Assembly line work in factories is now just one of many use cases for robots. In recent years, these robotic beings have moved closer to people. Our graphic shows several examples of what they already do for us today.
Monks
A robot monk is in use at Longquan Temple, near Beijing. Xian’er is responsible for explaining the Buddhist faith to technophiles. He says prayers and can answer selected questions about the faith from temple visitors. Spiegel Online (in German) and The Guardian reported.
Priests
A robot led a wedding ceremony for the first time in Japan in 2010. I-Fairy is 1.5 meters tall and can speak and move around. Stern (in German) and The Guardian reported:
Police
AnBot, a robot developed at China's National University of Defense Technology, was designed for police patrols. He can navigate autonomously and reach speeds of up to 18 kilometers per hour. He is equipped with a remote-controlled weapon and a tear gas canister for use in emergencies. F.A.Z. (in German) and The Telegraph reported.
Waiters
Individual restaurants in China first began using robots in 2010. One example is the "Dalu" in Shandong: they serve primarily as waiters there, carrying trays through the restaurant, but can also act as receptionists and entertainers. Spiegel Online (in German) and The Telegraph reported.
Entertainers
iPal specializes in fun and games. This robot has the size of a child and was designed to be an artificial friend and playmate. He can recognize faces, sing, dance, read stories and play games. Wirtschaftswoche (in German) and Huffington Post reported.
Croupiers
Min will revolutionize the casino experience. This android is used for card games and has already performed at a gambling show in Macao. Bloomberg reported.
Surgeons
DaVinci is a surgery robot. A person serves as the operator, but uses a console to move the robotic instruments. A set of goggles displays the tissue in a magnified, three-dimensional view. Spiegel Online (in German) and The Guardian reported.
Shopping assistants
Budgee is responsible for carrying heavy shopping bags. He can carry purchases weighing up to 22 kilograms and follow his owner with a speed of more than 6 kilometers per hour. Wirtschaftswoche (in German) and Wired reported.
