Service Robots Are Closer Than You Think

Robots have made an enormous impact on global productivity. But virtually all of that impact has happened on the factory floor. On the other hand, the enormous service sector remains essentially untouched by robot hands. But a set of little-noticed advances over the past two to three years seems poised to change all that. What are these advances? Why are they important? Where will they show up first? Who will profit most from this technology? What are the broader implications as robotics enter our day-to-day lives? We'll explain.