Full steam ahead! A robot to do the ironing for you
IT is the household chore that many dread, but now a robot could do your ironing for you.
Scientists have developed a robot that can flawlessly iron clothes without any creases.
The robot uses sensors and a clever ‘wrinkle analysis algorithm’ to ensure that shirts, trousers and other items come out looking as if they were pressed by a human.
Ironing had previously proved very difficult for robotics researchers to crack – because it involves a number of precise movements.
The University of Columbia team admitted they had found the task of coming up with a robot that didn’t leave unsightly creases in clothes a ‘very challenging task’.
The researchers finally managed it using two Xbox Kinect motion sensors, which allowed the robot iron to map out the garment before starting work using two special scans.
The scientists’ report explains: ‘ A curvature scan estimates height deviation of the cloth surface, while a discontinuity scan can detect sharp features, such as wrinkles.
‘We use this information to detect the regions where we want to apply ironing to remove the wrinkles. Results show that using our wrinkle analysis algorithm, our robot is able to iron a cloth surface and effectively remove the wrinkles,’
The machine works by using scans to detect ‘permanent’ wrinkles, which are actual creases in the clothes rather than temporary folds created by the way the shirt is laid out.
An iron attached to a flexible robotic arm is then directed to sort out any creases – with precise movements designed not to create any more permanent folds in the fabric.
The wrinkles are dealt with in what is described as an ‘optimised order’ rather than the more random approach many human ironers would have chosen. A video online shows a demonstration of the technology on a long- sleeved cotton T- shirt – with the wrinkles ironed out after the top has been laid out by hand underneath the machine. The technology can also be applied to collared work shirts.
The findings are due to be presented at the IEEE Robotics Conference in Stockholm in May. The team now plan to carry out further experiments involving how much force the robot should apply to make their results even more accurate.
Siemens had previously come close to ironing a shirt with a robot called the Dressman, which was the shape of a human torso and blew hot air into clothes to get rid of wrinkles.
The ironing robot is only the latest example of machines able to carry out jobs at home – computers can now turn on your heating and alarm system remotely via the internet.
A report released in November by the Bank of England said robots could take over 15million jobs in the UK in the next ten to 20 years. They are ultimately predicted to take over administrative, clerical and sales roles.
In Japan robots are already serving drinks in some bars, replacing barmen, and in a hospital in California a robot is currently working in the pharmacy, filling out prescriptions.