Tau Robotics is now offering home cleaning services using humanoid robots for $30 an hour. CEO Alex Koch says current artificial intelligence technology can’t fully control a humanoid robot on its own. Instead, a person operates the robot from a central location with assistance from AI. Not everyone is convinced the technology is ready for widespread use. Ken Goldberg, a UC Berkeley engineering professor with 40 years of experience in the field, expressed skepticism about the capabilities of humanoid robots in home cleaning, saying he thinks it’s too early. "I would be very surprised if these could do anything close to a useful job of cleaning a house,” said Goldberg. Koch acknowledged the limitations of the technology but said the robots are already capable of handling some household chores, including vacuuming and wiping the kitchen counter. Despite questions about the technology's current capabilities, both the promise and challenges of humanoid robotics remain evident. The long-term goal is a humanoid robot capable of cleaning an entire home at a low cost, potentially making home cleaning services more accessible.
