How AI Is Getting More Human

MOVES

TALKS

SEES

GOOGLE HOME

This voice-controlled speaker is powered by the Google Assistant, which helps users manage their calendars, perform Google searches or translate speech.

AMAZON ECHO

The company’s Alexa software enables users to chat with its Internet-connected speaker, asking it to read news and weather reports or even order a taxi.

ANKI COZMO

This camera-equipped robotic toy can recognize and react to its owner’s face, and even say his or her name.

FETCH ROBOTICS

These bots follow warehouse workers as they pick items from shelves, then help them carry inventory to reduce physical strain.

SPHERO BB-8

The smartphone-controlled Star Wars toy is smart enough to remember its surroundings so it can adapt accordingly as it roves your home.

AETHON TUG

This bot, which is now in use, moves through hospital hallways to deliver medicine, supplies and lab specimens, giving doctors and nurses more time to focus on patient care.

SOFTBANK PEPPER

The Japanese robot, which can understand human speech, recognize body language and make gestures of its own, is being tested as a customer assistant in retail stores.

BOSTON DYNAMICS SPOTMINI

This robotic pup (developed for research purposes) uses sensors and cameras to move with lifelike precision. It can even handle delicate objects like wineglasses.

DJI MAVIC PRO

The foldable drone can see and avoid midflight obstacles like trees and buildings. It can also track and follow subjects, like a downhill skier.

TESLA MODEL S

Thanks to a combination of cameras and sensors, the electric sedan knows how to stay in a highway lane, match its speed to that of surrounding traffic and even park itself.

NEST CAM OUTDOOR

The security camera’s software can distinguish between people and other subjects, like animals, to reduce false alarms.

MICROSOFT HOLOLENS

Microsoft’s intelligent eyewear can see, map and understand its wearer’s physical surroundings, allowing them to view apps and games as 3-D holographs.

ASUS ZENBO

This bot aims to be a more lifelike version of Echo and Home, maneuvering around the house as it answers users’ questions and expressing “emotions” via a virtual face.

OTTO TRUCKS

The Uber-owned company specializes in turning ordinary big rigs into self-driving trucks by outfitting them with hardware and software that enables them to see roads and map routes.

IROBOT ROOMBA 960/980

The sensors in these models enable them to “see” floors as they clean, which helps them do a more thorough job.