Need Some Help for a College Level Design Project

[The Serpent Merchant]

So as some of you already know, I am an engineering major in college. I currently am double majoring in electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. As of this coming fall semester I will be adding on a minor (required to have one) it will be in intelligent robotic systems.

I am starting the process of developing my senior design project (for those who aren't familiar with a SDP, basically it is a year long research and development project required to graduate) I have chosen to do my project on household automation/robotics. Basically I will be developing a robotic solution to household chores.

So why am I posting this thread? Well, I need to know what the general public wants out of a robot. What should it be able to do, what shouldn't it be able to do. What type of form factor should it have (humanoid or non-humaniod) How does it interact with people (if at all), etc. Any and all input is greatly appreciated.

Here are some pictures of non-humanoid style robots I have built in the past. Would something like this be welcome in your home? (A home robot would look much better, this is just to give you an idea of the form of a non-humaniod robot)









Thanks

[Mike41793]

If you build me an R2-D2 i will refer to you as Lord Aaron of Dagobah from then on... And all shall bow their heads out of respect when in the presence of Lord Aaron...
SDP idea problem= solved

[The Serpent Merchant]

If you build me an R2-D2 i will refer to you as Lord Aaron of Dagobah from then on... And all shall bow their heads out of respect when in the presence of Lord Aaron...
SDP idea problem= solved

lol, if only that would be really easy... unfortunately they require something with a little more focus.

Between the college research budget and private investments/grants I have been working on I am hoping to get about $250,000 for R&D on this project. The sky is the limit.

[Mike41793]

Haha oh ok, well then.
Idk then dude, i cant really think of a problem that i encounter in everyday life that needs fixing... Which is what it sounds like what you need, am i right? Or are you kinda looking for something fun that doesnt necesarily solve a problem?

[The Serpent Merchant]

Think Rosie from the Jetsons... like a robotic maid. What do you hate doing around the house?

Some good examples would be:

Taking out the trash

Cleaning

Doing dishes

Doing laundry

Bringing you drinks

That type of stuff.

[Mike41793]

Oh ok well id like a robot to let my dog in and out. It would have to be able to open an close the door by recognizing her bark, im thinking like voice activated but in this case itd be bark activated lol. See she is 13 and like any old person she has to pee like 20 times a day now instead of just going out a few times a day like when she was younger. It would also have to be able to recognize that shes all the way out the door or all the way in because like any old person shes also really slow sometimes lol. So some sorta motion sensor or whatever would be a must. Im picturing it as a simple unit that just mounts on the corner of a door. Having it be fairly universal to most doors would be good too bc people arent gunna wanna pay to have their whole door replaced...
This is probably a bad idea but i think its along the lies of what you mean. be sure to keep us updated on it because it sounds like itll be cool whatever you end up doing!

[Wiggy]

How about a robot that hits the snooze button for you? xD

Ummmmm... I guess it sorta depends what you want to define as a 'robot'. I mean what level of complication and artificial intelligence are we talking?

Simple things like putting the toilet seat down, making sure the shower curtain is always closed, drying the floor after you've gotten out of the shower would all be pretty useful assuming they were kept discrete and out of the way.

Maybe some sort of system that would 'know' when you've left the house for a certain period of time and would make sure all your lights, stove, sinks, etc were turned off?

Personally, for household use, I think discrete is probably the best option for most ideas. The home is cluttered enough with appliances as is.

[Mike41793]

Ummmmm... I guess it sorta depends what you want to define as a 'robot'. I mean what level of complication and artificial intelligence are we talking?

$250K worth... i.e. It has to make R2-D2 look like a keurig coffee maker...

[The Serpent Merchant]

Oh ok well id like a robot to let my dog in and out. It would have to be able to open an close the door by recognizing her bark, im thinking like voice activated but in this case itd be bark activated lol. See she is 13 and like any old person she has to pee like 20 times a day now instead of just going out a few times a day like when she was younger. It would also have to be able to recognize that shes all the way out the door or all the way in because like any old person shes also really slow sometimes lol. So some sorta motion sensor or whatever would be a must. Im picturing it as a simple unit that just mounts on the corner of a door. Having it be fairly universal to most doors would be good too bc people arent gunna wanna pay to have their whole door replaced...
This is probably a bad idea but i think its along the lies of what you mean. be sure to keep us updated on it because it sounds like itll be cool whatever you end up doing!

alright, I see what you are saying. This needs to be a multifunction robot, but I could include that type of functionality. being directly "activated" by a dog brings a whole new set of issues, but could be worked out. Thanks for the input.

This is they type of robot that I think I will end up going with, a semi-humaniod robot, but with a very different drive system. Instead I will be using a drive base that I developed over the last 2 years that is capable of climbing stairs.

[h00blah]

Think Rosie from the Jetsons... like a robotic maid. What do you hate doing around the house?

Some good examples would be:

Taking out the trash

Cleaning

Doing dishes

Doing laundry

Bringing you drinks

That type of stuff.

For laundry, I wouldn't mind having something that hangs clothes, or folds them and stacks them nicely to be put into drawers. Or a sock sorter....

Not so sure about bringing me drinks, but if it could cook for me, that'd be awesome! Make the robot cook me some eggs and toast! Or pour a nice bowl of cereal and milk XD... People can refill all the spices when they're low.. Just toss the ingredients into the appropriate slot and you're good to go! XD idk..