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May I Have This Roomba? A Real Robot (February 4, 2005, One)

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Program Summary

How often have you wished you could lounge on the sofa while someone (or something) else did the housework? Well, millions of people have gotten part of their wish. They bought the Roomba, a Frisbee-shaped vacuum cleaner that quietly scoots around the house sucking up dirt and dust,then returns to its charger to refresh its batteries. No human needed.

The Roomba operates with artificial intelligence – it’s loaded with sensors that allow it to avoid stairs and negotiate around obstacles. It can tell the difference between dust and debris, allowing it to choose between sucking action and sweeping action Not only that, it has personality, making a variety of beeps and emitting an “uh-oh” sound when the occasion calls for it. Helen Greiner, co-designer of the Roomba, says she was inspired by R2-D2 from “Star Wars,” which she saw when she was 11 and influenced her to choose robotics as her career.

Greiner’s company, iRobot, makes other types of intelligent robots as well. Their Packbot was used by the military to search for enemy troops and bombs in the caves of Afghanistan, and iRobot is developing a much lighter version that can be packed into hard-to-reach places on a soldier’s back. Greiner says they are also working on another device for the home. She won’t say what it is, but hopefully it cleans bathrooms.

Guests

Helen Greiner, chairman and co-founder of iRobot Corporation in Burlington, Massachusetts

Related Links and Resources

Engadget.com, August 2, 2004: Interview: Helen Greiner, Chairman and Cofounder of iRobot, Corp
iRobot Corporation
ITConversations.com, Feburary 10, 2004: Helen Greiner - Robots
MSNBC.com, October 25, 2004: Unusual Pair Team Up on Battle-Ready Robot
TIME.com, September 14, 2002: Maid to Order
Wired.com, September 2000: Telefriend

For Discussion:

• What is a robot?
• How does the Roomba work? How is it different from the machines on shows like “Battlebots”?
• What other robots has iRobot designed?
• What other tasks do you think could be handled by a household robot? What problems would have to be considered when designing a household ‘bot?
• How could robots be used in the community? How they are being used currently?

Activities

Shall we dance? Watch the Roomba in Action at TIME.com.

I think, therefore I am. Appliances with Minds of their Own, a New York Times Learning Network lesson plan, discusses the possibilities of kitchen appliances that “think.” Students design a thinking appliance and market it, research “duds” that didn’t cut it with the public, and debate the pros and cons of smart machines. They can also research how far smart machines have come since the lesson plan was written in 2000 and how much we rely on them.

Nothing to fear but fear itself. BBCi Science Hot Topics wonders why people fear ArtificialIntelligence and the power of robots. Read how one robot actually “made a break for it.” Students can discuss the reality of films such as “The Terminator” and “The Matrix” series, in which machines either try to eliminate or enslave humans.

First things first. FIRSTis a non-profit organization founded by the inventor of the Segway Human Transporter with the mission of inspiring children to involve themselves in science and technology. FIRST sponsors robot-building competitions for students of all ages; the Lego League is for middle schoolers.

Rock ‘em, sock ‘em robots. Popular Mechanics (New York Times Learning Network) takes a look at the robotics used in the “BattleBots” competition, a demolition derby for robots on cable television. It also discusses robotic technology used in medicine and space exploration. Have students compare and contrast the technology used in the battlebots and Roomba.

For more info and fun with robots, visit Science Friday Kids’ Connection March 12, 2004, Hour One: Robot Race

Use the search box below to perform a Google search within any of the specifc sites or general domains mentioned in this Activities section.

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