>>mch82+(OP)
Robotics - super expensive just to start. Think about 3 developers for mechanical, electrical and software parts plus expensive hardware. Timeframe at least 2 years. So $1M just for shy start.
Home automation topic goes for decades. However I don’t see wide adoption anywhere. Most tech savvy buddy is playing often with new products and stated, that the best thing is Philips Hue lights in home automation area. Other things barely work.