Robot vacuum cleaner "Rumba" three points of success, collaboration with smart speakers [IROBOT CTO Chris Jones interview (1/2)]

Speaking of the world's most struggled home robot, the cleaning robot, Rumba.It boasts more than 20 million units worldwide.Sales in Japan are also strong.As of the end of September 2018, the cumulative shipment of the robot vacuum cleaner "Rumba" and the floor wiping robot "Brava" series exceeded 3 million units as of the end of September 2018.Now, IROBOT feels momentum.In October 2018, Irobot Japan announced a new robot vacuum cleaner, Rumba E5.This model is said to have five times the suction power on the carpet compared to the conventional 600/700 series.The operating time has evolved significantly, extending the maximum operating time due to a single charge to 90 minutes.

右がアイロボットジャパンが販売する「ルンバe5」。10月26日発売。49,880円(税抜)。左は床拭きロボット「ブラーバ」(Braava)ジェット。

Robosta's readers should pay attention to "Wi-Fi" and smart speakers.By operating the application of the smartphone, the cleaning of the rumba can be started from the go, etc., and when the cleaning is completed, the smartphone can be notified and the cleaning status can be confirmed.In addition, in cooperation with "Google Assistant" and "Amazon Alexa", you can talk by voice to operate the rumba.

スマートフォンのアプリからルンバを操作したり、情報の確認できるようになった

■ ROOMBA E5 Video Overview 30sec (video)

Rumba is equipped with a Wi-Fi function and is considering cooperation with smart home.Why is it supported by so many consumers so far?Furthermore, how will development progress in the future?Robosta interviewed IROBOT's CTO (Chief Technical Officer) Chris Jones, who came to Japan alone.

iRobot社 CTO（最高技術責任者）のクリス・ジョーンズ氏(Mr.Chris Jones, Ph.D)。WRSの講演に登壇するために来日した

Editorial department

I was a judge in the WRS final, so I couldn't listen to Jones's lectures.It is very disappointing.Can you tell me the content of the lecture on the day by summary alone?

Jones

In the WRS, in order for you to understand the work of the robot that will accelerate in the future, you can explain the process of robot thinking, and the mechanism that can automatically move efficiently in the title "The Robot era".I introduced it.He also mentioned that "Robotics Thinking" has already had a major impact on other industries, such as smartphones, autonomous driving, and logistics centers.

Editorial department

I see.Please tell us in detail about "Robotics Thinking" and the process

Jones

From a physical point of view, robots are devices with the body as hardware.Understand various things with senses (sensors), think and act.The process first "senses" the surrounding and environment.And in order to understand the surrounding environment, it is the flow of "thinking", and then responding to changes."Spatial recognition" is especially important in this "thinking".Taking the Rumba as an example, knowing what the shape of the room is, what kind of layout is, where the charging dock is, and so on.This process can also be applied to automatic driving, automation of warehouses, and smart homes.

感知する→考える→行動する→そしてまた考える、のサイクル。ルンバもこのサイクルで部屋のレイアウトがどうなっているのか、自分がどこにいるのかを考えながら行動する

Smart home is just a robot.Various sensors are placed to "sensed" the situation, and "actions" such as lighting and opening and closing keys.Depending on the information from the sensor, the part to be "think" requires the ability of "Robotics Thinking".Rumba has realized it in the house, so it can be said that it is in a very important position in realizing a smart home.

Editorial department

Where is Rumba supported by many people?

Jones

IROBOT has been involved in robots for 28 years.Based on that experience, I think there are three important points to succeed.One is "technical capabilities that realize convenient functions", and the second is "adaptability (versatile) that the functions can be fulfilled in various houses around the world".It is possible to realize a price that people accept.I believe that if these three are aligned, you can succeed as a business.Rumba has been balancing these three for 16 years since 2002.I think the reason is that it has been supported at an easy -to -reach price while providing efficiency and innovation.

Editorial department

What do you think is the technical advantage?

Jones

The field we are focusing on in the aspect of innovation is the "spatial recognition" that we mentioned earlier.It is a part that leads to the "thinking" of the cycle.Especially in the Rumba 900 series, you can now clean the map in the house, so you can clean it efficiently.We have raised three points: technical skills, adaptability, and price, but adaptability is very important.Although it is effective in some homes, it is not enough to function well in another home."Space recognition technology" creates "adaptability" that optimizes cleaning according to any environment and layout.And I think that is Rumba's strength.We also emphasize that new innovation technology is reflected in low -priced models as soon as possible and spread.The latest Rumba E5 is equipped with a premium cleaning system.From high -performance models to popular models, we try to incorporate new functions into as many products as possible.

Rumba's spatial recognition map uses visual SLAM (VSLAM) technology, has become a navigation core technology, and is a leader in VSLAM technology.The biggest challenge for visual technology with V cameras is a wide variety of lights in lighting and windows, and sometimes interrupts the field of view.Jones said that Rumba's VSLAM could be applied to rooms in various environments because he continues to learn, including lighting and light.■ ROOMBA 980 ROBOT VACUUM CLEANS A WHOLE LEVEL OF YOUR HOME (video)

Editorial department

A few months ago, I interviewed Dr. Rodney Bull.So I asked Dr. Brooks's "Sub -Sampling Architecture theory" (SA) used in Rumba? "When Dr." Hmm, can you ask that question IROBOT?(Laughs).

Jones

I see (laughs).SA is one of the important central technology for Rumba.SA is closely linked to sensing and action.For example, Rumba has a sensor that detects a step, and there is a movement that retreats if you find a step, but it is realized by registering in the library.I think one robot is a central technology for functioning as many actions.Because there is SA, you can take consistent actions as a robot.

Editorial department

We support Wi-Fi and smart speakers, but what are the benefits for consumers and IROBOT?

Jones

We have responded to smart speakers audio operation to provide convenient value to users.We support various operations methods, those who want to operate the buttons, those who want to operate from the app, those who want to operate by voice.In the case of audio, it is possible to operate such as "for the first time in cleaning", "stop cleaning", and "enter a charging dock".In the future, I would like to be able to clean only a specific room by voice.Like "Cleaning the room with a sofa".I think the sound is the most naturally interacted with the robot.

Editorial department

What can we do by linking with smart homes and audio in the future?Please tell us your expectations

Jones

In the future, it depends on which direction the user is in the future, but in terms of coordination with a smart home, you can set up a cleaning schedule and receive a cleaning completion notification with a smart speaker or other device.It can be considered.Also, if you link with a smart home security device, you may be able to automatically clean only when you are away from home.There will be various cooperation with other smart home devices.

Editorial department

Do you consider a function to learn autonomously, such as how to map and clean with Wi-Fi?

Jones

We believe that the onboard sensing technology of the vacuum cleaner will be more intelligent rather than learning by Wi-Fi or cloud.For example, what kind of furniture in the house, whether there is home appliances, and increase the level of understanding of each house will increase Rumba's response.When you say "Clean the room with a sofa", it is because Rumba is not interacting with the net, but individual Rumba is learning.It can be realized.

ロボットの学習はクラウドが主流になりつつあるが、あえてロボット単体のオンボードでの処理にこだわる理由や利点はなんだろうか。次回の第二回はその点を詳しく聞くとともに、コンパニオンロボット、ヒューマノイドロボットについてどう捉えているかも聞くとともに、今後のルンバの進化についても言及していたい。第二回につづく。> 今後のルンバの進化、会話ロボットやヒューマノイドを語る【iRobot社 CTO クリスジョーンズ氏インタビュー(2/2)】

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