MenteeBot, developed by the Israeli company Mentee Robotics, can accompany people shopping and help push carts. In their latest video, the robot's movements are very smooth.
In a shopping mall or store settingļ¼
After completing the above conversation, the robot doesn't move immediately, but waits for the user to walk a certain distance before approaching the cart. The video shows that the robot's recognition, grasping, and decision-making processes take some time. The robot first raises its arms, pauses for a few seconds, recognizes the handle, and then grasps it with both hands, just like a human.
While pushing the cart, MenteeBot's steps are very natural and smooth. MenteeBot's interaction with humans was also impressive. Whenever a shopper stopped to add items to their cart, it would push the cart to the appropriate location, stopping promptly and maintaining a safe distance to avoid a collision with the wheelchair. MenteeBot would also follow the cart for a certain distance before continuing to follow.
After shopping, the user turned into a cabinet (simulating a car trunk) to place their items, and MenteeBot would park the cart in a convenient location to facilitate unloading. This demonstration showcased MenteeBot's 3D vision capabilities.
Mentee Robotics' humanoid robot products come in two versions. One is designed for domestic use, performing household tasks and is capable of rapidly learning new skills through natural language and vision. The other is designed for industrial applications, such as sorting goods in logistics warehouses. It now appears that there is a new business-to-business application: for retailers.