iRobot Creations and Our Fascination with Robotics

Remember this movie? Blade Runner, 1982 by Ridley Scott with a soundtrack by Vangelis. It portrayed a "what if" scenario with genetically manufactured beings called replicants -- human engineering at work.

The replicants looked the same as humans and were used for dangerous and degrading work in off world colonies. The two minute plot is: after an uprising, replicants become illegal on Earth and special police forces called "blade runners" are sent to run down and retire those who escaped.

It's the year 2019 and we're in Los Angeles, in a neighborhood where a particularly vicious group of replicants is hiding. Our blade runner-hero du jour is semi-retired Rick Deckard -- an Harrison Ford on top of his acting game.

We are fascinated by artificial intelligence. I remember thinking that those replicants were too perfect, too beautiful, too strong, like Rutger Hauer -- and the blade runner/Ford quite imperfect by comparison. The movie themes and classic references are too many to get into here.

A few years later, 22 to be exact, we had I, Robot starring Will Smith where according to scientists, the humanoids reflected for the most part realistic robot technology. And in between I remember Robin Williams cast as the Bicentennial Man, a robot who wants to be mortal.

This may not be a story of epic proportions although it involves robots, iRobots to be exact. I met Helen Griner, the co-founder and Chairman of the Board of iRobot at the Wharton Leadership forum in 2006. iRobot is the company that brought us the Roomba. What does a vacuum cleaner have to do with our story?

The company found out that people were hacking the original robotic vacuum cleaner to make their own robots. So they came up with iRobot Create, a Roomba without parts for aspiring robot designers. Instead of getting upset at the new uses of its proprietary technology, the company went ahead and made a version of its product available for developers and educators.

I saw the brief write up in the September issue of Fast Company and remembered liking the ingenuity of Ms. Griner. iRobot is currently running a challenge that could win you $5,000.

So far there are 258 registered users in the community and some universities are buying the devices to teach students about robotics. Chances are this forum and space would have existed anyway somewhere online as there seems to be enough projects going on. Why not using the opportunity to open up the tool (literally) to developers and students? iRobot made this gutted version of the Roomba available at $130 vs. more than double the price for a fully outfitted model.

The company may end up benefiting from discoveries of new uses in addition to benefiting from being a brand that opened up the conversation with its users. Want to know what the most complicated use is? Fetching the beer from the refrigerator.

Comments

[Becky Carroll]

Valeria, thank you for the highlight on robots as a great example of allowing our customers to innovate with us. The model has been there for some time on the software side, and many techies have hacked up toys and devices as well (remember the Furby?).

Part of the reason I studied electrical engineering and computer science was my desire to build robots myself. My career ended up taking a different direction... but I am still intrigued by robots and have watched all the movies you mentioned!

Thanks again for this post.

[Greg Krauska]

Fetching beer from the refrigerator: if some smart-rats figure that one out, imagine the possibilties! Look out Maytag, Whirlpool, LG: consumers don't really like interacting with your cold storage devices; they have to!

[Greg Krauska]

By the way, Valeria, Bladerunner: all-time fave list! Thanks for the reminder.

[Christy Barber]

Hey all…I wanted to let you in on something. Since this is a blog for new ideas, I think I have just seen the newest of the new! I just found this brand new green and sustainable living concept on the market that was invented in Oregon. It’s called the NW Modern from ideabox and the man who created this home was also the brains behind the e-rated appliances, the predecessor to the Department of Energy’s Engery Star Program.

Ideabox is sustainable and green in both building materials and construction. This energy efficient pre-fab home is wrapped up in a cool, modern design that is actually affordable!

For the environmentally responsible consumer this cabin is cool and sleek. I mean we’re talking living large here in 400 sq. feet of luxury in a clever high end pre-fab home with a very intelligent design.

The research I’ve done shows that ideabox uses environmentally friendly products and construction with wireless technologies. Designed with the idea that you can live large in a small space, ideabox is attracting very posh customers. And hey…less can be more! My family is considering it for a vacation home on some land at the lake or the beach. Another thought I have is putting it on my property for when the kids come home. Once you’re in college, staying right with mom is tough. This way, they can have space but still be “home”.

Here is some more information I found on how environmentally friendly ideabox is…

· Wireless technology because power lines are SO last year.
· Standing seam metal roofing – sustainable and fire retardant
· Fiber-cement siding for low maintenance
· Galvalume corrugated metal siding for an industrial look and efficient construction.
· Bamboo flooring because it’s sleek and renewable
· Energy Star appliances and lighting for the best in energy efficiency
· Marmoleum countertops, made from renewable resources
· Fully insulated walls for maximum energy efficiency
· Energy-efficient ENERGY STAR labeled windows to regulate temperature
· Less than 2% construction waste because materials are ordered to size
· Low volatile organic compound paints for better, healthier indoor air
· Duo-flush toilets for water efficiency
· Day lighting; windows in all exterior walls and interior re-lite strategies
· Tankless water heaters to reduce electricity use

I haven’t seen anything like this before! Have any of you? If you want more information about these homes you can visit www.ideabox.us.

[Valeria Maltoni]

Becky -- when I saw the short write up in FC I thought immediately of Blade Runner, funny how we're wired. iRobot gets kudos for welcoming the community around their product.

Greg -- indeed, wouldn't that be great? I seem to recall we've been predicting cool stuff like this one for years ;-)

Christy -- thank you for the tip. There are publications dedicated to sustainable living that might be interested in learning more. This content in this post will get lost as it does not fit the topic.

[Geoff Livingston]

A true demonstration of the Wikinomics culture. Pretty cool.

[Joe Raasch]

The Nissan Xterra was created by looking at the surfing culture and seeing what those early adopters were doing to vehicles to make them fit their consumer use needs.

The same works for existing products, processes, etc. Look to the faithful, the daily user - what are they doing with your product or process that you didn't think of?

I am not talking line extensions for shelf space. I mean adding lime to cola, integrating a rubber interior on a vehicle for muddy people, adding 'single serve' portions of drink mix for those using water bottles, etc. Consumer/user-driven!

[Valeria Maltoni]

Geoff -- They have the perfect product for that!

Joe -- I'm still convinced that you are really a marketing person who does organization development work ;-) Observe behavior and take that into account for new developments.