Abstract

This proposal presents a final year project in the field of robotics aimed at designing and developing a domestic robot, termed “E-Cat.” The project addresses the growing demand for smart home solutions by focusing on the creation of an intelligent and versatile robotic assistant capable of performing various household tasks autonomously. E-Cat integrates advanced robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to offer personalized assistance, security monitoring, and home automation functionalities. Through user-centric design and iterative development, the project aims to deliver a practical and user-friendly domestic robot that enhances convenience, efficiency, and quality of life for homeowners.

Introduction

With the rise of smart home automation and the increasing complexity of modern lifestyles, there is a growing need for intelligent domestic robots that can adapt to diverse household environments and assist users with everyday tasks. While existing robotic vacuum cleaners and smart home devices address specific needs, there remains untapped potential for a comprehensive robotic solution that seamlessly integrates with the home environment and caters to a wide range of tasks and preferences. This project aims to fill this gap by conceptualizing and prototyping E-Cat, a versatile domestic robot designed to streamline household management and enhance the overall living experience.

Problem

Many homeowners face challenges in managing household chores, maintaining security, and optimizing energy usage amidst busy schedules and lifestyle demands. Traditional solutions, such as manual cleaning, home security systems, and programmable devices, often lack adaptability, intelligence, and interoperability, resulting in suboptimal user experiences and inefficiencies. Moreover, the proliferation of smart home technologies has led to fragmentation and complexity, requiring users to interact with multiple devices and interfaces, thereby diminishing convenience and usability. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach that leverages robotics, AI, and IoT to create a unified and intelligent domestic robot capable of understanding user needs, adapting to dynamic environments, and seamlessly integrating with existing smart home ecosystems.

Aim

The primary aim of this project is to develop E-Cat, a versatile and intelligent domestic robot that serves as a proactive assistant, security monitor, and home automation hub. By harnessing advanced robotics capabilities, AI algorithms, and IoT connectivity, E-Cat aims to simplify household management, enhance security, and optimize energy usage, thereby improving overall quality of life for homeowners. The project seeks to deliver a user-centric and accessible robot that seamlessly integrates into diverse lifestyles and home environments, offering personalized assistance and automation features tailored to individual preferences and needs.

Objectives

1. To conduct a comprehensive analysis of user needs, household routines, and smart home technologies to inform the design and functionality of E-Cat.

2. To design and prototype the physical hardware platform of E-Cat, including locomotion mechanisms, manipulator arms, sensors, and communication modules.

3. To develop intelligent algorithms and software modules for task planning, navigation, object manipulation, voice recognition, and natural language understanding to enable autonomous operation and human-robot interaction.

4. To integrate E-Cat with existing smart home ecosystems and IoT devices, enabling seamless interoperability and centralized control of home automation functionalities.

5. To implement security and privacy measures to safeguard user data and ensure secure communication and operation of E-Cat within the home environment.

6. To evaluate the performance, usability, and acceptance of E-Cat through user trials, usability studies, and feedback sessions, iterating on design and functionality based on user input and real-world testing.

7. To document the design process, technical specifications, and lessons learned from the development of E-Cat, providing insights and recommendations for future research and commercialization efforts in domestic robotics.

Research

The proposed research will draw upon interdisciplinary expertise in robotics, AI, IoT, human-computer interaction, and design thinking. The initial phase will involve user research and needs analysis to identify key functionalities and design requirements for E-Cat. Subsequently, research will focus on hardware design and prototyping, including the selection of components, integration of sensors and actuators, and optimization of power consumption and durability for long-term operation in home environments. Software development will encompass algorithm design for perception, planning, and decision-making, as well as user interface design for intuitive interaction and control of E-Cat. Integration with smart home ecosystems will involve research into interoperability standards, communication protocols, and security mechanisms to ensure seamless integration and protection against cyber threats. The research will also explore ethical considerations, such as privacy preservation, transparency, and accountability, in the design and deployment of domestic robots like E-Cat, promoting responsible and ethical use of AI and robotics technologies in everyday life.