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Comment by pavel_lishin | Hacker News Reader

I don't have access to the full article, but ... it's basically just a screen that can swivel to follow you? That doesn't sound particularly exciting, interesting, or useful.

> The company now has a team of several hundred people working on the device, which uses a thin robotic arm to move around a large screen, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

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I might be wrong but it sounds just like a shot at Google Nest Hub or Amazon Echo Show, the latter of which has had a motorized rotating screen for a few years now.

Calling it a tabletop home robot instead of a "HomePod with a Screen" or an "iPad on a Swivel" really sets a different expectation, though.

Could be a Double Robotics clone instead of having an arm https://www.doublerobotics.com/

If it does have a large arm, could it fold clothing? If not, hard to think of a killer app. Maybe they expect to pivot.

the tabletop part is what sounds limiting. but if it could follow you around the house, that could be useful

Uhh. I like being able to walk away from things. I do not need my devices following me when I poop or go to bed.

So don’t buy it?

Worry not. I won’t buy any device that follows me automatically.

Don't ever get a cocker spaniel then

Or a Catahoula.

I recommend getting doors, it's very effective at preventing entry of unwanted objects.

Tell that to these ants.

pretty sure you would be able to turn that feature on and off

I'm not being snarky, but I genuinely can't really imagine why.

I guess if I'm walking around the house doing chores while I'm watching TV or on a video call with someone?

Otherwise, it seems like it could be cheaper to just install multiple terminal screens in your house connected to a hub that's aware of where you are.

'alexa, where did i leave my keys' ?

Don't most people have an Alexa pod in most rooms they're in?

...no?

If it could follow me around the house, then it would be nearly AGI, because it would have to pick up all my kids stuff. That would be useful :)

Isn’t that what the Vision Pro does? It’s a computer with a screen that can come with you around the house and the windows can be wherever the user needs them in space.

Maybe it’s not an iPad type device, but more of a next gen monitor stand for the Pro Display XDR. Instead of moving it with your hands, maybe it will have little motors to move it around where the user wants. The stand is already $1k, what’s a few more.

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