Icon-Based Home Controllers

The 'Vyo' Smart Home Robot Collects Information Via Physical Icons

'Vyo' is the name of a new smart home robot developed as part of a collaboration between the IDC Media Innovation Lab (milab), Cornell Human-Robot Collaboration & Companionship Lab (HRC^2) and SK Telecom.

Unlike many new humanoid robots that are emerging on the market, this one does not have a face and does not respond to voice commands. Instead, the artificial intelligence robot Vyo is able to interact with users by collecting information from icons using an internal lens.

Users are able to place small "phicons" (physical icons) on a pad for Vyo to read. These color-coded phicons include a fire-shaped icon to activate a home's heating system, a snowflake for air conditioning, a key for door locks and a cup to activate the dishwasher. Once in place, the placement of the phicon can be moved left or right on the pad to indicate changes to the system, such as an increase or drop in temperature, as well as other features. Vyo introduces an entirely new and innovative way to control a network of connected smart home devices.
Trend Themes
1. Icon-based Smart Home Control - Using physical icons to control smart home devices provides a unique and innovative user experience.
2. AI-driven Human-robot Interaction - Replacing voice commands with AI-powered visual recognition enables more intuitive interactions between humans and robots.
3. Color-coded Phicons - Color-coded physical icons offer a simple and user-friendly way to control various functions of a smart home system.
Industry Implications
1. Smart Home Technology - The smart home technology industry can benefit from incorporating icon-based control systems to enhance user experience and simplify device management.
2. Artificial Intelligence - The AI industry can leverage visual recognition technology to develop innovative solutions for human-robot interaction in various fields.
3. Home Appliance Industry - By implementing color-coded phicons, the home appliance industry can offer users a more intuitive and efficient way to control and manage their devices.

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