Need Some Help for a College Level Design Project

[The Serpent Merchant]

SAT: 1560 without writing (don't remember what it is with)

Didn't take the ACT

You've got the basic idea down.

The technology exists (and has for some time now) for this type of robot, the issue always is cost. You simply can't make a robot with a huge list of features and have it be even remotely affordable. I think that the PC market in the early days was the same way (and that's one of the reasons why microsoft beat apple out of the gate) windows machines can be purchased barebones then upgraded later. I think that everything should be this way.

I feel that the household automation/robotics industry is going to grow dramatically in the next 50 years... I hope to be a part of it.

[Mike41793]

SAT: 1560 without writing (don't remember what it is with)

Didn't take the ACT

You've got the basic idea down.

The technology exists (and has for some time now) for this type of robot, the issue always is cost. You simply can't make a robot with a huge list of features and have it be even remotely affordable. I think that the PC market in the early days was the same way (and that's one of the reasons why microsoft beat apple out of the gate) windows machines can be purchased barebones then upgraded later. I think that everything should be this way.

I feel that the household automation/robotics industry is going to grow dramatically in the next 50 years... I hope to be a part of it.

almost a perfect score! (the writing score isnt even important anyways lol).

I agree although i was unaware all that kinda tech existed already. Makes sense though that its not affordable since its still in the early stages. I also agree that theres a huge market for it. Idk about global so much but definetly in america. People are so lazy here lol. I hope that you do get to be a part of it if thats what you want!

[The Serpent Merchant]

almost a perfect score! (the writing score isnt even important anyways lol).

Yeah, the reading sections killed me lol one of those so close moments.

I agree although i was unaware all that kinda tech existed already. Makes sense though that its not affordable since its still in the early stages. I also agree that theres a huge market for it. Idk about global so much but definetly in america. People are so lazy here lol. I hope that you do get to be a part of it if thats what you want!

Most of the tech has been used in manufacturing/military equipment for at least 15 years... the biggest thing is the power consumption of processors and the cost of processing power... The sensors/motors/other electronics are readily available and cost very little.

Processors will probably account for at least 1/4 of the final price tag...

[Mike41793]

Processors will probably account for at least 1/4 of the final price tag...

Now, or a few years down the road when you start your business? The price of them can only go down so it could only benefit you. Finding the right price to sell them for will be difficult though. At what price point will someone be willing to buy something they dont *technically* need? You know what i mean? Like it has to be affordable to middle class families too bc thats where i would see the most money being made. Rich people can just hire a nanny or cleaner to do it for them so a robot wouldnt really be useful to them. This is just how i see it at least. Middle to Upper Middle class families will buy them and then neighbors will have to buy them to be "keeping up with the Jones'". After indoor attachments you can expand to outdoor attachments too. No more mowing or trimming the hedges lol!

[The Serpent Merchant]

Exactly, Upper Middle class and even upper class is the initial target... over time prices in components will drop to the point that they become more affordable to middle class families as well. That combined with outdated models (like Apple sells the older iPhone and iPad models at reduced price once a new one comes out) will open the door to a broader market. As long as everything is backwards compatible and they are durable there could even be a trade in/used market like there is with cars.

Now, or a few years down the road when you start your business?

With the current prices of processors I couldn't sell them in my goal of $5,000-$10,000 in a few years they will account for 1/4.

obviously I want these things to be as cheap as possible. I'm even considering selling them at or near cost at first and making most of the money on expansions... just to get into the market. I would really like to be able to get the price of the base into the $2,000- $5,000 range but I'm not sure if I can or not at this point.