The Segway Intel Ninebot will travel around your house with ease
(Mirror Daily, United States) – Intel along with Segway created the robotic butler you can ride or just have follow you around the house wherever you go as your personal assistant. Technology is moving forward, and in spite of warnings from Elon Musk or Stephen Hawking, robots might be part of it.
The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2016 in Las Vegas brought a few innovations this year in terms of futuristic technology. As per their fading tradition since 1967, the electronic fair’s purpose is to bring in new ideas from ambitious companies. Several of them took the stage and made the audience scratch their heads or stare in awe.
The Segway Ninebot made in partnership with Intel was one to likely draw both of those reactions.
Segway is more commonly known for creating the so-called hoverboards on two wheels that numerous people, including celebrities, are seen riding around. It should also be noted that they have been met with problems late last year. Some models have been reported blowing up spontaneously, and one was actually blamed for burning down a house. While the latter did not hold the brand name of ‘Segway’, it was still the same type of tech that has been proven unsafe.
Hopefully though, with the aid of Intel, the company has sorted out all of those mistakes that could lead to serious injuries. Now, they brought a similar bot to the market, only with a bit of a twist. It’s not only the familiar hoverboard, but it’s also an adorable robotic butler, blinking, following the user around, and recognizing their voice.
The Segway Ninebot created with Intel’s help turns from hoverboard to personal assistant at the press of a button. And once you’re no longer in need of it, it may be folded and tucked away. It can perform basic tasks, display various expressions, navigate through your house with ease, answer only to your voice, move its arms, stream videos, recognize people, and communicate.
For example, the bot can head over to the door and recognize who is behind it. Granted, it will not be able to actually let the person in due to limitations on its tiny arms, but it will be able to scoot on over and announce their presence. This is likely where the comparison to a butler comes to the forefront. It can also take pictures and carry things from one place to another.
As a Segway hoverboard, it can travel up to 18 miles on a single charge. All you have to do is remove its arms, hop on, and it can work at maximum speeds of 11 miles per hour. It has self-balancing capabilities, and fifty safety features.
While it does seem that the bot is little but a proof of concept, a sample that such a thing is possible, it may be useful for senior citizens. The companies plan on shipping out a developer kit for the robotic butler in the middle of 2016.
Image source: telegraph.co.uk