If FaceTime and Siri already make you feel like you've been transported into a Jetsons episode or a scene from Blade Runner, buckle up. Robot makers are getting ready to mix the human experience with artificial intelligence in ways that promise a colorful and revolutionary ride, and in the not-so-distant future, automated helpers are set to change how we approach camaraderie, cat litter and calamari, and just about everything in between.
In fact, you may see an adroit talking cyborg unwrapped as a birthday present in the coming months. Jibo, which has been beta-buzzy for a couple of years now, is readying for a fall release. The robot enables video calls just like an iPhone, but its head swivels on an axis to track people's movements so they can, for example, maneuver around the kitchen while preparing dinner and keeping eye contact with the person on the other line. Jibo will also advise you on which ingredients to put in that dish you're cooking. What's more, it is wired to independently take photos and shoot video during parties—with the ability to be programmed to, say, snap pics of guests only when they're smiling. Dubbed a "social robot," the Jibo aims to redefine a range of digital utilities, including e-commerce, selfies and family life, according to the robot's creators (including Jibo founder Cynthia Breazeal, featured in Adweek's Creative 100 as one of the top digital innovators of 2015).
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