To temper dreams of robots: There will be a lag in robots in the home before there is a boom. The problem is that manipulating an environment is harder than mo

To temper dreams of robots: There will be a lag in robots in the home before there is a boom. The problem is that manipulating an environment is harder than moving around in it, or even understanding it. A Roomba can get around, but only the latest version has any idea where it is. Even if it did localization and mapping, it would just be a better vacuum cleaner. Applications available to robots that can move around and know where they are include surveillance, reconnaissance, tele-presence, and most importantly: automated driving. AutoBots will be huge, and soon. But it will be a long time before robots make you drinks using the tools you use. A robot will sooner recognize my drink is a Gin & Tonic than make it.