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Dyson Invests £5 Million To Create 'Intelligent Domestic Robots'

Posted by samzenpus on from the all-the-better-to-clean-you-with dept.

DavidGilbert99 writes "James Dyson only releases products he is 100% happy with, which is why, despite nearly a decade of research in the area, his company has yet to release a robotic vacuum cleaner. To help drive research forward, he will invest £5 million in a joint research lab at Imperial College London which will focus on 'vision systems,' which Dyson hopes will help create the next generation of 'intelligent domestic robots.'" Last week Dyson proposed that the UK government offer monetary incentives to students with an interest and aptitude in science.

85 of 125 comments (clear)

  1. Do not want. by Shinu · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    User here on both desktop and Android tablet. Will write about the tablet experience, as that is the medium through which I browse Slashdot more often lately.

    My stock 1st gen JB Nexus 7 and CM11 HTC Sensation choke when browsing the beta. I'm absolutely baffled by reports that the beta (and the current modern, non-classic site) run smoothly on moderately aged hardware. The experience is in no way seamless; it is utterly painful.

    First, there is a delay between my trying to scroll down/up and the scroll actually occurring (said delay is completely nonexistent on the classic site on both devices).

    Second, with the dynamic photo loading (why the hell are there photos now?) I hate having my webpage constantly bouncing around up and down when I'm trying to navigate (especially painful when I'm trying to click a link, only for the device to "catch up" and finish fully rendering the page after I have already made the move for my finger to click on the link but before the finger actually touches the screen, causing me to click a different link than intended). This, compounded with the first issue above, take Slashdot well outside the realm of usability. I don't know for sure, but from reading around, this second issue seems to be due to the Javascript, which seemingly almost as many users complaining about are claiming is NOT a problem. What???

    My beta experience is characterized by my having to wait an entire 3 seconds (sometimes 4) inbetween EVERY INDIVIDUAL SWIPE to navigate (okay, I don't have to wait quite that long on my N7). Before, I could swipe as fast as my ninja fingers pleased; now, the site REGISTERS MY SWIPES AS CLICKS if I don't wait out the dynamic loading. Sure, the incremental render finishes a lot sooner than that, but then I'm just gambling on whether or not I'm going to run into the usability issues I've just mentioned above if I don't wait out those 3 seconds.

    Lastly,

    This is a goddamn beaut.
    http://imgur.com/HF7H42v

    I however understand that maybe in somebody's bizarro world, this would be acceptable (although that person would be absolutely nuts), but how the fuck does a development TEAM allow this to happen?
    http://imgur.com/cXt2BQr

    I was at an absolute loss for words thinking about this for a few minutes, until what many people here have been droning on about and parroting had finally clicked for me after having to sit through people bitching about the same thing for months. All this time I thought people had been beating a dead horse over a relatively insignificant complaint compared to everything else that was wrong.

    It is NOT that they (devs & suits) think the comment system is a less-important, lower-priority aspect of Slashdot; it is that they are UTTERLY IGNORING it. A perception of its inconsequence by the developers sounds plausible, but it looks glaringly more likely that the comment system probably isn't even crossing their minds in the first place. Thus, they are hopelessly blind to the essence of Slashdot. I never realized this, because I couldn't even make it past tolerating the site navigation issues outlined in the first half of my post on my many attempts to test drive the beta until I decided now to actually try to force myself to use it amidst all this "overblown" Slashcott fuss. Maybe my experiences had something to do with this? But then again, people HAVE been bitching about the comments since day one. Skeptically and with a genuine dose of doubt, I had asked myself "it couldn't be THAT bad, much less UNUSABLE, could it?"

    bUCKfETA.

    1. Re:Do not want. by Soulskill · · Score: 3, Informative

      We're aware of how poorly nested comments render on small screen widths. It's one of the things we have to fix.

      FWIW, we do have a dedicated mobile version, and cases like this are one of the reasons the classic site is still around, and will be around for a long time yet.

      I'm sorry it's not usable on your devices yet, but we're working to finish it, and definitely not ignoring those use-cases.

    2. Re:Do not want. by CnlPepper · · Score: 1

      Was it really worth breaking your screen over though? :)

    3. Re:Do not want. by SleazyRidr · · Score: 1

      My first thought was that he was blaming beta for breaking his screen. Kinda like the earlier story about Dell insisting that VLC broke the speakers.

      --
      Is 1563649 a prime number?
  2. dyson by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Make sure the "domestic" robots wear nice fembot maid gear and have "plenty of suction".

    They'll go over big in Japan.

    1. Re:dyson by outlander · · Score: 1

      They have to have better aesthetic values than Rosie on the Jetsons.....

      --
      "Truth is what works" -- William James "It works!!" -- o-dark-AM comment
  3. Re:"offer monetary incentives to students" by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 1

    can't do that we want them to be locked down by loans

  4. This is the problem with engineering these days by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Working hard to solve non-existent problems that any reasonable human being doesn't give two craps about. Unless you live in a 60,000 sq. ft. mansion, in which case you already have "vision system vacuum cleaners": they're called indentured illegal immigrants.

    In the meantime, the rest of use in our 600 sq. ft. urban condos made of ersatz materials can easily vacuum the damn place ourselves in 5 minutes. It's not a big deal, it's not a problem that urgently needs solving.

    1. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by Viol8 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It technology didn't try and solve problems that don't really exist then most of us would be out of a job :o)

      Seriously - in a western society where everyone is well fed and healthy and has access to 24/7 entertainment there is nothing vital that (non health related) technology or science can add to our existence - its all toys, gadgets and gizmos that are a brief amusement until they get tossed in landfill and then we all go out and buy the next piece of crap.

      Welcome to the consumerism - the 21st century solution to the phony requirement of constant economic "growth".

    2. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by JaredOfEuropa · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I can vacuum myself but I'd prefer a robot if it did a good job. In my old apartment, a Roomba did a decent job of keeping the place free of cat hairs etc; the only problem was that its battery was crap (even the new Roombas still use NiMH batteries). It's nice to come home to a clean house instead of having to vacuum after a day of work.

      I wonder what Dyson will come up with this time. He's not that good at inventing new stuff; none of his flagship products (the cyclone vacuum, the Air Blade dryer, the bladeless fan) were invented by him. But he is good at packaging them into usable products of decent quality.

      --
      If construction was anything like programming, an incorrectly fitted lock would bring down the entire building...
    3. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by rmstar · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Seriously - in a western society where everyone is well fed and healthy and has access to 24/7 entertainment there is nothing vital that (non health related) technology or science can add to our existence - its all toys, gadgets and gizmos that are a brief amusement until they get tossed in landfill and then we all go out and buy the next piece of crap.

      That's not entirely true. There is a lot of cancer to be cured, and cured painlessly. Having a longer period of livable life would be very desirable, which includes delaying decrepitude as well as making old age more livable. There is a lot of sientific advance possible and desirable in those areas.

      A piece of robot kit able to navigate a typical human dwelling would be a fantastic achievement upon which a lot could be built, not just vacuum cleaners. That said, I don't believe that you can make breakthroughs happen just by sprinkling money on scientists, especially a lump sum like this 5 million pounds.

    4. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by GodfatherofSoul · · Score: 2

      Ah, one of those "faster horse" types, I see...

      --
      I swear to God...I swear to God! That is NOT how you treat your human!
    5. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by BasilBrush · · Score: 1

      So there's only two types of home? 60,000 sq. ft. mansion, and 600 sq. ft. urban condos.

      600 sq. ft. urban condos made of ersatz materials can easily vacuum the damn place ourselves in 5 minutes

      2 sq. foot per second? Including getting around all the furniture? I don't think so. Heck, getting the vac out, uncoiling the wire, moving the wire to various sockets, and then coiling it and putting the vac away is going to take half of your 5 minutes.

      Roomba have proved that the day to day vacuuming is more easily, and more thoroughly done by a robot. They are reasonably popular.

      (I say more thoroughly done because they go under the sofa and table, which wouldn't get done in a day to day manual vac.)

      Dyson's problem is that they must have a cyclone, as that is their thing. And that's too big to go many places the Roomba goes. And it's more expensive. So the only way they are going to be successful is if they make their robotic vac better in other ways. Hence they want one that intelligently plans it's route, rather than wanders aimlessly.

    6. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by serviscope_minor · · Score: 2

      Seriously?

      I mean I'm sure I'll hate beta as much as the next old git (I've not tried it), but this it taking ludditism to a whole new level on a tech site. Seriously they're building robots. ROBOTS.

      With AI. Real AI that solves a REALLY FUCKING HARD problem.

      And you're all dismissing it as consumerist crap.

      Please return your nerd card. It has been revoked.

      --
      SJW n. One who posts facts.
    7. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1
      Oh my god. Robots. They're building robots. Woopeee. You mean a cart with a vacuum cleaner and some RC toy grade wheels and motors? Yes, they're solving a REALLY HARD problem. But for what purpose?

      And who cares? My brain and eyes and arms ALREADY solve this REALLY HARD problem, shouldn't engineering focus on actual problems?

    8. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by Viol8 · · Score: 1

      "There is a lot of cancer to be cured, and cured painlessly"

      Which part of "non health related" didn't you understand?

      "A piece of robot kit able to navigate a typical human dwelling would be a fantastic achievement upon which a lot could be built, not just vacuum cleaners"

      Like what? Something to care for the elderly? Newflash - we already have them - they're called nurses.

      The point of machines is to do things we *can't* do , such as run at 70 mph or fly at 30K feet or add up a million numbers in a nanosecond. But what is the point in a machine that simply replaces something a humans already do almost perfectly?

    9. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by BasilBrush · · Score: 3, Insightful

      He's not that good at inventing new stuff; none of his flagship products (the cyclone vacuum, the Air Blade dryer, the bladeless fan) were invented by him.

      Oh FFS, why are slashdotters so deluded about what inventions are and what inventors do. No product inventor creates something from first principles. They all use existing technology. It's how that technology is applied to something new that makes an invention.

      Dyson made the first bagless cyclone vac. If you think that's not true, you have to explain why the other vac companies had to wait for the expiration of Dyson't patents before they could make their competitor bagless cyclone vacs.

      Making the first bagless cyclone vac is invention. Regardless of the fact that elements of it existed in other devices before.

    10. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by Alioth · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Humans wash dishes pretty damned well, but dishwashers are pretty popular despite this. Labour saving devices and appliances to do things we can do, but find boring, are pretty popular things.

      And yes - something to help care for the elderly. We have nurses but they are so expensive that only the rich can afford to have them to care for them in their own home. A robot that can help out with various tasks can mean an elderly person of normal means can retain their independence for a bit longer at their own home, instead of being sent to an expensive nursing home where in many cases they get treated like dirt.

      The point of machines is not just to do things we can't do, but to do things we don't like doing, or is expensive for a human to do.

      --
      Oolite: Elite-like game. For Mac, Linux and Windows
    11. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by cellocgw · · Score: 2

      But what is the point in a machine that simply replaces something a humans already do almost perfectly

      You ever hear of a thing called an "assembly line" ? Rather a lot of people are in fact *happy* to retrain for a job which does NOT entail repeating a boring action 500 times a day, week upon week, year after year.

      Or at the other extreme: people can fly a plane almost perfectly. Now explain why there shouldn't be autopilots.

      --
      https://app.box.com/WitthoftResume Code: https://github.com/cellocgw
    12. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      But what is the point in a machine that simply replaces something a humans already do almost perfectly?

      Because most humans don't *want* to do it perfectly? I could gather wood for a fire to cook my turkey for dinner, but whythefuck would I do that, when I can flick on the stove and have it do the work for me? You just hand-waved about 90% of the western world. How about one simple example: What is the point in a machine that simply replaces floor traders that can buy and sell on the exchange almost perfectly?

    13. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by codeButcher · · Score: 1

      Working hard to solve non-existent problems that any reasonable human being doesn't give two craps about. Unless you live in a 60,000 sq. ft. mansion, in which case you already have "vision system vacuum cleaners": they're called indentured illegal immigrants.

      In the meantime, the rest of use in our 600 sq. ft. urban condos made of ersatz materials can easily vacuum the damn place ourselves in 5 minutes. It's not a big deal, it's not a problem that urgently needs solving.

      I live in a roughly 1600 sq ft (150 sq m) house. Unfortunately, alone, at this point (I have reasons to stay for the time being). This is not in a North American or European locale, so your mileage may vary.

      Cleaning the place is a b***tch and takes most of a weekend. Therefore, I do not do it too regularly, only when the dust is not ignorable any longer :-(.

      Hiring the local version of the III has been an option. Then again, in my locale, crime seems to be a slightly greater problem than in the US/EU, and my perception is that an III can in some cases increase this risk - it will be mostly an unknown person being hired, and since I am away during working hours will need full access on his/her own.

      On the other hand, having a simple function like having floors swept/vacuumed once or twice a week will greatly diminish the time needed for cleaning - a quick mopping will be quite adequate and could be done some weekday evening.

      Due to these considerations I have been keen on cleaning robots since way back. The first model I owned was the Kärcher RC3000 (joint development by Kärcher and Siemens). It was a fairly robust machine with low intelligence (basically random pattern cleaning with obstacle/stair detection). It did the job admirably well. The downside was the steep price of the damn thing, and when something went wrong on the motherboard, I did not have it repaired. A few years back I then got a Samsung model for much cheaper. It was also more sophisticated, with a room mapping (ceiling-pointing) camera and whatnot. Despite more intelligent functions, it didn't clean as well. It was also quite flimsy and didn't outlast the warranty period. I am still looking for a model that will be my third....

      I don't care much about all the AI progress. The random pattern-thing works quite well. What manufacturers can however improve on is:

      1. Edge and corner cleaning (walls and around furniture legs)
      2. Lower height to clean under furniture
      3. And if it could clean stairs, that would be great.
      --
      Free, as in your money being freed from the confines of your account.
    14. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by locopuyo · · Score: 1

      There are places where the quality of life doesn't involve Itty-bitty living space.

      --
      The Official Site of 1337 Pwnage
    15. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by CastrTroy · · Score: 4, Insightful

      As somebody with Kids, I can tell you why this doesn't work. Because half the trouble with vacuuming is cleaning up all the stuff that you don't want vacuumed up in the first place. Sure you could just suck up all the Lego bricks in the vacuum, but something going to clog it, and then it won't be picking up anything. That, and the kids will start crying. This is the same problem that I have with dishwashers. By the time you sufficiently rinsed the dishes that you're assured that the dishwasher won't leave any food on the dish which will be there forever after it's baked on by the dry cycle, you might as well have washed the dishes by hand.

      --

      Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
    16. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by master_kaos · · Score: 1

      I live in a 1500 sqft home and vacuuming takes 10 minutes (note this is upstairs AND downstairs). Upstairs I only need to vacuum approx every 3weeks . Downstairs gets vacuumed twice a week that takes about 4 minutes each time.

    17. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by master_kaos · · Score: 1

      I am somewhat similar situation 1500 sqft house that I live on my own. Sure cleaning the entire house takes a good portion of the day (specially when I have a messy pet) but vacuuming 1500 sqft doesn't take much longer than 10 minutes.. I assume that since you are by yourself in a 1500 sqft then like me, you probably don't use a couple of your rooms. (I have 3 empty rooms I do not use), so I only vacuum them once a month maybe even longer since not much dust gets in them. Main floor I vacuum the most at twice a week which takes 3 minutes... honestly takes longer to get the vacuum out and deal with the cord then to actually vacuum the floor.

      I would be 100% for a cleaning robot that will clean everything (walls, vacuum, counters, etc, aka a robotic cleaning maid), but just a vacuuming robot? No thanks I can do that myself quickly.

    18. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by SleazyRidr · · Score: 1

      https://xkcd.com/1232/

      s/Exploring other planets/building cool stuff/

      --
      Is 1563649 a prime number?
    19. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by SleazyRidr · · Score: 2

      He's the Steve Jobs of the vacuum world. He takes what other people have done and packages them up nicely enough for an insanely popular consumer product. Sure, it's not the ugly guy in his garage kind of innovation that a lot of people around here would like to imitate, but it's the kind of innovation that pushes the world forward.

      --
      Is 1563649 a prime number?
    20. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by wiredlogic · · Score: 2

      Dyson made the first bagless cyclone vac.

      No he didn't. Cyclonic separators are nearly 100 years old. They have been commonly used for industrial vacuums and central vacs before Dyson came around. He may have some patents on implementation variations but the real reason why the competition waited is because the home appliance industry is slow to adapt to "new" technologies if they can continue to sell old products for a profit. They aren't accustomed to 6-month product cycles. Witness how long it took for electronic controls to replace mechanical timers on consumer washers and dryers.

      --
      I am becoming gerund, destroyer of verbs.
    21. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by BasilBrush · · Score: 1

      They have been commonly used for industrial vacuums and central vacs before Dyson came around.

      I'm aware of those and neither is what we're talking about here.

      He may have some patents on implementation variations but the real reason why the competition waited is because the home appliance industry is slow to adapt to "new" technologies if they can continue to sell old products for a profit.

      Completely wrong. Companies like Hoover and Electrolux were losing massive market share to Dyson, and as soon as Dyson's patents expired, they released their own competitors.

    22. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by Agent0013 · · Score: 2

      I don't know about him being the Steve Jobs of vacuums. Maybe he took some principles that were in use previously, but he did have to refine them quite a bit to get them to work in the vacuum. The original cyclone filter was used to remove sawdust from the air in lumber mills. He had to make thousands of versions over several decades before he got a vacuum that worked. That sounds a little more involved that simply taking something that's already been done and put it into a vacuum.

      --

      -- ssoorrrryy,, dduupplleexx sswwiittcchh oonn.. -Quote found on actual fortune cookie.
    23. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by BasilBrush · · Score: 1

      Because half the trouble with vacuuming is cleaning up all the stuff that you don't want vacuumed up in the first place.

      You have to do that either way. But you might find the kids are keener to tidy up for the robot than for you.

      Sure you could just suck up all the Lego bricks in the vacuum, but something going to clog it, and then it won't be picking up anything.

      With the Roomba, that does happen. And the brick either doesn't get swept up, gets into the hopper, or jams the brush, and so stops the Roomba, awaiting your attention. At worst the vaccing won't be completed that day, and will get done tomorrow instead.

      Either way, no big deal.

      This is the same problem that I have with dishwashers. By the time you sufficiently rinsed the dishes that you're assured that the dishwasher won't leave any food on the dish which will be there forever after it's baked on by the dry cycle, you might as well have washed the dishes by hand.

      Either you have OCD, or a bad dishwasher.

    24. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      Actually Dyson simple scaled down the bagless cyclonic vacuum which was sitting in his own workshop and put it in wheels. Invention is a word applied only due to the technicality that his existing system wasn't mobile, that he received a patent for it however is ludicrous. Same with his attempts to patent the bladeless fan, you know the one invented by Toshiba in the 80s. He submitted the application several times before getting a parent awarded based on a slight change in outlet diameter. This man is NOT an inventor.

    25. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by master_kaos · · Score: 1

      Ok, but not all 1500sqft need to be vacuumed. i.e kitchen, dining room and bathrooms that I sweep instead of vacuum. I don't vacuum under furniture every week either, maybe only once a month which then yes it does take a bit longer, maybe double amount of time.

    26. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by Barsteward · · Score: 1

      sounds like you want to join the Amish.....

      --
      "The hands that help are better far than lips that pray." - Robert Ingersoll (1833-1899)
    27. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by Barsteward · · Score: 1

      Dyson is an engineer, not an inventor. If you check his website he has a job title of "Chief Engineer"

      --
      "The hands that help are better far than lips that pray." - Robert Ingersoll (1833-1899)
    28. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by Barsteward · · Score: 1

      "This man is NOT an inventor." - Correct. Dyson is an engineer, not an inventor. If you check his website he has a job title of "Chief Engineer"

      --
      "The hands that help are better far than lips that pray." - Robert Ingersoll (1833-1899)
    29. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by BasilBrush · · Score: 1

      Thank you for demonstrating the exact slashdotter misconception of invention that I wrote about.

      As I said no one invents from scratch. Everything has precursors. But the Dyson baglass cyclone vac is not a simple scale down and adding or wheels as you claim. And the patentable part of the "bladeless" fan is not a matter of outlet diameter, but a new physics principle that was not used in the Toshiba fan.

    30. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      a) False by Dyson's own admission he scaled down the dust separation system next to his workbench. The only reason it took him 100 goes at it is because he didn't understand the dyanimcs involved, shame since cyclonic separation has been used for at least 100 years.

      b) False by firstly by the fact his US patent is flat out not accepted in several countries, and that the patent was rejected by the IPO as not being original. But hey I don't need to convince you of this, you just need to look at the patents yourself. Take note of this side by side image. On the left Dyson's patent, on the right, a Toshiba patent from 30 years earlier. The description of his first patent application to the IPO described something identical to the Toshiba fan, the second submission on the other hand was completely different. Talk about desperate to patent an existing design.

      But hey he has other inventions too, like the AirBlade .... no Mitsubishi had one of those 15 years earlier. Just because it wasn't on the market in the USA doesn't mean Dyson invented it. I can't wait for him to claim he invented the robotic vacuum too.

    31. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by BasilBrush · · Score: 1

      You're talking like a hater. Past experience shows it's a waste of time engaging. I've made the point. You are welcome to your opinion regardless of the fact you are wrong.

    32. Re:This is the problem with engineering these days by hobarrera · · Score: 1

      We can vacuum ourselves, but don't want to. I can also grow my own vegetables, but I opt not to do so either.

  5. I'm not covinced by Dyson by Viol8 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    He had one big hit with a bagless vacuum cleaner and he's been dining out on that every since. I'm not convinced he's really the man to usher in the next generation of AI.

    Aside from that, from what I've read in interviews he really has next to know knowledge of how normal people think or act since he seems to be of the opinion that everyone will be blissfully happy being put out of work by a robot.

    Yes , I know , luddites etc , but you can't always generate new jobs to replace old ones that have succummed to tech - at some point you're going to put a lot of people out of a job and then what?
    And don't someone come up with the BS about everyone will sit around in blissful nirvana writing poetry or music or coding or go kayaking all day. It ain't going to happen.

    1. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      He had one big hit with a bagless vacuum cleaner and he's been dining out on that every since. I'm not convinced he's really the man to usher in the next generation of AI.

      Hey now, give him time. He'll need a lot more vacuum cleaner money to start dismantling the outer planets to build his sphere.

    2. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by guru42101 · · Score: 1

      The fans work surprisingly well. I have one that I use to direct the heat from the fireplace to other parts of the house.

    3. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by GodfatherofSoul · · Score: 4, Interesting

      That "big hit" was pretty damned big, and he's had a lot of other cool inventions. They might not be so visible to you if you haven't looked up his product line. Dyson also came up with a better hand-dryer and he's even topped it with one with the hand-dryer AT the faucet. I really like the way the guy thinks. He has the ability to drop all preconceived notions about technology and start from scratch.

      --
      I swear to God...I swear to God! That is NOT how you treat your human!
    4. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by ranton · · Score: 3, Interesting

      " Dyson also came up with a better hand-dryer and he's even topped it with one with the hand-dryer AT the faucet"

      Ah , of course! *Obviously* anyone who comes up with a new dryer and connects it to the plumbing is the #1 go-to man to develop bleeding edge AI! Watch out all those teams at MIT and Harvard and elsewhere who've been working on this problem for decades - our Jim will have it sorted as soon as he's come up with his wall mounted potato peeler.

      Are you kidding with this? He isn't using this money to pay himself to solve the problem alone. He is spending it on hiring those software engineers from MIT and Harvard and elsewhere who've been working on this problem for decades.

      Anyone willing to spend money to fund this research is a good thing. Any time that money is spent by a company with a good track record of creating innovative products is even better.

      --
      -- All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -- Edmund Burke
    5. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by BasilBrush · · Score: 1

      Ah , of course! *Obviously* anyone who comes up with a new dryer and connects it to the plumbing is the #1 go-to man to develop bleeding edge AI!

      You do realise Dyson doesn't do all the invention personally? That researching in AI involves hiring AI researchers, not working out the AI himself. Hence this news story - investing in a university to have them do some of the required research.

      Watch out all those teams at MIT and Harvard

      As opposed to the teams at Imperial College London that Dyson is investing in? Hope they read past the first sentence of a summary.

    6. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by Jah-Wren+Ryel · · Score: 1

      And don't someone come up with the BS about everyone will sit around in blissful nirvana writing poetry or music or coding or go kayaking all day. It ain't going to happen.

      And don't someone come up with the BS about it ain't going to happen without even bothering to state a reason.

      --
      When information is power, privacy is freedom.
    7. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by KingOfBLASH · · Score: 1

      And don't someone come up with the BS about everyone will sit around in blissful nirvana writing poetry or music or coding or go kayaking all day. It ain't going to happen.

      Theoretically speaking, if you could get civilization to be sufficiently advanced with technology where we have no concern about energy and all our needs are met, you could have a "Star Trek" civilization without a problem.

      However, the problem with this is between utopia and society today you have a painful growing period where there is a lot of trouble in such a transition.

      Additionally, it could be such a society first requires a massive war / famine / natural disaster to get rid of the excess humanity so we can have 0.01% of the jobs available today.

    8. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by mangu · · Score: 1

      And don't someone come up with the BS about everyone will sit around in blissful nirvana writing poetry or music or coding or go kayaking all day.

      No, of course not. They will sit around and watch TV.

      How many people have the ability and the inclination to write poetry or music or code anyhow?

    9. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by tie_guy_matt · · Score: 1

      Even though the bagless vacuum cleaner is a big seller, I still think that it is a stupid concept. Yes your bagged vacuum cleaner does start to loose suction if the bag gets full (or even if the bag is not entirely full of dirt and larger particles.) That is because the bag is also the hepa filter. If your vacuum is loosing suction it is because the bag's built in hepa filter is getting clogged. In that case, just change the #$%@#$ filter! They aren't that expensive. Oh and by the way the bag doubles as a trash bag so you can throw the entire contents of the bag out and replace the filter all at once without worrying about the dusting going back into the air like what happens when you empty a bagless vacuum cleaner. One of the problems with bagless vacuum cleaners is that they sometimes will allow smaller dust particles to go through and make it out the vacuum cleaner. So to fix that they add an extra hepa filter. Guess what happens when the filter starts getting clogged? Your vacuum cleaner looses suction! So now you have the dust going back into the room when you change the bin AND you still have to change the filter. I am sorry but the entire concept just seems stupid to me.

      Maybe part of the reason I don't like Dyson is that he once made a commercial saying how he improved Tesla's electric motor design. Maybe he didn't mean it like this, but to me it sounded like he was trying to say he is better than Tesla. I am sorry Dyson but you are not fit to hold Nikola Tesla's jock strap! And I personally think a lot of your big vacuum cleaner improvements are useless and stupid!

    10. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      was pretty damned big
      I had 3 different vacuums from 3 different companies. I was not very happy with the dirt retrieval of any of them. One even managed to plug itself up every time I used it. The dyson blew them all away. The only one that came close was the way overpriced kirby I inherited from someone else and that is very arguable. Vacuum cleaners wanted to goto a razor blade mentality. 10-15 dollars for a set of paper bags? (really?) Dyson changed that.

      At the time...

      Now they are pushing nearly 500 bucks for the same model (was 200ish when I got it and that was alot). I will be looking to the new ones that the other companies came up with in the 10 or so years I have had the dyson.

      He has tried to add a 'flavor of apple' to his products. They are overpriced for what they are, bagless vacuum cleaners....

    11. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by locopuyo · · Score: 1

      He also came up with the best hand dryers and fans. I'm pretty sure he isn't a one hit wonder.

      --
      The Official Site of 1337 Pwnage
    12. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by CastrTroy · · Score: 1

      I guess it depends on your point of view. Most of the little kids I know don't like the loud sound or the intense pressure generated by his hand dryers. Another problem for kids is that they don't work if you aren't tall enough to reach them. Not to mention, you could buy a lot of paper towels for $1350 or $1899. Other electric hand dryers are much cheaper, some under $200.

      --

      Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
    13. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by Jah-Wren+Ryel · · Score: 1

      There is also the problem with hand-driers in that they kick up any loose bacteria in the path of the air stream. So, kind of gross to use in a bathroom.

      --
      When information is power, privacy is freedom.
    14. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by tie_guy_matt · · Score: 1

      Oh, I see. I am not using the bagless vacuum correctly. The correct way to empty the bagless vacuum is to empty it outside. Right now outside is a land full of snow and sub zero (fahrenheit) temperatures! But yes going outside in the extreme cold (or in summer heat and possibly rain) does seem like a lot easier than just replacing a @#$@#$ vacuum cleaner bag inside where it is nice and warm.

      And if you think your filter will never clog then you obviously have no idea at all how filters work. I guess I am not surprised that the filter often lasts longer than the vacuum; however I am sure that this has a lot more to do with the general crappiness of the vacuum than the longevity of the filter.

    15. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      If you're talking about the jet hand driers then Mitsubishi may have something to say about your use of the word "invented". Dyson has yet to invent anything. He has refined many things but never come up with anything original.

    16. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by Barsteward · · Score: 1

      Dyson is an engineer who improves current technology and he's improved the vacuum cleaner. Your complaints are trivial nitpicking ones, the bagless model outperforms the bagged models by a long way and in every way. If he did say he's improved Tesla motor design, he probably has because to use a Telsa motor made in Telsa's time in this day and age would be inefficient, everything made in this world gets improved on, its called "progress". Wind your neck in and get a perspective on life

      --
      "The hands that help are better far than lips that pray." - Robert Ingersoll (1833-1899)
    17. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by tie_guy_matt · · Score: 1

      I am looking at last month's consumer reports right now. They rated vacuum cleaners. The best bagless vacuum only scores as well as maybe a middle of the road (and cheaper) bagged vacuum. So no, I would say he did not really improve the vacuum cleaner much. All he did was invent a gimick for people who don't know that you are not supposed to reuse the vacuum cleaner bag!

      I can't find the commercial on youtube. However I recall his claim was that Tesla's design was around for ~100 years until he came around and improved it. He ignored everyone else who made little improvements to the motor and seemed to say that he is as good as Tesla. He is not!

    18. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by Barsteward · · Score: 1

      "He ignored everyone else who made little improvements to the motor and seemed to say that he is as good as Tesla. " -

      i think thats a mis-interpretation of what he allegedly said by you

      --
      "The hands that help are better far than lips that pray." - Robert Ingersoll (1833-1899)
    19. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by Flere+Imsaho · · Score: 1

      Air dryers have been proven to remove far less bacteria than paper towels. For this reason I try to avoid those Dyson dryers, as invariably my hand comes into contact with them when I use them.
      As for Dyson vaccum cleaners, have a look at the reliability and performance scores they get compared to other quality brands such as Miele.

      Don't believe the hype.

      --
      It gripped her hand gently. 'Regret is for humans,' it said.
    20. Re:I'm not covinced by Dyson by locopuyo · · Score: 1

      That isn't a problem with the Dyson hand dryers because they don't use heated air. Regular hand dryers actually harbor bacteria because it is just a warm moist area for them to live. They end up increasing the bacteria count on your hand. The Dyson and paper towels get rid of bacteria.

      --
      The Official Site of 1337 Pwnage
  6. 100% satisfaction and 10 years later? by schneidafunk · · Score: 3, Funny

    Sounds like Duke Nukem Forever.

    --
    Some people die at 25 and aren't buried until 75. -Benjamin Franklin
  7. Will it do stairs? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    If so, I'm buying it.

    1. Re:Will it do stairs? by BasilBrush · · Score: 1

      Ah, the Dalek problem.

    2. Re:Will it do stairs? by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 1

      Will it do you? If it's named Cherry 2000 . . . I'm buying two.

      --
      Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
  8. 5 million! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    He must have sold a dozen vacuums to raise that kind of cash!

    1. Re:5 million! by StripedCow · · Score: 1

      5 million pounds can pay for at least 50 man-years.

      That ought to be enough to develop a robotic vacuum cleaner, I'd say.

      --
      If Pandora's box is destined to be opened, *I* want to be the one to open it.
    2. Re:5 million! by RandCraw · · Score: 1

      Google just spent 100 times as much as Dyson ($700M) to hire ~100 top AI talent.

      At that market rate Dyson's 5M pounds would yield a staff of five.

  9. "We've got another one, Captain." by StefanJ · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Flesh stripped from their bones, like they were attacked by a super-powerful vacuum."

    "Damn. Third one this week."

    "Place sure is tidy, though."

  10. What I'd want in a robotic vacuum by mark-t · · Score: 2

    We have pets, and have to vacuum a lot And what I've found, in particular, is that small and lightweight vacuums can't begin to cope with it... in my experience, the cartridge needs to be emptied about every 15 minutes for suction to be maintained, so we have to use a full-sized vacuum, with a full-sized bag, which we need to replace about once every 3 to 4 weeks. In light of that, what I'd want in a robotic vacuum is one that can automatically empty its own canister into a larger bin at its charging station whenever the robot's canister is full, such that the larger bin at the recharging station only has to be emptied out maybe every week or so, at most.

    It would also be ideal for my situation if it could both a) handle carpet and tile/hardwood with equal efficacy; and b) do stairs, handling all the floors in a multilevel home or loft apartment.

    When somebody invents a robotic vacuum that can do that...well...then... insert the shut-up-and-take-my-money gif here.

    --
    File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
    1. Re:What I'd want in a robotic vacuum by operagost · · Score: 1

      We have pets too... and hardwood floors, with requisite throw rugs in high-traffic areas. I have yet to see a vacuum that actually picks up hard debris on the hardwood (like gravel, or bits of cereal) instead of shooting it across the floor, or that cleans along the edges of a carpet instead of leaving it there or grabbing the edge of the throw rug. How about a suction control? My 1970s Hoover canister (RIP) had it... apparently, In 2014 I'm supposed to hang my rugs outside and beat them like it's 1914.

      I've seen nothing about the Dysons that indicate they will do this. They do have a nice fat ball that keeps them from cleaning under any couches, though.

      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    2. Re:What I'd want in a robotic vacuum by CastrTroy · · Score: 2

      Turn off the beater bar (usually a switch for this) when doing non-carpeted floors and you should be able to vacuum up that stuff no problem. If that still doesn't work, most vacuums make the hose easily detachable so you can vacuum up the big bits without a problem.

      --

      Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
    3. Re:What I'd want in a robotic vacuum by Barsteward · · Score: 1

      "They do have a nice fat ball that keeps them from cleaning under any couches, though."

      thats what the handle is for, its a detachable hose similar to the old tech vacuums, Dysons have 2 methods of cleaning

      --
      "The hands that help are better far than lips that pray." - Robert Ingersoll (1833-1899)
    4. Re:What I'd want in a robotic vacuum by rpstrong · · Score: 1

      Google "robot vacuum self emptying" and dig out your wallet. Yes, they're out there.

    5. Re:What I'd want in a robotic vacuum by mark-t · · Score: 1

      I didn't see any of them that look like they'd do stairs...Also, I'm unsure if any of them would do both hard floor and carpets equally well.

      --
      File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
  11. Ssssssuction by hyades1 · · Score: 1

    The basement-dwelling subset of the Slashdot community are praying they just don't make it smart enough to talk about...alternative uses for a vaccuum.

    --
    I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
  12. Re:$8,500,000 ? by davester666 · · Score: 2

    Why the hell isn't he working on the Dyson Sphere yet?

    --
    Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
  13. No to Cylons! by wolverine1999 · · Score: 1

    No to Cylons... we had enough trouble in the Colonies thanks to them..

    --
    SCIREV.NET - fanfics,reviews & more
  14. Speaking of things which suck... by Applehu+Akbar · · Score: 1

    We can argue about the quality of Dyson products all we want, but be assured that all those off-topic beta posts are not losing suction.

  15. Re:And by SleazyRidr · · Score: 2

    Maybe once the boycotters leave we can read /. in peace again.

    --
    Is 1563649 a prime number?
  16. The problem is with -perception- of engineering by See+Attached · · Score: 1

    There are many things a robot might do for an elderly person - dispense meds, billing records, food prep, Monitoring (is anyone lying on the floor), Music, Blood Glucose tests, Putting on socks, shoes, initialing connections via skype or H.264 to family members, technology assist... where does it stop?

    --
    Time for a new Political party in the US (or two!) One is off the rails Other cant pony up a leader.
  17. Re:And by sudden.zero · · Score: 1

    If anyone is in for a slashcott I propose that we create our own site using the open source slash code, and make it just like the classic slashdot look. I already purchased the domain name slashdice.com kind of fitting I think. Then once dice tanks slashdot by forcing the beta on us we will have somewhere to go.

    What do you guys think, anyone with me?

  18. Re:And by Barsteward · · Score: 1

    you'd better find all the boycotters then, i'm sure they'd help you until they start whining about what you create..... Good luck, we might come and visit your site and make constructive criticism of it.

    --
    "The hands that help are better far than lips that pray." - Robert Ingersoll (1833-1899)
  19. Neato by tingentleman · · Score: 1

    The Neato Signature Pro I got for Christmas (named Sebastian by my manga obsessed daughter) is frankly marvellous - have not hoovered myself since. The future indeed is this way. Dyson will have a job doing better... only some way of climbing stairs (which I cannot even begin to fathom) would improve things dramatically.

    Disclaimer: I have absolutely no connection with the Neato guys (even though they clearly are rather neat (in all senses))

  20. DC06 announced & cancelled in early 2000's by dublin · · Score: 1

    I thought it was interesting that the article mentioned that Dyson has never released a robot vacuum, but then failed to note that the company did *announce* a robot vacuum back around 2001, and finally (quietly) decided to cancel it in 2005. That vacuum was called the DC06 - a summary of the letter "announcing" its cancellation can be found here: http://www.robotreviews.com/ch...

    Those who say this is an easy problem have clearly never really looked at what it takes to solve it. I have - my original background is robotics, and I worked on (and we abandoned as infeasible) a robotic floor cleaner design back in the late 1980s. Time and tech advances haven't helped much - Like most problems in robotics and AI, the real issues are stubbornly immune to increases in compute power or software technology. In addition, "simply" designing and building reliable robotics hardware is insanely difficult to do well. The very best (and thus very expensive) robots we can build are still finicky, fiddly, and incredibly fragile things that require staggering amounts of maintenance (both preventive and corrective). My friend Dewayne Perry, one of the world's leading experts on software engineering, is right when he says that Artificial Intelligence needs quantum improvements to reach even the level of natural stupidity...

    FWIW, I've never seen a robot that doesn't suck, except for the robot "vacuum cleaners" out there.... Nothing makes you appreciate the Intelligent Design of living systems like trying to build a robot that actually really works and is truly adaptive to real world environments!

    --
    "The future's good and the present is nothing to sneeze at." - Roblimo's last ./ post