Tau Robotics launches humanoid robot cleaning service in San Francisco

San Francisco-based startup Tau Robotics has launched a humanoid robot house cleaning service, charging $30 per hour. The service, currently available to select customers in San Francisco, utilizes modified Unitree G1 humanoid robots to perform tasks such as vacuuming, tidying, scrubbing, and deep cleaning kitchens and bathrooms.

While the robots are equipped with AI, they are not yet fully autonomous. CEO Alex Koch stated that the machines are jointly controlled by AI and human operators using VR goggles to manage tasks remotely. The company aims to expand its weekly cleaning sessions to 1,000 in San Francisco by 2027, with plans to enter other U.S. cities and international markets by 2028.

Experts have raised concerns regarding the technology. Ken Goldberg, an engineering professor at UC Berkeley, questioned the maturity of the technology, citing potential safety risks if robots fall and privacy concerns regarding the robots' camera systems. Additionally, because Tau Robotics utilizes hardware from China, the company faces potential regulatory risks following FCC restrictions on certain foreign-made advanced robotic devices.