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In a recent development, the humble robotic vacuum cleaner, commonly known as Roomba, might soon be more than just a dust-absorbing machine. As reported by Taiwan's Central News Agency on July 24, the future of these robots may involve gathering vital data about our living spaces rather than simply cleaning them.
According to Reuters, these robots could soon be equipped to track changes in your home environment, such as room dimensions and the relative distances between furniture like sofas, tables, and lamps. This capability holds immense potential for tech industries keen on pushing forward the adoption of smart home devices controlled via networks.
Currently, we already see products like smart lighting, thermostats, and security cameras on the market. However, according to Colin Angle, CEO of iRobot, the company behind Roomba, these devices are still relatively slow at comprehending their physical surroundings. He believes that advanced mapping technologies used in higher-end Roomba models could revolutionize this aspect, aligning with the company's strategic goals.
This vision has caught the attention of major players like Amazon, Apple, and Alphabet, the parent company of Google, who are actively developing artificial intelligence-powered voice assistants as part of their efforts to connect with smart homes. Financial research firm IHS Markit predicts that the market value of smart home devices reached $9.8 billion in 2016, with a projected growth of 60% in 2017.
Angle hinted that within the coming years, iRobot might strike a deal to sell its mapping technology to one of these tech giants or another major player in the industry. While Amazon declined to comment, Apple and Google remained silent on the matter.
Investors have shown significant confidence in iRobot's strategy, driving its stock price up from $35 last year to $102 in mid-June. The company reported a revenue of $660 million in 2016, with a market capitalization nearing $2.5 billion.
However, iRobot faces challenges such as privacy concerns and competition from lower-priced alternatives like the $300 Bissell SmartClean and the $270 Hoover Quest 600. These competitive pressures could impact Roomba's popularity as a mainstream household gadget.
Despite these hurdles, iRobot remains optimistic about the future of its smart home technology, signaling a promising path ahead for the integration of robotics and AI in our daily lives. (Intern: Mana, Edited by: Tan Li Ya)