technology would take care of all the undesirable tasks to make humans' lives easier. And with recent technological advancements, it does sometimes feel like the possibilities are limitless. Related: Amazon's Temu and Shein killer makes key moves Now, those kids who were fascinated with flying cars and teleportation have grown up to become engineers and CEOs of tech companies. But are they considering the down side of these kinds of innovations? Image source: Bloomberg/Getty Images For years, Amazon (AMZN) has invested heavily in optimizing operations and making deliveries move efficiently. The company began its journey when it announced its drone delivery program in 2013, but after over a decade of testing and many difficulties, the project has yet to come to fruition. Related: Google brings Iron Man/Tony Stark tech to regular people In 2023, Amazon took it a step further by partnering with Agility Robotics to begin testing Digi, the first human-centric, multipurpose robot made for logistics work. This development aimed to make "the work experience of their employees safer, easier, and less repetitive," as Agility Robotics CEO Damion Shelton said in the press release. However, this time, Amazon is taking robotics and innovation to the next level, causing some to question whether it may have gone too far. Amazon is developing a new artificial intelligence-powered (AI) software for humanoid robots and building a park to test them, as reported by The Information. This innovation reportedly will enable humanoid robots to perform human tasks, such as driving Amazon's electric Rivian vans and delivering packages, in an effort to speed up delivery times. However, if successful, this test could potentially replace human delivery workers, putting thousands of jobs at risk. More Retail News: Popular tire company makes harsh cost-cutting decision amid declinesUnited Airlines slashes ticket prices for surprising reasonPeloton creates new way for consumers to get cheaper equipment As stated in the report, Amazon is fully developing the software for this project, while the hardware used to build the robots will be developed through partnerships with other companies. The test park under construction in San Francisco consists of an indoor obstacle course the size of a coffee shop. There, Amazon will test the Rivian vans with the humanoid robots inside to see if they can make simulated deliveries before taking them out into the real world to perform the task. Although the development of these robots may sound like a success to some, others are more skeptical. Professor Subramanian Ramamoorthy of the University of Edinburgh is in the questioning camp, stating: "If Amazon restricts the scope, which means using relatively clear driveways and standard layouts of doors and surroundings, then the task would be quite a bit simpler. As the environments become more complex and variable, and others enter the picture – such as pets and small children – the problems become harder." Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Newsweek
15 hours ago
- Newsweek
Personal Flying Cars May Be Luxury's New Status Symbol
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. In the future, having a flying car will be a unique and cutting-edge status symbol, even more than owning a customized Maybach or Rolls-Royce. Elite travelers will take to the skies, avoiding traffic, in their personal vehicles. Doroni Aerospace is on the cutting edge of the market. The company recently secured $180 million in investment to bring America's first personal flying car to market. The very modern company has its roots in the cartoons of the space age. "My whole life I've been fantasizing about flying cars—ever since I was young. I grew up watching shows like The Jetsons, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Back to the Future—all the futuristic stuff," Doroni Aerospace CEO Doron Merdinger told Newsweek. "The idea basically started at the end of 2016. I had a 'eureka' moment when I saw this kid playing with a drone," he continued. 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Owners will be able to take off and land their Doroni eVTOL on the flat rooftop of a two-car garage, or at one of the country's vertiports. A number of airfields and airports across the country are installing vertiports, including at some military bases. Potential customers can reserve their H1-X with a $1,000 deposit. The expected cost of the unit is estimated to be around $350,000, about the same price as a Rolls-Royce Ghost. "We currently have over 500 pre-order requests, many of whom have already put down deposits. All the pre-orders so far have come from individuals, which we like. We want to work closely with our first buyers to understand how they see this vehicle fitting into their lives, how they use it, how safe it feels. It's about learning together and delivering the safest, most groundbreaking personal vehicle possible," he said. The company predicts that it won't be able to deliver its eVTOL to customers until at least 2026. "We expect the MOSAIC rules approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to stretch into 2026. We're introducing a whole new category of vehicles. It's important to take our time, work closely with the FAA, and do things the right way. We know this is disruptive technology which is why we need to stay grounded—no pun intended. We're creating something entirely new. It's important to stay cautious, iterate carefully, and remain aligned with the FAA," Merdinger said. The FAA's MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) rules are designed to expand the current light-sport aircraft category to include eVTOLs and other advanced aircraft. "Once we're out there, the market will only grow exponentially. Companies are already approaching us with use cases—from luxury shuttle systems flying from New York to Tokyo in under an hour, to servicing wind turbines in remote ocean locations, and to farming. The use cases are endless," he concluded. New York to Tokyo in under an hour may seem impossible at first glance. However, transportation and aerospace engineers are working on making it a reality. The 6,700-mile journey could be possible in three segments: a 20-minute flight using Doroni's H1-X from the passenger's home to the departure shuttle, a high-speed transcontinental flight lasting approximately 20 minutes and a final 20-minute flight from the arrival shuttle directly to the passenger's final destination. Rendering of a Doroni Aerospace flying car charging. Rendering of a Doroni Aerospace flying car charging. Doroni Aerospace Fortune Business Insights projects that the flying car market will be valued at $1.53 trillion USD by 2040. There are several companies in the eVTOL development space, including Joby Aviation, which acquired Uber's flying car unit in late 2020. Uber then invested $75 million in the company. Lilium, Archer Aviation and Vertical Aerospace are also working on eVTOL travel, as is aerospace powerhouse company Airbus.
Epoch Times
3 days ago
- Epoch Times
Do We Really Need Home Robots?
Commentary Maybe there was a time, when I was a kid watching 'The Jetsons,' that I fantasized of a walking, talking, productive robot in my house. It would do the laundry, cooking, cleaning, answer the door, walk the dog, dress the kids, make the bed, and so on.
