It seems humanity has finally lived to see a real technological breakthrough!
While some companies teach artificial intelligence to write poetry, paint pictures and ponder the meaning of life, American engineers decided to tackle a problem that has been ruining the mood of millions of people for centuries.
They've come up with a robot that will take out the trash on its own! In Boston, USA.
And the best part is that it's supposed to not only take the bin out to the road, but also bring it back after the garbage truck arrives.
That is, a person won't have to leave the house at all!
Meet Curbie — a little hero of the big trash business!
This unusual invention was presented by the Boston company Revere Robotics.
The robot was named Curbie.
Unlike the usual humanoid machines, it has no head, arms or legs.
It doesn't need to look like a human, talk or display emotions.
Its task is far more important.
It is supposed to spare owners the need to drag a heavy trash bin out to the road at six in the morning, in the rain or snow!
A small mechanism attaches to the metal axle of the wheels of an ordinary trash container and sets it in motion.
According to the developers' idea, on trash collection day Curbie will independently deliver the bin to the curb, wait for the container to be emptied and return it to its usual place.
What's more, there will be no need to buy a special trash bin.
The robot is supposed to work with existing containers.
Admit it, it's brilliant!
A robot that is truly awaited at home!
Picture an ordinary family morning.
"Honey, did you take out the trash?"
"No."
"And why not?"
"Because now we have a robot for that!"
"And where's the robot?"
"Taking out the trash!"
"And what are you doing?"
"Overseeing technological progress! 🤣"
And indeed, if a system like this actually works, there'll be one fewer family argument.
No more having to work out whose turn it is to drag the bin out today, who forgot to do it, and why the garbage truck has already left.
The robot will simply do the job.
At least, that's exactly what its creators are aiming for.
But there is one small problem
For now, Curbie is at the development and testing stage.
The company is still working on the reliability of the attachment to the bins, the motor's power and the safety of autonomous movement.
An especially tricky task is teaching the device to work on uneven paths, snow and ice.
After all, it's one thing to calmly roll an empty bin over dry asphalt.
And quite another to haul a heavy container through a snowdrift!
The developers also admit that they need to resolve the issues of the trash bin's stability and charging the device outdoors.
Imagine the robot setting off to take out the trash, getting stuck in the snow and sending its owner a message:
"Help! Now you'll have to take me out too!" 😂
For now, the price of Curbie and the start date of sales are unknown.
However, the idea itself has already attracted the attention of technology enthusiasts.
And what comes next?
If the engineers manage to bring the development to mass production, such little helpers could become a common sight near private homes.
And perhaps this is only the beginning.
Today the robot takes out the trash.
Tomorrow it clears the snow.
The day after tomorrow it gathers fallen leaves.
And then it will learn to find the socks that mysteriously disappear after laundry.
That's when humanity will truly be able to speak of the dawn of a new technological era!
The funniest part is that while some robots are trying to replace writers, artists and programmers, Curbie has chosen a profession that people will gladly hand over to it without any resistance.
No strikes, protests or worries about jobs.
Quite the opposite!
"Dear robot, take this job forever! And please don't forget to bring the bin back!" 🤣
All that's left is to teach it one more useful skill — to independently detect who in the family left an empty package in the fridge.
That's when artificial intelligence will finally earn our respect! 😂
