The perfect robot

LoopyByteloose

In truth, I have decide that the perfect robot would be one that either makes me rich or that I can use but don't own.

With that line of thought, i am beginning to also think that I'd rather be walking than driving. In other words, wouldn't it be nice if we could get on the internet and fill a shopping cart at Safeway or Walmart, take it to a check out for non-humans, and have someone or even another robot deliever it when ready?

Why is it that Americans have accepted that standing in line at a check out is a major part of our lives?

So it would certainly be interesting in someone were to get a major supermarket or a Walmart (they have deep pockets, don't they) to pilot a store with robotic shopping carts that can wander along side human and pick merchandise.

Then maybe we could send the electric car down to the pick up area without bothering to go along for the ride. We might even send the kids if they are bored.

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Ain't gadetry a wonderful thing?

aka G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse] 黃鶴 ] in Taiwan

RiJoRi

See http://www.peapod.com/

Not robotic, but you can order your stuff from ShopRite, IF they are in your area.

I think the problem with "follow me" carts is legal, rather than technical. "That cart bumped me! I'm gonna sue!"

--Rich

SRLM

Loopy Byteloose said...
Why is it that Americans have accepted that standing in line at a check out is a major part of our lives?

We haven't. Notice the large up cropping of "self-checkout" at major retailers.

Also, the a British (if I remember right) supermarket chain is testing out a shopping cart that senses what items you put in it, and automatically creates a tab for you. No waiting then.

LoopyByteloose

Sorry for my assumption. I haven't lived in the U.S. since 1994. I've yet to see self-check out as Taiwanese are stuck in lines, but why even bother having to show up for most of it? An automated commissary with an email or SMS to pick up your goods would free a great deal of time wandering around in aisles. The main point is that one wouldn't have to run anywhere, just put in requests.

I guess the concept isn't as creative as I first thought. But, it does seem that we are reaching a point where we will be living along side of some sorts of automated machinery. Bumping into an autmated shopping cart shouldn't be a road rage issue. But maybe it will have to evolve outside of America's sue-everyone culture. Japanese love their robots. But, they love their shopping as well.

Back to the drawing board.

Changing the subject.... Take a look at "LiveStation" for worldwide TV on PC for FREE. My cable provider just shut down the building I live in for sharing cable, so I found this. It is quite excellent!!! I am watch Chinese cartoons right now to improve my listening ability (cartoons are easier than adult movies, which have complex themes in dialog).

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Ain't gadetry a wonderful thing?

aka G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse] 黃鶴 ] in Taiwan

kwinn

Loopy, I like your idea, but I would take it one step further. Have the picking and packing done at a warehouse and shipped to you from there. The only concern I would have is getting the correct items or having an "equivalent" item sent because what I ordered was out of stock or no longer available. Usually the "equivalent" item is one that is more profitable for the seller and of lesser quality and use to me.

Philldapill

The movie "Wall-E" comes to mind with this sort of talk. The humans had robots do everything for them, and were confined to "hover-chairs" because they were so fat they couldn't even walk.

I love technology and new advancements, but some great ideas should never happen as humans are, by nature, lazy maggots and will invent all sorts of gadgets to get of doing work.

On a more positive note... I've thought about this system, too. However, I think the system would work better if we eliminated the shelves and shopping area, and just had "pick and place" robots getting items off huge rows of shelves. The items would then be put on a conveyor belt, and another robot would sort them into orders. The orders would then be picked up at the front. Gotta love efficiency. [noparse]:)[/noparse]

SRLM

It wouldn't work for me personally. I need to see items on the shelf to remember what I want to (or can) buy. I'm a terrible cook, so my solution is to wander the isles looking for something that would work for me.

kwinn

I liked the idea for it's potential time savings, environmental benefits, and social benefits. Saves time, saves energy, reduces pollution, and makes it easy for the elderly, handicapped, and non drivers to shop.

LoopyByteloose

Shopping is very much a cultural thing. Throughout Asia, small shops provide much of what is sold in huge mass markets in the U.S. In Europe, many people buy raw food daily and carry it home rather than driving to a supermarket once a week. Open air weekly markets set up in many places and people enjoy stopping by and socializing. So, I guess the real question is how the robot can culturally fit into a variety of human situations. I just thought that Americans could save on a sort of shopping that have become less social and more of a drudgery.

The Roomba, robotic vacuum cleaner is an obvious example of a well accepted, liberating robot. Still, I would trust a robot to wash my dog or iron a shirt. Home automation seems to have more appeal about security than about actual control of the environment and ambiance as people want low maintainence and low energy costs.

So where does the robot fit? Only in the workshop? In the kitchen? In the yard? Maybe I really need a robot to charge all my gadgets while I am sleeping. Or a small one to wash my socks and underwear as I sent the rest of the laundry out.

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Ain't gadetry a wonderful thing?

aka G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse] 黃鶴 ] in Taiwan