In the modern world, robots are becoming more and more of a common occurrence in our day-to-day lives. Technology has advanced to such a high level that new creations and variations of robots are constantly being built, installed with new skills and techniques, exceeding the expectations previous robots have set in Hong Kong.
A robot is a computer programmed machine capable of carrying out a series of human movements and functions automatically. They can execute tasks with little to no human intervention at a steady speed with precision. A robot may be guided by an external control device to perform tasks or the control systems may be embedded inside the robot itself.
There is a variety of advantages that we humans gain from robots.
They’re more reliable than humans. People tend to have unreliable moments, such as being late to a business meeting, etc. But because robots are programmed to perform exceptionally, they are naturally reliable.
They can work all day. Robots are able to work productively non-stop (as long as they’re equipped with the right resources and equipment), even when humans take breaks from their work, e.g. to go on holiday.
They can’t say no (yet). As of now, robots aren’t able to refuse humans’ requests, and they have to do whatever they’re told.
However, there are also several disadvantages.
They lead to humans losing jobs. Robots are capable of making zero mistakes in their work, making them perfect for the task they’re required to do, unlike humans.
They require constant power. Without electricity, robots wouldn’t be able to function, act and carry out tasks. This makes them expensive to run and can potentially damage the environment unless we shift over to using renewable energy sources.
They may suffer from expensive faults and repairs. This is another financial problem; everything, from the materials involved to the engineers needed to fix the robots, can add up to an expensive price
Disinfection robots around shopping malls in Hong Kong are gaining popularity, with one example including the robot squadron based around K11 Musea.
Each of the robots in K11 Musea has two vents, four wheels and a tank able to store up to 10 litres of sterilising solution. They also have sensors with the ability to detect obstacles in their path, making it easier for them to do their job, which is to sterilise effectively and to be able to move around freely without the assistance of humans.
These robots are founded by the CEO of Rice Robotics, Victor Lee. His product is a way to strengthen hygiene standards and to boost customer confidence levels around shopping malls.
Rice Robotics, the aforementioned company, has also trained its robots to deliver meals to those in quarantine and living in hotels. The robots can go into lifts with mapping functions and have the ability to operate through many floors in a building on their own. They can also operate twenty-four hours a day. When their tasks have been completed, they go back to their charging station to charge themselves up.
These robots minimise contact between hotel staff and travellers, creating a healthier environment in the hotel as travellers from all over the world may still be carrying various diseases inside the hotel, unbeknownst to them.
A humanoid robot developed by Hanson Robotics and designed by the healthcare market of Hong Kong, Grace aims to bring consolation and interaction especially to the isolated elderly amidst the tough times of the pandemic.
Dressed in a blue nurse uniform, she shares human, but more specifically, Asian features, with collar-length brown hair along with brown eyes. Grace’s similarities to human healthcare professionals and ability to socialise help reduce the burdens of healthcare workers.
Grace’s abilities also include taking her patients’ temperatures, measuring their responsiveness and taking bio readings. Furthermore, she is able to speak multiple languages including Cantonese and English, which is more than useful when Grace practices psychotherapy for her patients.
Sources:
Writer: Bernice Lau
Editor: Kristen Wong
Artists: Soham Chopra and Alicia Fok
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