ASUS Introduces Zenbo: The $599 Home Robot

Remember AIBO, Sony’s robotic dog from the late ‘90s?

The original AIBO. (Image courtesy of Sony.)

When the first consumer model was released, it caused New York Times reporter Lisa Guernsey to ask, “So with a robotic pet and servant on the market—and robotic vacuums and lawn mowers on the way—is the automated world of the Jetsons actually poised to become a reality?”

Well, here we are almost two decades later and the answer still seems to be “No.”

Sure, some of us have robots to do our vacuuming, mopping and gutter cleaning, but they’re a far cry from the Jetsons’ Rosie.

Nevertheless, we do seem to be inching closer to the dream of a practical household robot.

Meet Zenbo: ASUS’ “friendly and capable home robot”.

Highlights of the Zenbo press event.

Unfortunately, ASUS has not provided any technical details about Zenbo. Based on the press demonstration and the website, we can tell that Zenbo is equipped with at least one camera, as well as speakers, a microphone and some form of wireless connectivity.

But that’s it.

Developers who are interested can apply to access the Zenbo SDK, but it’s unclear how long it will take for ASUS to release detailed technical specifications.

The majority of the available information about Zenbo concerns its capabilities. That and its price tag, which was announced as USD$599. The video accompanying the announcement suggests that the robot is essentially a tablet on wheels, taking pictures, recognizing voice commands and questions, and controlling smart home devices such as lights and televisions.

The Cye robot. (Image courtesy of Parag Batavia/Carnegie Mellon University.)

It can’t even haul away your dirty dishes, unlike Cye, a home robot with a comparable price tag that’s been around as long as the AIBO.

So what’s the big deal?

A Personal Robot in Every (Retirement) Home

“For decades, humans have dreamed of owning such a companion: one that is smart, dear to our hearts and always at our disposal,” said ASUS chairman Jonney Shih. I don’t know about you, but I can’t help but feel discomfort at the prospect of “owning” a companion—those concepts seem mutually exclusive.

ASUS chairman Jonney Shih on-stage with Zenbo.

But let’s put ethics aside for a moment and consider the real impetus behind this absurd little robot.

“Our ambition is to enable robotic computing for every household,” said Shih. That’s a lofty goal and ASUS appears to be taking an unconventional path to reach it.

Although the robot is marketed as being fun for the whole family, ASUS is emphasizing its functionality as a home care assistant for seniors. Shih said that Zenbo “helps seniors enjoy a connected digital life and safeguard their health and well-being.”

In addition to providing reminders for doctor’s appointments and medication schedules, Zenbo can monitor the home for emergency situations like falls and notify specified family members in such cases. It’s also possible to assume control of Zenbo and use its camera to check out the situation, though in the best cases that seems unnecessary and in the worst cases disturbingly voyeuristic.

ASUS is hoping Zenbo will be a hit with seniors.

Regardless, if you consider the adoption trajectory of new technologies, the typical path starts with enthusiasts and then spreads out to the general public, from the younger generations on upward. Seniors are usually the last group to jump on the bandwagon. But ASUS seems to be banking on a reversal of that trend.

Could practical home robots see their first widespread use in retirement communities?