"Westworld," the HBO-drama about sentient robots and their not-so-benevolent human handlers, has become America’s latest television obsession.
As the show prepares for its season one finale this weekend, we wondered—how close is man to the dream of automaton assistants?
For those who’d like to bring a bit of "Westworld" home (minus the carnage and carnality), we’ve cataloged the current line-up of available, and coming soon, in-house robotics, in order of sentience.
Clean Machine
We’ve expressed our fondness for these floor-cleaning fellows a few times now, but the facts remain—iRobot’s Roomba and Braava brands are some of the most solid, semi-sentient service bots currently on the market.
With just the push of a button, iRobot’s ground groomers will set about the business of cleaning your floors, of any material type, with an eye on thoroughness and self-preservation—iRobot devices will recognize impediments like stairs or furniture and keep themselves from crashing.
For those concerned about an uprising (you’ve probably been watching too much "Westworld"), iRobot’s Roomba and Braava brands offer accompanying apps that allow you to control the mechanical cleaners.
Price: Roomba - $499.99 to $899.99; Braava $199.99 to $299.99
Sky High Security
There’s no shortage of smart security cameras available on the market (Nest Outdoor and Ring to name but two), but they all have a singular shortcoming in common—they’re stationary.
Enter Sunflower Labs and its innovative Sunflower Home Awareness System.
The Home Awareness System consists of a series of Smart Lights, flashlight-shaped sensors/lights that are placed in the ground surrounding your house, and the Flying Camera, a camera-equipped drone capable of broadcasting live video. When the Smart Lights detect unusual activity, the Flying Camera, which shoots hi-res footage and features infrared light for night vision, is deployed to investigate.
The Flying Camera, which will send live video to the owner’s smart device of choice, may also have the unintended side benefit of being a digital guard dog and deeply spook the unsuspecting and unwanted intruder who was not expecting a robotic encounter.
Pricing Targets: $159 per Smart Light; $799 for the Flying Camera; Smart Lights ship in 2017; Flying Camera beta TBD, product reservation available for $25
The Robo-Butler Did It
If the robot won’t come to you, go to the robot…who will then come to you.
Residents of the forthcoming 40-story Los Angeles luxury tower Ten Thousand will have a hardwired helper to rely on when the building opens in 2017.
More:Tour the New L.A. Tower Where Renters Can Run Errands in a Bentley, Relax in Their Own Private Park
CHARLEY, a Relay model delivery droid designed and built by robotics developer Savioke, will bring Ten Thousand residents a range of requested products, from packages and meals to flowers and birthday cakes. Renters will be able to call for CHARLEY, who will know how to navigate Ten Thousand’s layout and operate its elevators, via the building residents’ app on their personal smart device or on the iPad Mini 4, which will be gifted to anyone who rents at the tower.
According to a news release from Crescent Heights, the luxury tower’s developer, the robot will be the first of its kind deployed in a residential setting (Relay model robots have previously been employed in hotels, like the Crowne Plaza). As of yet, the developer has not released a guide on how to conduct small talk with CHARLEY when sharing an elevator.
Price: Two to three-bedrooms with rent starting at $8,500-a-month; Penthouses with rent starting at $25,000
A True Digital Assistant
Meet Maya. She can manage your schedule, take care of your online shopping and even read your children a bedtime story.
Her help is real. She is not.
This artificially intelligent assistant, born of a Kickstarter campaign by robotics developer Robotbase, is mobile robot and resembles a mix between a pedestal fan and a mirror, while projecting a persona that resembles a mix between Pixar and an emoji. Maya can monitor your biometrics, communicate and control your home’s other smart products, serve as a security system and, apparently, offer sly commentary on your social life, among many other tasks.
Maya, which should begin shipping between January to April, is available now in a Beta version on a first-come, first-serve basis for users who don’t mind an undercooked variant.
If this all has you contemplating the worst moments of "Westworld," remember—you can always order an Echo.
Price: $1,499; Estimated Delivery: April 30, 2017