What is the near-future role of robotics in regular households?

 In1940, author/scientist Isaac Asimov wrote "I, Robot,” science fiction stories envisioning a robot society. His story, in a1990s setting, began with "Robbie,” a robot whose function was to interact with children. Although Asimov’s timing was off, his vision was perfectly clear.

            Earlier this year, Tokyo-based ZMP, Inc. began marketing Nuvo, a small but impressive $6,000 robot that walks, talks, dances, and plays music. It responds to voice commands and can relay pictures of what its eyes see to any cell phone. Company executives tout it as a great housemate, child monitor, or home security system.

            Experts predict that by2010, world market for robots will exceed $75 billion, up from just $6 billion last year; and this has many companies scrambling to get in on the action. Sony Qrio, Honda Asimo, and Toyota Personal Robot; in development now, will soon market competing models in the $10,000 to $30,000 range.

            Today’s crude ‘bots are clumsy and think with insect-like brains, but projected advances in robot skin, voice recognition, and cognitive science will soon create robots that are far more humanlike.

University of Tokyo researchers have developed flexible artificial skin that will allow robots to feel pressure, temperature, light, humidity, strain and sound. IBM’s new voice recognition systems will allow a more natural conversation with our silicon friends, and researchers at Redwood Neuroscience Institute dream of one day programming human cognitive behavior into robots.

By2010, household robots will be far more intelligent than today’s primitive ‘bots. Many will find their way into homes performing limited chores, providing valuable services for children, and enabling elderly people to live in their houses instead of going to nursing homes. In a recent survey, disabled patients said they’d prefer a bath given by an intelligent robot over a human; it’s less embarrassing.

By2015, robots will look, feel and sound more intelligent. They will rapidly become irreplaceable as they perform most household chores. They will love doing laundry and home maintenance, and act eager as they help us make sense of our mega TV channels and Internet.

By2020, much smarter ‘bots will understand our moods; know when we are happy, angry, in a hurry, or tired; and conduct meaningful conversations. We will rely on them to keep us organized, informed, and aware of everything happening in our world. They will express personal attraction for their masters and display near human-like personality. Politicians will create ‘Bots Rights legislation that defines robot-human relations.

By2025, robots will become the most important family acquisition. These brilliant silicon creatures, endowed with powerful intelligence, will understand our world and seamlessly interact with us. They will help manage our2020s technologies: medical nanobots that keep our bodies in perfect health; counter-top replicators that provide food, clothing, appliances, or even build additional robots; and immersive virtual reality simulations that whisk us away to entertainment dreamland.

By2030, human-machine merge will become possible. Enhanced brain capabilities will enable people to "download” information from their robot providing huge increases in brain power. Could this future happen? Experts say yes; strong commerce and government support assures this "magical future” will become reality – and in our lifetime.

Future is bright, but it may make it very expensive for those who can not afford them also it will encourge lazyness and dependancy with housewives .............. so be careful you inventors.

As people are becoming lazy and want everything faster yes robots will be playing major role in coming future. Even I can see robots driving cars which will surely avoid accidents ;)

nitin, i hope you don't mean as a wife,that would be a problem.

but i would still need a human touch and fealing around me.i would have a robot but to make me popcorn so i can watch a movie or wash my car.

still old fashioned anyway.

I expect there will be out of control consequences.

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