Circus SE, a Chinese company named after the circus but unrelated to it, has announced the launch of mass production of its CA-1 courier robots. The production facilities can produce up to 10,000 units per year, a figure that makes you wonder: does the world really need so many emotionless box carriers?

The CA-1 robot is a cross between a trolley and a mobile refrigerator. It is capable of carrying up to 100 kg of cargo at walking speed, making it an ideal solution for campuses, hospitals and industrial facilities. Although, to be honest, it's hard to imagine a hospital where dozens of soulless cars scurry through the corridors, transporting tests and bed linen.

The modular design of the robot is a special pride of the company. Depending on the customer's needs, the CA-1 can be equipped with various types of containers, from regular crates to cold storage units. It's like a Lego construction kit, only the creations assembled from it drive by themselves and occasionally frighten employees.

Interestingly, the robot uses SLAM technology for navigation, which allows it to operate both indoors and outdoors. The manufacturer claims that the system is able to adapt to changing environmental conditions, although exactly how it will react to a sudden puddle or a group of students who prefer to communicate in the middle of the road remains a mystery.

The economic component looks quite attractive — with mass production, the cost of a robot becomes comparable to the annual salary of a human courier. However, the developers are modestly silent about the cost of maintenance, repairs and regular software updates, which obviously will not add to the savings.

Critics may notice that the robot looks quite vulnerable to vandals or just curious users. It is unlikely that he will be able to resist a determined person with a tire iron, although the manufacturer assures that the security system includes multi-level protection. What exactly is meant by this is not specified — perhaps the robot will honk loudly when trying to open it.

The funny thing about this story is the seriousness with which the company treats its product. They really believe that the world is ready for the mass adoption of robot couriers, despite all the technical and social challenges. Although, given the pace of automation in China, perhaps they are not so wrong.

One can only hope that these robots will at least learn to politely apologize when they accidentally touch someone with their metal body. Or is it too human for a machine?