We've had isolated demos of this and that for many decades, all of varying difficulty of course, but I for one definitely agree with the post. I don't feel like I could go and buy a generic home assistant robot that can perform a variety of basic tasks anytime soon. Demos are nice, but they're kinda like news about new batteries, always a few years away from the real thing.
I'd bet many more than a few years away from a robot that can arbitrarily navigate your house, gather laundry from several baskets, the floor, etc. Divide into whites/colors or warm/cold loads if desired. Load them into an arbitrary washer, measure out detergent, use the right washer settings for the given load. Then come back and move them to the dryer, then come back and unload, fold, put away, etc. And don't get me started on sheets.
It's much easier than it should be to fool people with demos.
but how far are we from some bot ordering you a breakfast burrito on DoorEats and having it delivered? I can 100% envision a bug in one of the current crop of "AI" products resulting in mass burritoing.
Heh we're all standing on the tracks looking at the incoming light here at HN, but don't worry, all the down voters are yelling it's very far away over the ever increasing rumble.
I wonder if he's seen the latest videos of staged demos where humanoid robots can fold clothes
edit: didn't say 2017 when I commented.