The problem with robots is, they have traditionally made a rubbish cup of tea.
iCub, the smart, if creepy-looking, Pinocchio robot is on its way to being able to make you a tea, and place it on a table next to your pipe. Well, almost.
iCub has been taught a very human process of decision making that helps it distinguish between different objects - something that computers are not particularly good at.
The robot's maker, Professor Giorgio Metta says: "What we wanted to do is to make sure the robot can interact with the environment. It has plenty of sensors - cameras, microphones - and skin that can touch and feel, so it can understand if it is doing good or bad, and to improve its behaviour."
It's not ready to replace you on the chores and dinner front, but it's another step towards a utopian domestic robot serfdom of the future.