ASUS chairman Jonney Shih took to stage to announce one thing slightly totally different, if utterly on development: a house robotic. “Our ambition is to allow robotic computing for each family,” he stated earlier than revealing ZenBo the house robotic. With the objectives of “help, leisure and companionship,” it is notably aimed toward older individuals. Nevertheless, probably the most fascinating function right here is the promise that the robotic will join with conventional and sensible house units: you’ll examine who’s on the door from a related digital camera, after which distant-unlock the door from the robotic’s, er, face. Zenbo will have the ability to hook up with lights, TVs, air conditioners — if it talks the best languages.

The robotic can roam round independently, and take instructions by voice command. ZenBo’s face additionally acts as a touchpad interface: you’ll place video calls, store on-line, in addition to stream video content material, when it isn’t blushing.

It is nonetheless early days, however ASUS says ZenBo will supply spoken reminders to its house owners, like physician appointment and drugs cues. It’s going to additionally have the ability to ship emergency messages to relations if somebody falls down — you possibly can even take management of the robotic and verify the state of affairs from ZenBo’s inbuilt digital camera. For teenagers, the robotic will be capable of (awkwardly, robotically) dance alongside to music in addition to learn tales aloud from its constructed-in library. Naturally, ASUS is selling its Zenbo developer program, with entry to the bot’s SDK and extra info to assist delivery apps — one thing essential if the robotic is to be a hit.

It is sure to be in comparison with Softbank’s Pepper house robotic, and there is a few similarities, but when it could study one main lesson from its taller Japanese rival, it is that it wants a purpose to exist, a cause to purchase. It might be these sensible residence tips that make or break Zenbo.