Important Innovations

Growing Demand for Service Robots Accelerating Use of Robots in Hospitality Industry Labor shortages and rapidly rising costs are accelerating the use of robots in the hospitality industry.  It's an important megatrend in Hong Kong and Japan and a phenomenon that's sweeping worldwide.  A big and growing player is Hong Kong-based Rice Robots. It's cute, stocky cuboid robots serve as bellhops at Hong Kong hotels, deliver snacks to office workers in Japan and deliver coffee and drinks to customers at the Hong Kong Cyberport Innovation Hub. For customers of the Hub's Cafe, the drinks come stored in the cute, compact robot's head.  Customers use a pin sent to their cellphone to access their order.  In the age of Covid, the Rice robots are providing clean and efficient service without an extra layer of human contact, potentially spreading Covid.  That's a key reason that demand for robotic service is accelerating. New Armies of Service Robots There are growing numbers

  Cute, Friendly Robots Are in High, Service Demand                                                                 Source:  Rice Robots Accelerating Use of Robots in Hospitality Industry Labor shortages and rapidly rising costs are accelerating the use of robots in the hospitality industry.  It's an important megatrend in Hong Kong and Japan and a phenomenon that's sweeping worldwide.  A big and growing player is Hong Kong-based Rice Robots. It's cute, stocky cuboid robots, named Rice, serve as bellhops at Hong Kong hotels, deliver snacks to office workers in Japan and deliver coffee and drinks to customers at the Hong Kong Cyberport Innovation Hub. For customers of the Hub's Cafe, the drinks come stored in the cute, compact robot's head.  Customers use a pin sent to their cellphone to access their order.  In the age of Covid, the Rice robots are providing clean and efficient service without an extra layer of human contact, potentially spreading Covid.  That's

 World's 1st Robot Manicurist  - Clockwork Manicure                                                     Source:  Clockwork New Robotic Startup in San Francisco This is another example of robotic versatility and dexterity that is a world first.  A new startup Clockwork, based in San Francisco, has invented a nail painting robot that can perform the polish application in less than ten minutes.  It's the world's first manicure robot.  The robot uses 3D scanning to determine the exact shape and size of the person's nails.  It then paints the nails in a circular motion while the client sits still for the polish application. What Is the Market Potential? The market potential appears to be considerable for robot manicurists. Americans spent more than $9 billion at nail salons in 2020 and that was during the pandemic. Founder and CEO Renuba Apte says the robot is designed as a quick and convenient service.  She says it is complementary to nail salons as the robot does not cut,

  Gary the Robot Does Laundry, Brings Coffee & Cleans                                     Source:  Unlimited Robotics' Gary A Very Versatile Robot For Home and Business For most of us, Gary the robot could be a dream come true.  He can do household chores like vacuuming and doing the laundry (load and unloading the washer) that most of us wouldn't mind not doing.  Developed in Israel by Unlimited Robotics he is one of the world's most versatile robots.  And, he will be available for customers in 2022. Incredible Functionality Gary weighs 88 pounds, is about 4.5 feet tall and can move at 3.1 mph.  He is designed to work in homes and businesses.  His functionality seems endless.  He can pickup socks, water plants, clean toilets, open jars, put bags of groceries into the trunk of a car, load the dishwasher and more.  For businesses, he can carry up to 11 pounds and move packages around a warehouse.  For restaurants, he can greet guests and serve food to tables.  For hotels

  Grace - Robo Nurse For Senior Care                                             Source:  Hanson Robotics' Grace & Toyota's Gantry Robot Toyota's Gantry Robots To Assist Elderly in the Kitchen The global use of helper/service robots is dramatically on the rise.  According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), global sales of medical robots, before the pandemic hit, were up 28% between 2018 and 2019.  Now with the pandemic and the megatrend of telehealth and contactless care, the IFR is forecasting that the sale of medical robots will double during the next three years.  Good examples of emerging new health and elder care robots are Grace, a humanoid robot created by Hanson Robotics of Hong Kong and Gantry robot from Toyota. Grace Has Sensors, a Thermal Camera & Speaks 3 Languages Grace is a remarkable piece of robotic technology.  She speaks three languages:  English, Cantonese and Mandarin.  She is designed to assist elderly patients and is able to soc

  Grace - Robo Nurse For Senior Care                                             Source:  Hanson Robotics' Grace & Toyota's Gantry Robot Toyota's Gantry Robots To Assist Elderly in the Kitchen The global use of helper/service robots is dramatically on the rise.  According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), global sales of medical robots, before the pandemic hit, were up 28% between 2018 and 2019.  Now with the pandemic and the megatrend of telehealth and contactless care, the IFR is forecasting that the sale of medical robots will double during the next three years.  Good examples of emerging new health and elder care robots are Grace, a humanoid robot created by Hanson Robotics of Hong Kong and Gantry robot from Toyota. Grace Has Sensors, a Thermal Camera & Speaks 3 Languages Grace is a remarkable piece of robotic technology.  She speaks three languages:  English, Cantonese and Mandarin.  She is designed to assist elderly patients and is able to soc

  Franzi Cleans Hospital Floors, Talks, Sings & Cracks Jokes                                         Source: Dr. Rettler SERVICE A Robot Putting Smiles on Patients' Faces During the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, a new robot named Franziska, or Franzi for short, is spotlessly cleaning the hallway floors in a Munich, Germany hospital.  And importantly she is cheering up patients, staff and visitors along the way with her talking, singing and joke-telling.  Franzi can clean floors for ten hours on a single charge.  She receives her cleaning duty commands by smart phone.  The 3.3 feet tall robot has become quite the sensation while doing highly valuable service and keeping human workers out of harms way. Robotic Workforce in the Pandemic Franzi is an advanced member of the robotic workforce during the pandemic.  She is stationed at Neuperlach Hospital in Munich and is part of Dr. Rettler SERVICE, a German company that specializes in hospital cleaning, which is a critical service du