The widespread use of robots may seem like an idea of the future, but this list of 2020 robot innovations emphasizes that robots are already being integrated into the everyday lives of the consumer. Whether for novelty, convenience, or automation, robots can serve a variety of purposes that streamline roles previously led by humans.

Due to social distancing restrictions, robots played an even more important role than one could have anticipated. Some highlights from this list include the fleet of hospital-based robots that were employed in Wuhan to help minimize human interaction as COVID-19 continued to spread. This technology had the ability to take patients’ temperatures, deliver food, and disinfect the facility. On a similar note, Hotel Trio leveraged robots to help its guests receive contactless wine deliveries. Autonomously navigating the halls, this robot could deliver alcohol alongside other necessities.