More work for Roomba? Domestic robots, housework and the production of privacy

Abstract

Housework is hard work. Keeping our homes clean, tidy and comfortable takes effort and every moment we spend on housework (that we would prefer to avoid) means we have less time to devote to our private lives. Over the past two decades, numerous companies have created robots designed to relieve their owners of housework. Having robots take care of housework for us, it seems, would enable us to focus our energy at home on private pursuits we find valuable, such as spending quality time with our loved ones, recreation, and relaxation. Although this line of reasoning helps explain why domestic robots are in high demand, this article will contest its validity throughout. By drawing from historical accounts of older, ostensibly labour-saving domestic technologies, it will argue that we should expect domestic robots to alter the nature of housework rather than reduce the need for it. Overall, it will argue that domestic robots change what needs to be done for their owners to enjoy their private lives.

Redesign of Automatic Vacuum Cleaner with Participatory Approach

“…Delegating household tasks we don't want to complete ourselves to a machine will give us more time to focus on activities we find valuable. With their help, we can create the necessary conditions to enjoy private life at home much more easily [14]. Therefore, it is important for researchers to further develop this vacuum cleaner automatic by adding innovations that help humans enjoy their personal lives at home.…”

Robotics: Five Senses plus One—An Overview

“…Similarly, tactile sensors in robots can detect these qualities and more. For instance, the robot vacuum cleaner (Roomba) uses sensors to detect objects through contact [7]. However, similar to sight and sound, a robot may not always know the precise content of what it picks up (a bag, a soft cake, or a hug from a friend); it just knows that there is an obstacle to be avoided or found.…”