Fauna Robotics, a technology startup, has announced the launch of an innovative humanoid robot. This robot is among the first robots that people might welcome into their homes, unlike industrial robots that are usually cold or scary, and are associated with science fiction or industrial applications.
Known as Sprout, the robot was unveiled after years of secret development, with a focus on being friendly, safe, and interacting in a humane manner.
Sprout differs greatly from traditional human models that may appear intimidating or hyper-realistic. The robot is about 1.07 meters long and weighs about 22.7 kg, making it compact compared to larger industrial robots.
Instead of trying to imitate a human face, Sprout features circular LED displays and movable wiper-like eyebrows, used to express its states or intentions, giving it an appearance closer to a lovable cartoon character rather than a mere machine.
The robot has a soft, cushioned design that allows users, including children and pets, to interact with it safely.
Sprout includes a range of advanced processors and sensors. The robot runs on a powerful NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin processor, and relies on stereoscopic vision with sensors that allow it to navigate complex environments, avoid obstacles, and interact in open spaces without the need for restricted areas.
The robot supports control via mobile apps or using virtual reality headsets, allowing developers and researchers to experience the potential of embodied AI in real environments.
Multiple reports indicate that institutions such as UC San Diego, Disney, and Boston Dynamics have already begun testing Sprout in various applications, from research to services and entertainment.
Although the current version is aimed more at developers and researchers than ordinary consumers, the move represents a major shift in the path of humanoid robots toward home use.
It is worth noting that this initiative comes at a time when many experts believe that robots may go beyond their industrial role to become part of daily life in people’s homes in the coming years, with the advancement of artificial intelligence and sensory perception technologies.
Despite technological advances, questions remain about the public’s willingness to accept the presence of humanoid robots in everyday life, especially with regard to privacy, social interactions, and cost of use.
While Sprout remains an experimental initiative for now, its innovative design could be an important first step in bridging the gap between humans and robots in the near future. (Erm News)
