HomR

HomR is a theoretical framework used in discussions of domestic robotics to describe a standardized approach to modeling and coordinating human–robot collaboration in home environments. The term is used in speculative literature and emerging academic work to explore what a unified home robotics research program might look like. In this article, HomR is presented as a representative concept rather than a description of a concrete system.

At its core, HomR envisions a unified representation that captures user goals, robot capabilities, and environmental context. The architecture is modular, typically including perception, planning, action, and user modeling components, with a dedicated policy layer that encodes safety, privacy, and explainability requirements. Interoperability is emphasized through reference to open standards and shared data models to allow different devices and software to work together in a home setting.

Potential applications include elder or disability assistance, daily household tasks, and educational or therapeutic activities. Evaluation in HomR discussions focuses on task success rates, user satisfaction, long-term adoption, safety incidents, and privacy risk. Critics point to challenges in achieving robust real-time understanding of diverse home environments and safeguarding user autonomy against over-automation.

The concept emerged in speculative discourse and early research proposals in the 2020s and 2030s. As a hypothetical framework, it has no official standard and remains a topic of ongoing debate about feasibility, governance, and equitable access to home robotics technology.