Similar to tasks in the business and industrial world where robots are taking on the “dirty, dull and dangerous” roles, home chores such as laundry, car washing, raking leaves and taking out the trash are on people’s wish list for handing over to home robots. A new study of 2,000 Americans revealed that 73% of respondents think their homes would be cleaner if they had robots doing their chores.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of robot vacuum maker Roborock, the study asked respondents about the household chores they don’t like to do, and whether they’d prefer to have a robot do those tasks.
Dull chores
When asked what tasks they dislike doing most, many “dull” tasks topped the list:
- Washing the car – 45.65%
- Raking leaves – 44.15%
- Folding/putting away clean laundry – 42.8%
- Mowing the lawn – 42.45%
- Laundry (loading/unloading) – 41.8%
- Bathroom cleaning – 41.3%
- Cleaning up after a pet – 31.6%
- Washing the dishes – 34.25%
- Mopping / wet cleaning the floor – 32.25%
- Vacuuming – 29.95%
- Emptying the dishwasher – 29.3%
However, respondents also had opinions about the tasks they would not let a robot do for them, which is bad news for that diaper-changing robot:
- Change a diaper – 41.69%
- Make dinner – 40.44%
- Walk/pick up after the dog – 35.19%
- Drive kids to schools/activities – 34.93%
- Clean the bathroom – 29.38%
- Fold clothes – 25.63%
- Make beds – 25.43%
- Clean oven – 19.17%
The survey also asked which futuristic products respondents would like to have if or when they exist:
- Flying car – 50.9%
- Smart car – 49.1%
- Robot butler – 43.14%
- Holographic watch – 40.29%
- Teleporter – 36.54%
- Mirror TV – 35.39%
- Hoverboard – 34.83%
The graphic below includes some other high-tech wishes from survey respondents.
