Robots mastering the weekly shop could soon free up time at the weekends. With the introduction of collaborative robots and AI agents, household chores could also become a display of the latest intelligent robotics technology. From companionship robots that engage in conversation and play board games to cars that drive themselves safely using radar and artificial intelligence, the possibilities for robotics are endless. IDTechEx‘s portfolio of robotics and autonomy market research reports covers all the technologies that could bring about this revolutionized robot-integrated future.
Food shopping with collaborative robots
Hand-picking fruit and vegetables at farms or supermarkets could be a task for collaborative robots while humans relax at home after a long day at work. These robots could be trained to differentiate between items that may have a longer shelf life and those that are already bruising and pick up produce with a soft grip to avoid any damage. Customers can then be assured that they can expect the best quality.
‘Soft grippers’ are described in IDTechEx’s report, “Collaborative Robots 2025-2045: Technologies, Players, and Markets“, as robots specifically designed to handle items with care, controlled by either pneumatic or hydraulic systems. They are, therefore, able to adjust their grip based on the object they’re picking up. This new sense of awareness could make robots just as handy at completing delicate tasks as humans, instead of conforming to the typical heavy-handed and rigid robot stereotype that many people may think of.
Employing robots to clean, cook, and wait tables
After the shopping run is completed, the task of preparing dinner may fall to the hands of robots, as they begin to be designed with the intention of supporting people in their daily lives. Cleaning the house after a long day at work will also no longer need to be a source of stress, as collaborative robots could get the job done without complaint and with accuracy.
Going out for dinner may one day become a brand new and nuanced experience, with orders taken, meals delivered, and even food prepared by robots. IDTechEx’s report “Sensors for Robotics 2023-2043: Technologies, Markets, and Forecasts” explores the ways in which sensors can provide robots with autonomous navigation, object detection, and proximity sensing, which can enable them to complete tasks with precision and care, making them ideal workers for balancing trays in a restaurant environment. While this technology is still quite a way behind robots used for logistics and in industrial settings, the developments happening in the robotics space certainly bring about hope for a new direction.
Robots as companions and security experts
As loneliness grows as an epidemic worldwide, particularly among the elderly, robots could offer life-changing companionship and could be particularly helpful in assisted living or care home environments. With the development of robots’ human-like voices exhibited by Sesame AI, their integration into daily life could feel and sound much smoother.
Alongside the potential for installing AI intelligence to match their human-like sound, robots could offer genuine and intriguing conversations in a fascinating capacity or engage in playing board games. It may also not just be humans that robotics strives to mimic, but the possibility of robodogs that require outdoor playtimes may be a way of providing stimulation for people who desire a new form of company.
Robodogs could also be designed to give guard dogs a break from their duties. Barking and playing as usual, robodogs could be programmed to alert people to potential intruders or noises at nighttime, with no restrictions on their energy or attention spans. IDTechEx’s report, “Mobile Robotics in Logistics, Warehousing and Delivery 2024-2044“, explores the technology that could make this vision a reality.
Mobile robotics could also be responsible for what these robodogs bark at on the other side of the door, with postal services being carried out by logistical robots or drones for quicker and more efficient operations. In warehouses, mobile robots will also have a part to play in increasing efficiency and productivity for many companies. They may be able to reduce the number of human errors made and can work continuously without needing a break, showcasing their helpful talents within a wide range of applications.
Solar-powered gardening robots
With the integration of solar power, robots could one day be used to work outside in the garden, watering plants and trimming hedges while humans enjoy the sun. IDTechEx’s Sensors for Robotics report explains the technologies behind enabling robots to carry out high-precision gardening, as sensors are able to help adjust their speed and positioning.
Integrating solar onto the body of electrical devices to supplement battery power has first been discussed within the automotive market and could pave the way for new energy possibilities in robotics. Bringing about top-tier sustainability and efficiency, solar energy could theoretically be used to power any number of robotic devices, including gardening robots. IDTechEx’s report, “Thin Film Photovoltaics Market 2025-2035: Technologies, Players, and Trends“, demonstrates that some of these technologies can be both printable and flexible and, therefore, could be deposited onto any surface structure.
The rise of AI and revolutionizing robotics
AI agents could one day be used to streamline all tasks carried out by robots within the home seamlessly, including managing security. Tasks could be assigned by a master AI agent that provides necessary instructions to other robots as it identifies and evaluates areas within the home or garden that require attention without the need for human intervention. Ensuring the food in the fridge remains fresh and that surfaces are clean may be examples of areas where humans may not even need to give prompts or reminders. This interconnectivity across all technologies within a designated area could be achieved by AI intelligence being paired across multiple devices.
Going on holiday and leaving an empty house may not need to be a cause for concern, as even the doorbell could be manned by AI to communicate with people approaching the house. With the integration of Sesame AI’s human-like voice technology, robots could be trained to respond to unexpected prompts, providing an extra layer of security. Nightly checks to ensure the doors are locked and that no intruders can attempt to break in could become a learned behavior for AI-powered robots.
AI-enhanced radar technology for autonomous vehicles
Outside of the home, during the work commute or school run, automotive radar technology will be responsible for detecting objects around the vehicle, enabling the car to brake or stop quickly if necessary. These high-performance imaging radars could create a ‘radar mesh’ of surrounding environments and include LiDAR and camera systems so that vehicles can be aware of one another. Roboshuttles and Autonomous Buses could also be a means of traveling around the city without the need for bus drivers. The precision capabilities of robotics may ensure that the buses down the street are always on time so that journeys to work don’t need to be stressful.
AI systems could create highly accurate, real-time maps to enable autonomous driving systems to predict the potential trajectories of nearby objects or vehicles. Citywide AI platforms could develop as a result, utilizing data from vehicle radars to control traffic lights and allocate road priorities, thereby optimizing traffic flow at intersections and reducing congestion and accidents on a larger scale. IDTechEx’s report, “Automotive Radar Market 2025-2045: Robotaxis & Autonomous Cars“, looks deeper into the technologies that may one day make these safer and more streamlined road systems a future possibility.
IDTechEx’s portfolio of Robotics & Autonomy reports provides in-depth insight into the future direction of various robotics markets, showcasing the developing technologies that could make robot-powered homes a future possibility. Downloadable sample pages are available for all IDTechEx reports.
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