Weird, cute and vaguely menacing: Here come the robots of CES 2021 – CNET [CNET]

LG Cloi UV-C

Like an 80s sci-fi movie, this menacing robot monitors the halls of darkened workplaces — but in the case of the Cloi UV-C, it’s stamping out germs.

Samsung announce three new robots

Bot Handy

If you’re like me what you really want is a robot butler. This dream of the future is closest to being realized by the Bot Handy. This robot can put dirty dishes in a dishwasher or pour a bottle of wine. Hopefully, just one glass at a time or I’m gonna need bigger glasswear.

Samsung JetBot AI Plus

Could this be the first robot with a dedicated poop sensor? The Jetbot avoids robotic peril by avoiding the “wet messes” Rover leaves when he’s annoyed at you. The robot will be available in the US in the first half of the year. 

ITRI Dual Arm Robot System

Some of those inferior robots have only one arm, but not the ITRI Dual Arm Robot System! It can play a piano and serve you a delicious soda! All in the convenience of a single room! 

Moorebot Scout

Broom broom, here comes the Moorebot Scout! This palm-sized, $179 autonomous robot patrols your home with its off-roading wheels. It doesn’t really do much just yet, apart from monitor with its 1080p camera but it is programmable for STEM-based learning.

John Deere X Series

Less a robot and more a combine harvester with the best cruise control mode you can imagine, this is the John Deere X Series. It has grain tank cameras, computer vision, autonomous driving and in-field machine-to-machine communication.

Moflin

I’m not the first person to make a Star Trek reference with the $400 Moflin and I won’t be the last. But unlike the pesky Tribbles the Moflin doesn’t reproduce exponentially — it just sits on your lap, snuggles in and purrs.

Daesung Hive Controller

While the Brits have partially reversed an EU ban on bee pesticides the Koreans are trying to nurture our stripy friends — with robots! The Hive Controller shown at CES 2021 makes extracting honey much quicker and easier.

Petit Qoobo

Studio Ghibli fans: What do you get when cross Totoro and the Cat Bus? I’d wager it would end up something like the Petit Qoobo, perhaps with more teeth. Not that this robot pet needs to be any creepier — it’s basically a furry whoopee cushion with a tail. It’s a little brother to last year’s larger Qoobo.