How will the robot vacuum cleaner evolve 20 years later? I asked a robot professional!

―― Speaking of the robot vacuum cleaner to be released, Dyson's first robot vacuum cleaner, Dyson 360EYE.Unfortunately, the release date of this spring has undecided the release date.

Furuta Dyson 360EYE is a camera version of a laser SLAM that uses the technology of camera SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping at the same time).It has a fisheye lens, and it looks around 360 degrees around and moves while making a rough map.

――Is it easier to recognize objects than a laser with a camera?

This is the first robot vacuum cleaner that moves with the Furuta Camera SLAM, so how to move is unknown, and you can't say anything unless you move it.However, it is a common problem with robot shops that use cameras, but the camera sensor has a weak point.I need light because it is a camera.It doesn't look dark, and it can't be used if the room is dark.In short, depending on the situation, the sensor may not work at all.

――However, if it is now announced, Dyson 360EYE is the main sensor of the camera.

Furuta That's right.For example, I don't use infrared sensors to return to home base, but look at the camera.That's why the home base (charging dock) contains a lattice -like pattern like a large QR code.The technique of returning to home base using this camera is the same as AIBO, a pet robot that Sony sold in the past.Because it depends on the light, it was not very practical.With a pet -type robot, sometimes you don't even recognize your husband, "I'm in a bad mood today," and you can't go back to the home base and get lost, so you can do it.That's why frequent mistakes are not allowed.

――So what are the advantages of the camera sensor?

One of Furuta is cheaper than a laser sensor.In order to recognize the face and expression of each other, there is almost no thing other than the camera.It's dangerous to use a laser sensor.

――But expression recognition is not necessary for robot vacuum cleaners.

Furuta is very interested in Dyson's camera SLAM.Considering the common sense so far, it is a sensor that is not very suitable.How do you deal with white toobi when the room is dark or when the floor of the room is shining on a strong west day?It's important to see why you make up for it.But if you think about it normally, it's difficult to rely on the camera.