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‘Definitely different’: AI robot cleaners leave the lab for China’s living rooms

From Hong Kong Free Press · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Chinese cleaning services are now pairing human workers with AI robots to reduce workloads.
  • These robots, equipped with AI and mechanical claws, assist with tasks like tidying and folding clothes.
  • The service, a collaboration between 58.com and X Square, is primarily a data-gathering exercise for companies and a novelty for customers.

In Beijing's living rooms, a new breed of cleaner is emerging: AI robots working alongside human counterparts. Housekeeper Lin Meiqiong now shares her tasks with a tall, wheeled robot, a collaboration between household help platform 58.com and robotics firm X Square. This service, costing 149 yuan (US$22) for three hours, is available in Beijing and Shenzhen, marking a step towards integrating robots into manual labor.

It’s definitely different. I used to have to do everything myself. It’s reduced the workload a bit.

— Lin MeiqiongA Beijing housekeeper describes her experience working alongside an AI robot.

The white-and-silver robot, named Quanta X1 Pro, is fitted with cameras and mechanical claws. It identifies areas needing tidying and assists with tasks like picking up rubbish and folding clothes. While the folding process can be slow, resembling a beginner's attempt, future iterations are expected to respond to voice commands and engage in conversation. Around 200 households have used the service since its March rollout.

Customers like advertising professional Tan Pei booked the service out of curiosity. While not perfect, she found the robot's ability to fold trousers "quite well" surprising. For companies like X Square, the imperfect service is a crucial data-gathering exercise. "We don’t have a robot internet yet," explains Christoforos Mavrogiannis from the University of Michigan. "It is much more informative to put the robot out there and study what happens than staying forever in the lab."

Even though it’s not that perfect, there are still parts of it that surprised me.

— Tan PeiA customer shares her thoughts on the AI robot's performance, specifically its ability to fold clothes.

This real-world application contrasts with the polished performances often seen in demonstrations, where robots showcase fluid dancing or martial arts. The current services are a "baby step" towards a future where robots handle more manual labor, but for now, they serve as a novelty and a vital source of data for developing embodied artificial intelligence.

We don’t have a robot internet yet. It is much more informative to put the robot out there and study what happens than staying forever in the lab.

— Christoforos MavrogiannisA University of Michigan expert explains the importance of real-world data collection for AI robots.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hong Kong Free Press. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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