Robots not yet taking over… but they are taking on more chores

机器人尚未完全接管……但它们承担的家务越来越多了

The robots might not be taking over quite yet, but they are taking on an increasing number of our household chores. Sales of robot vacuum cleaners and lawnmowers are booming, with the trend being driven by young people keen to make their lives easier, according to a report.

虽说机器人尚未全面“接管”我们的生活，但它们承担的家务活儿却日益增多。一份报告指出，随着年轻人渴望让生活更轻松，机器人吸尘器和割草机的销量正蓬勃增长。

The research found that one in ten homes already own a robot vacuum cleaner and a further one in seven plan to buy one this year, meaning they are likely to be the most in-demand technology item of 2025.

研究发现，十分之一的家庭已经拥有机器人吸尘器，另外还有七分之一的家庭计划在今年购买一台，这意味着机器人吸尘器很可能成为 2025 年最抢手的技术产品。

Aviva's latest "How We Live" report said that robot vacuum cleaners were most in demand among those aged 25 to 34 — with nearly one in five people in this age category already owning one and a further one in four planning to purchase one in the next 12 months.

英杰华最新发布的《我们的生活方式》报告称，在 25 至 34 岁的人群中，对机器人吸尘器的需求最为旺盛。在这个年龄段的人群中，近五分之一的人已经拥有一台，另外还有四分之一的人计划在未来 12 个月内购买一台。

The performance of robot vacuum cleaners has improved significantly in recent years. Early iterations used random bump-and-go patterns — which were prone to missing spots — but the latest models now use light detection and ranging technology and cameras to build a map of their surroundings while tracking their position within it to ensure better cleaning.

近年来，机器人吸尘器的性能有了显著提升。早期型号采用随机碰撞式移动模式，容易出现清洁遗漏的情况，而最新款机型则运用了激光探测与测距技术以及摄像头，能够绘制周围环境地图，并追踪自身在地图中的位置，从而实现更高效的清洁。

Britons also spent more than £300 million on robot lawnmowers last year, with the market expected to more than double over the next five years as new technology also improves the performance of these devices.

去年，英国人在机器人割草机上的花费超过 3 亿英镑。随着新技术的应用，这类设备的性能也得到提升，预计未来五年该市场规模将扩大一倍以上。

The report reveals a love of new technology across British homes, particularly if it saves us time, even if just a little. It found that wireless charging stations, for example, which avoid the faff of plugging in a charger, are the most popular new technology, with more than one in five Britons already owning one and a further one in six planning to buy one over the next year.

报告显示，英国家庭普遍喜爱新技术，尤其是那些能帮我们节省时间（哪怕只是节省一点点）的技术。例如，无线充电站就大受欢迎，它省去了插拔充电器的麻烦。报告发现，超过五分之一的英国人已经拥有一台无线充电站，另外还有六分之一的人计划在未来一年内购买一台。

New security technologies are also experiencing booming demand. The report notes that almost one in three homes have now installed smart doorbells, with a similar proportion having smart security cameras. These systems are linked to their owners' phones, allowing them remote access to see who is at their door or on their property.

新的安防技术需求也在迅猛增长。报告指出，如今近三分之一的家庭安装了智能门铃，安装智能安防摄像头的家庭比例也与之相近。这些系统与业主的手机相连，业主可远程查看门口或家中情况。

The report found that smart technology is proving very popular. It said four in five households now have at least one smart product in the home, with smart speakers being the most popular with nearly half of homes now having one.

报告发现，智能技术广受欢迎。报告称，五分之四的家庭现在至少拥有一件智能产品，其中智能音箱最为流行，近半数家庭都已配备。

Hannah Davidson, of Aviva, said: "Robotics and smart homes are changing the way we live, offering convenience and security like never before."

英杰华的汉娜·戴维森表示：“机器人技术和智能家居正在改变我们的生活方式，为我们带来前所未有的便利与安全。”