--- title: "Toyota Built a Robot to Do Grandpa’s Dishes" description: "New demonstrative Toyota robots show how warehouse-like technology could help seniors keep up on housework like the dishes." date: "2020-10-01" modified: "2020-10-01" authors: - name: "Dan Robitzski" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/danrobitzski" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/toyota-robot-do-grandpas-dishes" categories: - "Robotics" - "Robots and Machines" tags: - "household robot" - "robot" - "the digest" - "toyota" --- # Toyota Built a Robot to Do Grandpa’s Dishes ![New demonstrative Toyota robots show how warehouse-like technology could help seniors keep up on housework like the dishes.]() *\Image: TRI\* ## Rosie Jetson The Toyota Research Institute (TRI) **j**ust unveiled a series of robots that are meant to help senior citizens manage housework that might otherwise give them trouble. But the robots, which are meant to be a demo of new technology rather than a commercial product, aren't exactly practical, *[The Verge ]()*[reports](). For instance, one "gantry robot" built to load a dishwasher looks like it's better suited for building cars: It's a gigantic robot arm that hangs from a set of tracks built into the ceiling. Still, while it [may not be great]() for grandpa's house, there is some sophisticated tech on display. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOHKk4Zc1fA ## Gentle Touch Gramps probably isn't that into the assembly line aesthetic, so TRI built a more humanoid robot that does the same stuff, like grasping plates and cleaning surfaces. That may sound mundane, but there's cool stuff going on behind the scenes, like air-filled robotic hands that can handle delicate objects and the ability to learn by watching humans demo the tasks, [VR controllers in hand](). "The robots that you see today are prototypes to accelerate our research, but they are not going to be turned into products any time soon," TRI vice president of robotics Max Bajracharya [told *TechRepublic*](). ## Maybe Someday While these particular robots might not find their way into our homes, future designs geared around human needs might, *The Verge* reports. "It means building technology that enables us to continue to live and to work and to relate to each other as if we were younger," TRI CEO Gill Pratt [told *IEEE Spectrum*](). **READ MORE:** [Toyota’s robot butler prototype hangs from the ceiling like a bat]() \[*The Verge*\] **More on household robots:** *[Poll Shows Americans Shun Physical Robots But Welcome Smart Home Assistants]()* ## Author Dan Robitzki is a senior reporter for Futurism, where he likes to cover AI, tech ethics, and medicine. He spends his extra time fencing and streaming games from Los Angeles, California. ### Author social links [Twitter]()