Various smart devices and robots have recently entered the technology market, including autonomous vacuum cleaners and cleaning systems that learn new functions. However, owning these services usually requires purchasing the equipment.
In this context, the startup Tau Robotics has introduced a rental service for humanoid robots intended for residential hygiene, operating in San Francisco, USA. The hourly cost for using the robot is set at $30, which is approximately equivalent to R$ 180.
This robot has the ability to perform complex tasks, such as vacuuming under sofas or collecting debris during cleaning. According to the company, it is capable of performing a deep clean, covering the washing of toilets, countertops, and other areas.
The system is equipped with cameras located on its head and wrists, in addition to incorporating artificial intelligence and depth perception data, features designed to enhance both mobility and cleaning quality.
Despite these capabilities, the company itself acknowledges that the robot's mobility is still slow and, at this time, does not compare to the performance of cleaning done by humans. To optimize this efficiency, it is possible to use two robots simultaneously, which implies an increase in the service fee.
A relevant aspect to highlight is that the robot does not operate fully autonomously; its entire operation is supervised by a human operator. This has generated various discussions regarding privacy.
Tau Robotics assures that the data and information collected about the house structure are kept in the system for an indefinite period, being used later for training and continuous improvement of the robot. However, the company clarifies that this data can be removed upon request from the homeowners.
Customers also have the option to instruct the robot not to clean certain rooms, such as bedrooms or bathrooms, which the startup considers an additional way to ensure privacy. This preference must be defined during the scheduling of the humanoid, as it does not have an audio sensor.
Despite the issues raised, privacy concerns do not seem to be a barrier for those hiring the service. The service launch by the startup occurred just over a month ago and has already served more than 50 homes. Currently, to rent the robot, one must be on the company's waiting list.
Looking ahead, Tau Robotics plans to develop its humanoid to become autonomous, aiming to significantly increase its efficiency and cleaning capacity. Additionally, the company intends to extend its services to include domestic repairs and maintenance.