The Consumer Electronic Association has listed robotics as a technology trend that is set to influence the next 12 months. Also on the list are content creation and obscenely large TV screens. Unusual, yes, I know.

"A robotic future has long been talked about but so far has failed to deliver anything to match a human’s flexibility, mobility and dexterity."

Of course, the main hangup keeping robots from moving off of the bleeding edge is the price point. I highly doubt we’ll see a real robotic revolution in American (or otherwise) homes till you can pick up a robot at Best Buy for the same price you’d pay for a refrigerator.