When we built Roomba, we explicitly designed it to not have a face. We didn't want to think it was cute, we wanted people to take it seriously so we gave it more of an industrial look. People personified their Roomba anyway. Over 80 percent of people name their robot. We did nothing to encourage people to do that but they do it anyway.
Colin AngleIn the original 'Star Wars' movie, there is a small toaster-sized and shaped robot on the Death Star that guides Stormtroopers to where they need to go. I always liked that robot because I could imagine how to build it - and it served a real purpose.
Colin AngleThe way that the robotics market is going to grow, at least in the home, is that we'll have a number of different special purpose robots.
Colin AngleThat's exciting because to create new value in the robot space quickly, you need to stand on the shoulders of other technological developments.
Colin Angle