Humanoid robots clean San Francisco homes for $30

San Francisco residents are now able to hire humanoid robots to clean their homes for $30 per hour. Tau Robotics, a company that has developed these robots, has launched a pilot service allowing households to book the machines for $30 an hour, with the option to hire two robots for $60. Initially, the service is invite-only, with up to 1,000 households able to participate.

The robots, created by Tau Robotics, can perform various household tasks such as vacuuming, cleaning surfaces, unloading dishes, and taking out the trash. They wear black Tau Robotics uniforms and have been given names like Chelsea, Elon, and Tony. Each robot costs around $50,000 to build.

CEO Alexander Koch announced the service on X, stating that the price is particularly interesting when compared to San Francisco's minimum wage, which is currently $19.61. Koch explained that the robots are initially trained to mimic human performance, but the company aims to train them to surpass human performance in the long run.

Tau Robotics is currently seeking 1,000 households to participate in the service by 2027, with plans to expand to other US cities and international markets in 2028. However, the service is still invite-only, and interested residents must join a waitlist.

While the idea of humanoid robots handling household chores may seem convenient, there are concerns about their readiness to replace human cleaners. Despite their impressive demonstrations, the robots are currently seen as an experiment in AI-powered domestic work rather than a complete replacement for human housekeepers. Nonetheless, the $30-an-hour humanoid robot cleaning service offers a glimpse into the future of home automation.