Page 303 - Concise Encyclopedia of Robotics

When and if household robots become commonplace, one of their
duties will be to ensure the safety of the human occupants.This will include
escorting people from the house if it catches fire, and then putting out the
fire and/or calling the fire department. It might also involve performing
simple first-aid tasks.
Security
Computers and robots can be of immense help around the house when it
comes to prevention of burglaries. Smart Home
Security robots have been around for decades. A simple version is the
electronic garage-door opener. More advanced systems include intrusion
alarm systems and electronic door/gate openers. High-end devices make
it difficult for unauthorized people to enter a property.
A sentry robot can alert a homeowner to abnormal conditions. It might
detect fire, burglars, or water.A sentry might detect abnormal temperature,
barometric pressure, wind speed, humidity, or air pollution.
Food service
Robots can prepare and serve food. So far, the major applications have
been in repetitive chores, such as placing measured portions on plates,
cafeteria style, to serve a large number of people. However, robots can be
adapted to food service in common households.
Personal robots, when they are programmed to prepare or serve food,
require more autonomy than robots in large-volume food service. You
might insert a disk into a home robot that tells it to prepare a meal of
meat, vegetables, and beverages, and perhaps also dessert and coffee. The
robot would ask you questions, such as:
• How many people will be here for supper tonight?
• Which type of meat would you like?
• Which type of vegetable?
• How would you like the potatoes done? Or would you rather have rice?
• What beverages would you like?
When all the answers are received, the robot executes the tasks necessary
to prepare the meal. The robot might serve you as you wait at the table,
and then clean up the table when you are done eating. It might do the
dishes, too.
Yard work
Riding mowers and riding snow blowers will be easy for robots to use.
The robot need only sit on the chair, ride the machine around, and oper-
ate the handlebar/pedal controls. Alternatively, lawn mowers or snow

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