An exhibition featuring dozens of Europe's most advanced robots opens at the Science Museum in London tomorrow.
Stars of the show include the Italian-made iCub, right, which can track and grab a ball, while other machines can help to find your socks or do the washing up.
Another called Kaspar, above - built by a team from the University of Hertfordshire - gradually takes on the appearance of the person it is dealing with and can help autistic children to develop.
The four-day RobotvilleEU event includes a host of British-made gadgets. "It explores how robots will become an inherent part of life in the future," said the museum's content developer Stuart Umbo. "We're very excited to showcase the best in European robotics."
Among the exhibits is Dora the Explorer, devised by a Birmingham University team, which uses lasers to find lost objects.
One entry called Couch acts as a fitness instructor, while Dex can do the dishes, hold books or open jars.
The museum is hosting a series of robot-themed events through December.
