Online estate agency eMoov has come up with its latest bid to take the human element out of selling and letting homes - by creating a prototype robot to handle vendors and landlords.
Determined to further reduce the cost of property selling and letting, eMoov chief executive Russell Quirk plans to introduce a fleet of robots to visit homes to take photographs, undertake measurements and create floor plans.
Although the programme is in its infancy at present, the firm has released footage to highlight its intention to phase out what it calls "unreliable high street agents" and replace them with high spec, artificially intelligent beings.
The internet has revolutionised how people buy and sell a property and, latterly, has allowed internet based estate agents like eMoov.co.uk, to deliver even greater reliability and value for money. Our robot work force will soon be deployed to tackle the important job of media gathering" says Quirk.
However, Quirk has denied claims made by some anti-online agent property portals and high-end estate agencies who have accused robot agents of going rogue, barging into random houses and forcing their owners to sell at below-market value.
"I can tell you now this is entirely without substance. It's just scaremongering. Probably the work of the same individuals that tried fighting change when we first launched, rather than embracing it. he says.
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Comments
Sorry And YOU want to know if this is a wind-up
Give yourself a shake, man.
The only people interaction with estate agent is phasing out. People still prefer talking to humans and not robots! Is this a wind up or a real campaign I await to see their TV advert.
To me if I was a seller, this would be a big no no.
All our staff were replaced with robots three years ago and no one noticed
Neilw- The only thing that is 'off the wall' about Emoov is their for sale board down the road from my office. It was replaced by a real agent's board :D
All fun and games.. Hard work and knowledge will always shine through in the end regardless of the business model!
I'd be a bit worried about anyone who thought this was actually real.
Anyone seen the spaghetti tree today
April fools! (literally)
What date is it today
A lot of bitter comments here! I see a gag with a lot of humour, yet a serious message.
Here I am! And it's Russell, by the way, two Ls.
I was actually going to agree with you before you slagged me off. I'm still going to agree you, I've always been a big advocate of the hybrid model. For me, that is the way forward, the future. Taking the best elements of the online and traditional model and mixing them together to offer clients the best package possible. A lot of agencies already do this, to some extent. Those who don't embrace the online revolution will get left behind, though. I think that's fairly obvious.
I'm no fan of Quirk's constant grandstanding and attempts to wind up the rest of the industry with opinions on absolutely everything, but he's got a sense of humour at least, even if this video is a bit naff.
We heard you the first time :)
And you all think this isn't going to happen Muhahhahahaha
Absurd idea
Well as Purplebricks recent success points out, the 'human element' is the reason that online agents don't quite work. Its hybrid agency that will eventually prosper, and this just seems like another excuse for RQ to try and wind up his high street competitors.
Never mind. I know several vendors and viewers who have commented on the pathetic service from Emoov, and they are certainly not doing well in my area, so carry on with your robots Russel and the rest of us will keep selling houses.
I'm sure Rob Davis will be here soon with one of his comments praising the 'innovation' and telling us that we are all scared of change. BORING.
Absurd idea
Why try to create something original when there are literally millions of turds out there waiting for e***v to attempt to polish
The problem with having a megalomaniac CEO is that even spoof videos become series of delusional claims badly dressed as humour.
NOT ORIGINAL
Problem with this post is it comes from the wrong company to be an April first ...this is typical of Emoov's off the wall business model