Coming Soon to a House Near You -- Robots

Sick of doing the dishes? Reading books to your kids? And happen to live in Japan? You might be in luck — in just a few short years, robots could take over those menial tasks and care-giving responsibilities. A recent report from think tank Machine Industry Memorial Foundation estimated that robots could fill the jobs […]

RobotSick of doing the dishes? Reading books to your kids? And happen to live in Japan? You might be in luck -- in just a few short years, robots could take over those menial tasks and care-giving responsibilities.

A recent report from think tank Machine Industry Memorial Foundation estimated that robots could fill the jobs of 3.5 million people in graying Japan by 2025.

This could be a huge help for Japan, given the country's population is shrinking. In light of an anticipated slump in the working population, due to the combination of a low fertility rate with a steadily increasing elderly population, a few able-bodies automatons could come in handy.

Of course, robots would have to become more sophisticated -- and people would have to get over any HAL 9000-esque fears of death by bot.

We've already seen the development of robot receptionists, babysitters, bartenders and even robot sex dolls What kind of robot would you be comfortable having help out around the house?

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