From twerking dogbots to sassy sidekicks: The most alarming robots this year (VIDEOS)

As is their tradition, robotic engineering company Boston Dynamics freaked all humans out by unveiling the new abilities of their latest model. In October, it was revealed that their robot Atlas can now hop stairs without losing any speed, adding to its long list of impressive functions like running on uneven surfaces, getting up after being knocked over, jumping and backflipping. CIMON, the'Crew Interactive MObile companioN', is a new $6 million addition to the International Space Station. The 3D-printed basketball-sized plastic orb is designed to improve crew efficiency and morale during long space missions – but if its debut interaction with German astronaut Alexander Gerst is anything to go by, it could do with an attitude readjustment. The robo-dog Spot that haunted humanity's dreams earlier this year with its ability to open doors decided to taunt us further in 2018 by proving it can also twerk.