Some regard the arrival of robots with dread, envisaging a world controlled by mechanical androids. Others recognize the advantages they will bring, such as freeing people from menial jobs. What is certain is that robot technology is advancing at an ever-quicker pace. So what applications of the robots are in store for the future?

Many medical operations require a level of precision which very few humans possess. Those who do can be susceptible to ill judgement, overwork and tiredness, or nerves. A robot is immune to these failings and, provided it has been programmed correctly, cannot make a mistake. A revolutionary concept called nano-surgery is in its infancy, but scientists believe that one day miniature medical machines will be introduced into a body to perform minute surgery directly on the diseased organ, completely independent of a surgeon.

Transportation is another area where robots will play an important role. Driverless cars are now a reality and 'pilotless' planes may follow if public opinion can be won over. Robots are often employed in difficult and dangerous tasks, and few environments are more so than outer space. Probes have already landed on Mars and when humans follow they will be accompanied by a team of communicative artificial colleagues.

Popular-press articles have focussed on the functions robots may perform both in the house and as companions to people with communication or social problems. The former is less likely to happen in the near future: while a computer-operated machine is highly capable of complex logical analysis playing a game of chess, for example physical tasks such as making a bed or cooking a meal would pose serious problems. The second application is more feasible. Machines capable of answering verbal questions and robotic pets responding to commands already exist today.