For HomeBot co-founder Clara Mulligan, working in a dynamic space like hers every day is a learning experience.
Clara Mulligan is homebot irelandis a West Cork based robot company that develops robot vacuums, mops and lawn mowers. Her business idea, like many solid entrepreneurial ventures, is based on the idea that simple everyday problems have elegant and practical solutions.
“I’ve always been a problem-solving person,” Mulligan told SiliconRepublic.com. “Even when I was young, when I noticed something wasn’t working at home or at work, I felt like I needed to find a better way. I had to find a solution.”
What is the issue at hand? She explained that her father-in-law used to have trouble mowing his lawn because his lawn was uneven, and that he frequently mows lawns for neighbors, which required loading the machine into the van. An act that resulted in a broken ankle.
She said, “HomeBot exists because there was a real problem in front of us to solve. I think when products are built around real needs, they tend to work better because they’re based on reality rather than theory.”
When it comes to the subject of theory and reality, there are many myths circulating on the subject of robotics, which Mulligan wants to dismantle. First, robotics, by its very nature, is either very expensive, complex, or intended only for technology enthusiasts.
She joked, “Contrary to rumors, I haven’t come up with a robot that washes, dries, and folds laundry yet, but I’m currently developing one.” She added that while people tend to think that robotics is difficult for the reasons mentioned above, she added: The scenery is changing. “Technology has become much more accessible these days, and people can now access it in their homes.”
everyday robotics
In that regard, Mulligan believes that robotics is becoming much more integrated into households and is no longer limited to early adopters, but has become part of everyday work. As she explained, it’s a change that makes sense for robotics experts, who are in great demand in the field.
“For example, I’m particularly interested in how robots can support people who really need them: the elderly, people with mobility issues, and busy families. For me, it’s not about technology, it’s about practical solutions that make life easier.”
She predicts further changes to come as people continue to prioritize time and independence and turn to advanced technology to ease the burden of daily manual and mundane tasks. The way Mulligan’s Stepfather’s Garden is managed has changed in much the same way as Homebot.
“Technology that handles repetitive household chores frees people up for hours a week and reduces physical strain. This has huge implications for busy families, such as children and pets, people with mobility issues, and the elderly. What’s interesting is how quickly people start using these robots and how quickly they become regular robots.”
“We hear this all the time from our clients. Often, something that feels so new to you at first becomes something you can’t live without. The robot does it for you, so even the chores that simply aren’t on your to-do list become part of your family.”
Describing HomeBot as being in its early stages, Mulligan is excited about the future as the two-year-old company looks to scale.
“I am focused on continuing to expand our product range in the coming months and expanding our line of smart home robots to include window cleaners and solar panel cleaners. For me, the goal is the same as it was at the beginning: to keep things simple, listen to consumers, and build technology that truly helps people.”
“We’re just getting started, so keep an eye on this space. It’s been an incredible couple of years, and I’m really excited to see how this space evolves over the next few years. Technology has huge potential to improve everyday life, and I’m proud to play a small role in it.”
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