Beyond Sweeping Floors: Unleashing AI and Robotics for Real-World Breakthroughs
I wrote a separate version of this topic on LinkedIn and Twitter but wanted to fine-tune this somewhat more for this audience. Why would I even try to tackle this topic?
Hopes and Dreams of Founders - startups use the excuse that they can’t afford the necessary research to validate ideas or locate market opportunities - because they generally can’t. This relieves the founder who now won’t have his or her idea challenged unless they don’t reach product-market-fit (and have spent millions of other peoples’ money).
Imagining the Future to Design Research that Matters - There’s nothing worse than being presented 7-10 underserved metrics and not knowing what to do with them. Maybe you can think of some actions, but at the end of the day it really needs to live inside a larger concept. If you can’t imagine it before the quantitative research, you might also struggle after.
There are a lot of inventors out there right now, creating the enabling technology for new business model concepts. For example, we have artificial intelligence (AI) which has also accelerated the development of humanoid robotic platforms.
Wow, that’s great!
What do we do with them? Have them make the bed, sweep the floor? That’s not much of an imagination.
Instead, let’s find new use cases where we can leverage things like AI and Robotics and apply them to real world scenarios that are just dying for better solutions.
So, I’ve written yet another prompt. This is a derivative of the concept development prompt I wrote for individual metrics (see it in the community). The goal is to provide scope to what we want to imagine and constraint it to current technology and material science. Now, your company may have a secret invention, in which case you’d want to follow this prompt up with a description of it so you can take this new technology into consideration (but I’m just playing with what the Internet knows today.)
Example
The way I’ve structured this - possibly unnecessarily - is to provide the prompt with a current end user, and their current job to be done. I also include the current solution. This way, if you’re working with a company that already has a solution but wants to find breakthrough business models that fit somewhere on their current radar (although enlarged), you can frame your roadmap from a current known product and service competency (this is probably not needed).
Current End User: Tradesman
Current Objective: Framing a deck for a residential dwelling
Current Solution: Various power tools and experience
New Objective: Enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the home’s exterior (this is a broader job that also includes the current job as a critical factor in its success - at least theoretically, because we’re about to blow that up!)
New Superset (aka Job Map): I used another prompt to broad the scope and then another to generate the following job map
Assess Current Exterior - The ability to evaluate the existing condition of the home's exterior to identify areas needing improvement.
Set Aesthetic Goals - The ability to define the desired visual outcome for the exterior enhancement project.
Gather Design Inspirations - The ability to collect ideas and inspirations for the exterior design.
Locate Suppliers or Professionals - The ability to find and select suppliers for materials or professionals for assistance.
Prepare Exterior Surfaces - The ability to clean and ready the exterior areas for enhancement work.
Organize Materials and Tools - The ability to arrange all necessary materials and tools for efficient access during the project.
Confirm Design Plan - The ability to verify that the chosen design aligns with the aesthetic goals and practical constraints.
Ensure Safety Measures - The ability to confirm that all necessary safety precautions are in place for the project.
Apply Aesthetic Treatments - The ability to apply paints, finishes, or other treatments to enhance the exterior's appearance.
Install or Upgrade Features - The ability to add or improve exterior elements like lighting, landscaping, or architectural details.
Monitor Work Quality - The ability to oversee the enhancement work to ensure it meets the desired aesthetic standards.
Resolve Project Issues - The ability to address and overcome any obstacles or problems that arise during the enhancement project.
Adjust Enhancement Approach - The ability to modify the methods or plans as necessary to achieve the desired aesthetic outcome. Finalize
Enhancement Project - The ability to conclude the project by inspecting the work, cleaning up, and ensuring all tasks are completed.
Number of Concepts: I did 5 but I’m only going to show the one that was fully elaborated.
In my prompt, I used the creativity triggers found in the following published article. Maybe you have a different version. If so, let me know so I can improved the prompt!
“81 Creativity Triggers To Energize Your Ideation Process”
It’s a long prompt! 🤓
Output
From this point forward (other than the images) you will see the output of the prompt.
Overview
Integrated Digital-Robotic Exterior Enhancement Service
Description: This is a subscription-based service that provides homeowners with a digital platform and robotic systems to design and execute exterior enhancements. The platform uses artificial intelligence (AI) to assess the current exterior (via uploaded photos or videos) and suggest designs, augmented reality (AR) to visualize options, and a user-friendly interface to confirm plans. Once the design is set, the service deploys modular robots to perform tasks like painting, installing siding, or laying pavers. The robots are integrated with the platform, translating digital plans into precise physical execution.
New End User: Homeowner and the service provider’s technology, obfuscating the need for tradesmen.
Key Features: Digital platform (AI + AR) and robotic workforce.
Benefits: Faster execution through automation, high accuracy via robotic precision, and cost savings by eliminating skilled labor. Resources are reimagined as digital tools and robots replace traditional tools and manual effort.
Superset Coverage: Assesses the exterior (AI analysis), sets goals and gathers inspirations (platform suggestions), locates suppliers (service handles materials), prepares surfaces, organizes tools, confirms plans, ensures safety, applies treatments, installs features, monitors quality, resolves issues, adjusts approaches, and finalizes the project (all via integrated platform-robot system).
Uniqueness: Combines digital design with autonomous robotic execution in a seamless service model.
Detailed Analysis: Integrated Digital-Robotic Exterior Enhancement Service
Addressing Creativity Triggers
This concept was selected for elaboration due to its high potential for innovation and comprehensive coverage. Here’s how it incorporates or excludes creativity triggers from each category:
Configuration:
Included: Combined (Integrated)—The platform and robots form a single, cohesive system, streamlining the process.
Reason: Integration reduces complexity for the user, aligning with the goal of minimal visible features.
Excluded: Separated (Modularized)—While robots are modular, the system’s strength lies in its unified operation, not standalone parts.
Timing:
Included: Faster Processes—Automation speeds up execution compared to manual labor.
Reason: Efficiency is a core benefit, meeting the “faster” criterion.
Excluded: Slower Processes—Not applicable, as speed is prioritized over deliberate pacing.
Operation:
Included: Synchronous (Parallel) Processing—Multiple robots can work simultaneously (e.g., painting while installing).
Reason: Enhances efficiency and reduces project time.
Excluded: Asynchronous (Sequential)—Sequential tasks are minimized to favor parallel execution.
Inputs/Outputs:
Included: Controlled Inputs—Design specifications are precisely defined and executed.
Reason: Ensures accuracy and consistency.
Excluded: Uncontrolled Inputs—Randomness conflicts with the need for predictable outcomes.
Information:
Included: Make Relevant Information Available—The platform provides real-time guidance and feedback.
Reason: Empowers the homeowner and ensures project success.
Excluded: Less Information—Insufficient data would hinder usability.
Size/Scale/Shape:
Included: Larger—Scalable to various project sizes via multiple robots or configurations.
Reason: Flexibility meets diverse homeowner needs.
Excluded: Smaller—Limited scale wouldn’t address the full exterior.
Properties:
Included: Stronger, More Rigid—Robots and materials are durable for outdoor use.
Reason: Ensures longevity and reliability.
Excluded: Weaker, Softer—Not suitable for robust enhancement tasks.
Energy/Power:
Included: Change Energy Type—Robots could use solar power or efficient batteries.
Reason: Aligns with sustainability and cost-efficiency.
Excluded: People Power—Automation replaces human effort, per the objective.
This concept leverages triggers that enhance integration, speed, precision, and user empowerment, while excluding those that add complexity or reduce efficiency.
Mini-Strategic Roadmap
Develop Digital Platform: Build AI for assessment and design, integrate AR for visualization, and create a user interface for project management (6-12 months).
Design Robotic Systems: Adapt or develop robots for tasks like painting and installation, with sensors and AI for autonomy (12-18 months).
Integrate Systems: Link the platform and robots for seamless design-to-execution workflow (6 months).
Establish Service Model: Define pricing, logistics, and support for a subscription-based service (3-6 months).
Pilot Testing: Launch in select markets, gather feedback, and refine (6 months).
Scale Up: Expand to broader markets, improve based on data, and explore additional features (ongoing).
Summary
Everything up until now was AI output!
AI and Robotics are not breakthrough innovations. They’re amazing inventions. How we put them to use as innovators is where the breakthroughs will happen. Everything in the concept above is possible. If Elon Musk can catch Apollo-sized rockets in chopsticks, someone can build an integrated system of customer-facing UI with AI decision and orchestration support, and a team of robotic workers.
The prompt I used leveraged Strategyn’s 81 creativity triggers for concept development; I just applied it differently.
Why wouldn’t you walk into a discovery meeting with your potential sponsor not only with a portfolio of possible value models to use as social objects, but also a portfolio of concepts related to each of them to get them excited about the possibilities.
And for you founders that don’t have any cash, you quickly validate and invalidate your ideas with a tool like this. If we believe all markets organically align with a higher-context job map at some point in the future, then then you can know at least some possible solutions before you do any research at all; especially if they involve the integration of existing capabilities in new ways. That can be done today without any customer research at all! In fact, the prompt does research just to develop these concepts.
Hope you found this interesting.
I read something interesting this morning on X. Energy flows, and if you put an obstacle in its path, the energy will flow around it. I know some people who will poo poo what I’m working on because … it flows around them.
Mike Boysen - www.pjtbd.com
Why fail fast when you can succeed the first time?
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