Robot avatars will provide a new level of freedom and interaction for the disabled, elderly, or bed-ridden that they do not currently enjoy -- some even controlled by a user's thoughts, say scientists, inventors and enthusiasts. Humanoid Robot Learns Like a Child "This is liberating for the person [who is disabled]," Sawyer told FoxNews.com. Yet, the NetHead telepresence system and other fully autonomous robots will one day help the disabled to participate in meetings, join community groups, attend school functions, and even work in an office -- all from a remote computer.

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A ROBOT that automatically categorises waste from construction and demolition projects could enable valuable raw materials to be recycled instead of ending up in landfill. Industrial robots normally excel at precise tasks in controlled environments, such as assembling cars. Since the launch of the test phase in February, the robot has learned to correctly identify half of the construction debris it is fed. But in the US, construction waste accounts for 50 per cent of all landfill material, according to the Construction Materials Recycling Association.

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A restaurant that opened this month in the eastern Chinese province of Shandong uses robots for waiters, boosting efficiency and providing further proof that human beings are superfluous. Machines don't grumble over tips.  They have a better service attitude than humans,  Humans can be temperamental or impatient, but [the robo-waiters] don't feel tired, they just keep working and moving round and round the restaurant all night.

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