robots Are Moving Beyond Factories and Into Everyday Life, Fueled by Black Friday Deals
Consumer robots, once relegated to science fiction, are rapidly becoming commonplace in American homes-and this holiday shopping season is poised to accelerate the trend. From self-emptying litter boxes to AI-powered grills capable of cooking a steak in 90 seconds, a wave of innovative robotics is moving beyond industrial applications and into the mainstream consumer market, driven by affordability and increasingly refined technology. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are emerging as key testing grounds for these “embodied AI” products, signaling a shift in how automation is perceived and adopted.
These aren’t simply novelty items; they represent a meaningful distribution experiment for artificial intelligence. Companies are leveraging these gadgets as entry points for subscription services – offering recurring revenue streams through data analysis (like pet health monitoring) and consumable products (premium recipes, cleaning solutions). This strategy transforms one-time hardware purchases into ongoing customer relationships. The increasing practicality of these robots-taking on mundane tasks like scooping litter, scrubbing floors, and mowing lawns-positions them as essential household appliances alongside customary items like vacuum cleaners and espresso machines.
Among the emerging products highlighted is the SeerGrills Perfecta, a vertical, glass-front grill that utilizes searing heat and software to cook steaks in approximately 90 seconds. The company claims similar speed for burgers. Another example is the Airwheel SR5, a carry-on suitcase equipped with sensors that allow it to autonomously follow its owner, navigating obstacles and offering anti-lost features.
This surge in consumer robotics isn’t just about convenience. It’s about embedding AI into everyday environments-kitchens, living rooms, and even airports-collecting valuable data and paving the way for more advanced automation in the future. The “weirdest robots” on sale this Black Friday are offering a glimpse into where mainstream automation is headed: towards solutions that are quiet, useful, often humorous, and increasingly accessible to a wider audience.
