SwitchBot just announced that its K20+ Pro household robot will be coming to market, available for preorder today.
The SwitchBot K20+ Pro is a multitasking robot with modular flexibility through a FusionPlatform. The platform connects to the self-emptying robot vacuum and transports items around the house. It also has ports to connect cameras and other attachments, and works with third-party devices.
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This robot has the potential to provide autonomous vacuuming, home security patrols, air purification and circulation, communication, and smart delivery. SwitchBot offers various attachments for different activities, each sold separately.
I got to see the SwitchBot K20+ Pro in action during CES earlier this year. The K20+ Pro doesn’t resemble the sort of humanoid household robot seen in The Jetsons. Instead, it’s a way for SwitchBot to construct a new idea of a multipurpose household robot.
The star of the SwitchBot K20+ Pro is the modular FusionPlatform, which integrates with devices across different brands. It has a USB-C port and power ports to connect them. When paired with a SwitchBot Pan/Tilt Cam Plus, for example, the K20+ Pro can patrol your home while you’re away, show you a live feed, or send you motion detection alerts on the SwitchBot mobile app.
Home security cameras from different brands also work on the K20+ Pro, as long as they have a USB-C charging cable. However, you won’t be able to access the camera feed through the SwitchBot mobile app and will have to use the security camera’s proprietary app.
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You can also connect other electronics, like speakers and third-party devices. SwitchBot offers different configurations for various needs. You can get the SwitchBot K20+ Pro<!–> robot vacuum and FusionPlatform that can hold up to 17.6 pounds for $700 at the SwitchBot website. On top of that, SwitchBot has these options:
- K20+ Pro Patrol Kit–> for $740 with a Pan/Tilt Cam Plus 2K. This lets you use the robot with the security camera on top to patrol your home.
- K20+ Pro Air Purifier Kit<!–> for $911 with an Air Purifier Table. With the removable air cleaner, the K20+ Pro can navigate from room to room and stop in each one to filter the air inside. The tabletop can hold different items to bring them to other people, and has a built-in wireless charger.
- K20+ Pro Air Flow Kit–> for $780 with a battery-powered Circulator Fan. The small SwitchBot Battery Circulator Fan moves the air as the K20+ Pro travels from room to room.
The SwitchBot K20+ Pro navigates using D-ToF LiDAR and dual laser sensors to map different layouts. SwitchBot also plans to host a contest later this year for users to submit their own ways to use the platform, including using 3D-printed components.
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Source: Robotics - zdnet.com
