Amazon’s top-secret “Vesta” program is for building home robots

The timeline is subject to change though, so the domestic robots could be launched to the public a little later than 2019. But they have proved to be some sort of disappointment as the reviews regarding the performance of these robots suggest. Seeing the popularity of the previous products that have been developed by the same department, we can only speculate that the new robotic Alexa for homes too is going to be a sensation.

A robot made with a knowledge of how to effectively interact with, and augment, humans could, as Mataric has said in the past, become “a companion that fills the gap of what’s missing”. HomePod could be part of that, too, if the device catches on with consumers. But the robot’s functions are still unknown. Odds are it won’t do the dishes of fix you dinner. There is certainly value (and intrigue) in a mobile Echo though. Nevertheless, the idea of living with a personal robot at home seems quite exciting. Bloomberg reported that when asked about the Vesta project, an Amazon spokesperson said the company wouldn’t comment on “rumors and speculation”. For Apple, that’s a problem CEO Tim Cook probably isn’t anxious about. Even though Apple has a reputation of watching other companies make mistakes before making their own, an example like the Homepod shows the company feels a bit confused. The iPod is a flawless example, as is the iPhone, and now Apple Watch. Among the big ones, Srinivasa foresees: Designing homes that are compatible with robot movements.

In a robot, this knowledge could come to express itself in its tone of voice or the gestures, movement, or expression used. Amazon Robotics deploys robots in Amazon warehouses to move around goods and originated as a company called Kiva Systems, which Amazon acquired in 2012 for $775 million. It won’t, however, be first to market. Some of this kind of robot has already been unveiled by the companies like LG’s Hub bot, Mayfield Robotics’ Kuri, and the Pixar-like Jibo.

IRobot makes home-cleaning robots such as the Roomba vacuum cleaner and Braava mopping robot. The robot will do the work as you command it.