Labrador Systems Builds AMRs for Home Assistance
Many people have grown used to ignoring the "home robots" that get promoted every year at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). This year is much the same, except for two new robots from California startup Labrador Systems.
Labrador, founded in 2017 by robotics veterans Mike Dooley and Nikolai Romanov, specializes in a new class of robots: autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for the home. Anyone can use the Retriever and Caddy robots, but the company's target customers are people with physical disabilities, including older adults.
Retriever and Caddy are designed to move items around the home, much like the AMRs we know and love in healthcare, logistics and manufacturing. Mike Dooley said: "These robots are an extra pair of hands to hold a laundry basket for someone who has had a stroke or rheumatoid arthritis."
Both robots have a maximum payload of 11 kg and can move autonomously around the home. Retriever can adjust its height between 63.5 and 96.5 cm. It can also "pull" specially designed trays holding up to 4.5 kg from countertops and tables. The entry-level Caddy operates at a fixed height of 76 cm and cannot pull trays.
Dooley gave several examples of where the robot would be useful: "If a caregiver or family member is away for the day, they can place medication on a tray that the robot can bring to the person in the morning."
The company raised an additional $3.1 million in seed funding. Amazon Alexa Fund and iRobot Ventures co-led the round, SOSV returned, and new investors including Grep VC joined. Since its founding, Labrador has raised about $5.1 million.
“This is the first time we've seen this class of robot designed for the home. Until now, this level of functionality has been limited to warehouses and other commercial environments. We are impressed by how this team enables robotics and navigation systems to run on inexpensive consumer electronics, to provide greater independence for millions of people”
Dooley said the robots' navigation system combines augmented reality algorithms, stereo vision and other sensors. Maps are customized for each home based on the user's preferences. The system uses a set of "bus stops" (or "waypoints") to tell the robot where to go, for example to the "kitchen" or the "bedroom." The robots can be controlled in several ways, including a smartphone or tablet, a smart speaker such as Amazon Alexa, a wireless Bluetooth button (available as an accessory), or according to a preset schedule.
Dooley said the number of "bus stops" that can be set is practically unlimited. However, the company will most likely set a limit to keep the user interface clean. The key to autonomous navigation is that it works at the edge.
“Autonomous navigation functions run on the robot's onboard computers, which means the robot does not need to connect externally to move around the home once it has been fully trained. We can build a resilient system if the power goes out. If you have Bluetooth, you can still interact with the robot. This matters for privacy too. We don't need to stream video from the robot”
The robots are equipped with several obstacle detection sensors and other safety features, including Intel RealSense. Depth sensors scan the floor around the robot as well as its main path forward. Secondary sensors monitor physical contact with objects on any side of the robot. Thanks to the adjustable height, the robots also monitor loads on both upper and lower surfaces. All models will also be equipped with cliff sensors to detect and prevent steps and falls.
Both robots are planned to enter full production by the second half of 2023. Both Caddy and Retriever will initially be offered on a subscription model.
The company said early-bird pricing for Caddy starts at $1,500 upfront and $99 per month for 36 months. Early-bird pricing for Retriever is slightly higher, with an upfront payment of $1,500 and $149 per month for 36 months.
Labrador expects medical insurers to initially treat the robots as out-of-pocket expenses. However, the company said it is currently working with organizations to build arguments for covering various situations.
Dooley said the company will offer commercial versions of the robots for settings such as nursing homes or facilities caring for people with disabilities. The robots will have the same core functions but with different finishes, a different battery and other communication/backup systems.
According to the founders, Labrador conducted its first home tests in February 2021. Because of COVID-19, the company was able to operate the robots remotely to map homes and train them on users' "bus stops."
“Most beta tests lasted 5 to 8 weeks. We left the robots there for a long enough period that it became a habit. Robots for the elderly are usually humanoid and large. These products are secondary: we serve people, we are their helpers”
If you work in robotics, you have surely seen plenty of demos of robots serving beer. Labrador made a similar demonstration: the company added two motors to a standard refrigerator. It then used a Retriever robot to open the fridge, take out a tray of food and drinks, and carry it to another location.
Dooley said the company will offer clients such a modified setup in the future. The co-founder said: "Finally, someone has built a robot that can actually bring you a cold beer. That is not the mission here, but people hope for it. We are doing this in a pragmatic way, to bring them food or medication."
