Meet Hubot, the Personal House Robot From 1984 That Was Decades Ahead of Its Time
It feels like personal house robots are just around the corner. Tesla is working on its own robot servant, along with several other companies that are making leaps in a field that was long considered a pipe dream, thanks to advances in image recognition and AI. But what if we told you that 40 years ago, you could have purchased a home robot that could do much more than you would expect from a robot of the 1980s?
In 1984, Hubot emerged as a pioneer in the world of personal robotics, offering a range of features that seem surprisingly advanced even by today's standards. This 44-inch-tall, 110-pound robot was equipped with a fully functional computer system, voice synthesis capabilities, and even a built-in entertainment center, complete with a television and an Atari 2600. Hubot could navigate your home, avoid obstacles, and perform tasks like playing music or patrolling for security—all while being programmable through a detachable keyboard or even voice commands. Hubot was truly ahead of its time, offering a glimpse into the future of home robotics.
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Pioneering Design
Hubot was designed to be like another member o the family, standing 44 inches tall and weighing 110 pounds, making it one of the largest robots of its time.
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Advanced Navigation
Hubot could be programmed to navigate a house without bumping into walls, using a combination of sonic and infrared obstacle avoidance.
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Entertainment Hub
Hubot came equipped with a 12-inch black-and-white TV, an AM/FM stereo cassette player, and even a built-in Atari 2600, making it a portable entertainment center.
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Voice Capabilities
Hubot featured a voice synthesizer with a 1200-word vocabulary and could even respond to voice commands with an optional microphone module.
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Customizable Options
Owners could enhance Hubot with various options, including a fully articulated robotic arm, a vacuum cleaner attachment, and even a heat, smoke, and intrusion sentry package.
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Computing Power
Inside, Hubot housed a full SysCon computer with a Zilog Z80A CPU running at 4 MHz, complete with a detachable keyboard and a 5¼" floppy disk drive.
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Programmable Paths
Hubot could be preprogrammed to follow specific paths within the home, and it would remember these paths for future use with just the touch of a button.
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Battery and Power
Hubot operated on a 12V 40 Ahr sealed lead-acid battery, which provided ample power for its various functions, and it could automatically recharge using a charger locator.
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High Price Point
Hubot was a luxury item, priced at $3,495 in 1983, making it accessible primarily to tech enthusiasts and those with a significant interest in robotics.
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Pioneering Home Robotics
Hubot was ahead of its time, offering a combination of entertainment, security, and household utility in a single, programmable robot, setting the stage for future innovations in personal robotics.
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