Robots in our homes? A new friendly humanoid might change your mind.
In a Manhattan office, a revolutionary robot named Sprout is turning heads. With its rectangular head nodding and wiper-like eyebrows, it's a far cry from the sleek and intimidating humanoids we've seen in Tesla's designs. Sprout's charm lies in its approachable nature, standing at a child-friendly height of 3.5 feet and adorned with a soft, sage-green foam exterior.
Fauna Robotics, a stealth startup, has been quietly working on Sprout for two years, and its public debut aims to revolutionize the robot industry. The goal? To create robots that are not only functional but also friendly and suitable for homes, schools, and social spaces.
Sprout is a unique creation, especially in the United States, where AI and robot engineering have made significant strides. Its expressive features and blinking lights might remind you of beloved sci-fi characters like Star Wars droids and their endearingly clunky counterparts from animation and literature.
"We draw inspiration from the sci-fi we grew up with," says Rob Cochran, Fauna Robotics' CEO. While some companies look to 'Westworld' or 'Terminator', we take cues from WALL-E, Baymax, and Rosie Jetson."
The typical path for humanoid robots is to start in warehouses or factories, but Fauna has a different vision. They aim to skip the industrial phase and go straight to a new audience: robot enthusiasts and developers. Similar to the early days of personal computers and smartphones, Sprout is more than just a robot; it's a software developer platform with mechanical complexity, priced at $50,000.
This price tag is comparable to China's Unitree, which has gained popularity in robotics events. However, some buyers have concerns about Chinese hardware due to tariffs and security issues.
Fauna is making waves as the first American company to actively ship robots as a developer platform. Hand-delivering the first models, they've already secured clients like Disney and Boston Dynamics.
"It's an out-of-the-box experience," says Marc Theermann, Boston Dynamics' CSO. "You can immediately see the potential for robots in homes." Sprout's capabilities include dancing, grabbing objects, and navigating Fauna's headquarters with ease.
Sprout's creators, Cochran and Josh Merel, demonstrated its abilities to the Associated Press. The robot can navigate uneven terrain, avoid obstacles, and recover from near-falls, all while being controlled via a game controller, phone app, or VR headset. It's designed to be cute and non-threatening, a buddy rather than a creepy imitation of humans.
Starting a robot company, especially for personal robots, is challenging. iRobot, the maker of Roomba vacuums, is a rare success story, but many others, like Anki and Jibo, have struggled. Cochran believes the technology is now at a tipping point, allowing for the creation of engaging and mobile companions.
Merel, an expert in robot locomotion, has a background in AI learning techniques for robots, a controversial but increasingly common approach. His work, published in Nature, includes an AI-powered virtual rat study. Cochran and Merel's paths crossed at CTRL-labs, a neurotech company acquired by Facebook, before they reunited to found Fauna.
The founders agree that the intimidating look of many robot prototypes won't fly in intimate human spaces. They aim for a friendlier design, inspired by the abstract aesthetics of iconic Star Wars robots.
Anthony Moschella, who designed Peloton's exercise equipment, joined the team with a vision: "Let's create robots people want to be around. It's surprising how many robotics companies overlook the cultural context of human-robot interaction."
Sprout's future is in the hands of developers, but it's already won over some important critics. Cochran's home video shows his 2-year-old twins jumping with joy as Sprout greets them, a heartwarming testament to the robot's appeal.
