Robot as 'intelligent companion'

(Credit: Akihabara News)

Where robots are concerned, it's always seemed to make sense that tasks would become increasingly specific. Whether it be detecting smoke or taking patients' temperatures, researchers have traditionally worked to refine their skills to make them more valuable.

In Japan, however, we've detected a trend toward bots geared toward more everyday tasks, such as washing dishes--perhaps to help that country's rapidly aging population. To that end, Japan's Raytron has developed a small "intelligent companion" that can help with such basic things as flipping light switches or turning on the telly, according to Akihabara News. In keeping with its true helper nature, the "Chapit" is programmed to recognize individuals and voice commands. That, as they say, is nothing to sneeze at.