watch: dyson is working on robot prototypes to carry out household chores

Dyson supercharges its robotics ambitions

Dyson has revealed its ‘master plan’ to bring advanced robotics into our homes by the end of the decade. Announced at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) in Philadelphia, the tech company gave a glimpse of its secret robot prototypes that carry out household chores.

As part of its ambitious plans, Dyson wants to create the UK’s largest and most advanced robotics center at Hullavington Airfield, and it’s searching for the world’s brightest robotics engineers to join the team.

‘Dyson employed its first roboticist 20 years ago and this year alone we are seeking 250 more experts for our team,’ says Dyson’s Chief Engineer Jake Dyson, who’s leading the secret R&D work at Hullavington Airfield in Wiltshire. ‘This is a ‘big bet’ on future robotic technology that will drive research across the whole of Dyson, in areas including mechanical engineering, vision systems, machine learning and energy storage. We need the very best people in the world to come and join us now.’

images and video courtesy of Dyson

Made famous for its eponymous vacuum cleaners, Dyson indicated that it’s moving beyond robotic floor-based vacuums. In a film released on social media, the company revealed the latest developments of Dyson-designed robotic hands that are capable of picking up objects, meaning they can collect children’s toys from the floor, stack dishes, and even lay the table.

To help realize its goals, Dyson is looking to hire 700 robotics engineers over the next five years, who will be located across the brand’s London, Hullavington Airfield, and Singapore locations. 2,000 people have already joined the tech company this year alone, of which 50% are engineers, scientists, and coders. The brand also said that it has been secretly refitting one of the main aircraft hangars at Hullavington Airfield over the past six months to prepare for 250 new roboticists. The robotics makeover is the next stage in Dyson’s £2.75bn investment plan in new technologies, products and facilities; £600m of which is to be spent this year.

Dyson is supercharging its robotics ambitions