Humanoid robots are taking another step into everyday life as a new service allows households and offices to hire robotic workers for about $30 an hour.
The pilot program, launched by San Francisco-based robotics company Tau Robotics, is designed to demonstrate how humanoid machines could eventually handle common household chores. The company currently uses robots named Chelsea and Elon, which can perform tasks such as vacuuming floors, cleaning kitchen countertops and taking out the trash.
Tau Robotics co-founder and CEO Alex Koch said the initial goal is to train the machines to imitate human performance before eventually surpassing it. However, the technology still faces limitations, including difficulties picking up certain objects from the floor.
Can anyone hire one of these humanoid robots today?
Not yet. The service is currently available only through an invitation-based reservation system, limiting access while Tau Robotics continues testing and improving the robots.
The development could mark an important shift in home automation, although some domestic workers are already questioning whether humanoid robots could eventually replace human labor.
