United Robotics Group launched the Plato serving robot in Europe and the United States in November 2022. This is according to a press release from the recently formed European alliance of companies and experts. “By combining the functions of industrial and social robotics, with its optimal HRI (Human-Robot Interface), Plato inherits not only the interactivity and expressivity from the world’s well-known humanoid robots Pepper and NAO but also comes with high-level standards of stability and reliability.” (Press Release, November 2022) The reference to industrial robotics is noteworthy, as it is more of a combination of service robotics and social robotics. It is typical that transport robots (think of Relay) and security robots (think of the latest model of K5) are given social features and capabilities such as eyes, mouth, or natural speech. The alliance also uses the unusual term “cobiot” to refer to a mobile robot that assists and collaborates with humans. “The cobiot, designed in Paris and manufactured in France to function in lively, fast-moving environments like restaurants, features an autonomous mobile platform and smart indoor navigation system, destined to support the hospitality and food industry service workers with delivery experiences and advanced safety features.” (Press Release, November 2022) Plato is a competitor of BellaBot, a serving robot with a cat face from Pudu Robotics in China. This robot is in use in Poland, Slovenia, Germany, and Switzerland, for example. It will be interesting to see which model the guests in Europe will prefer.
BY OLIVER BENDEL
