A robot that will replace your smartphone is already in the works

One day, we will all have robots instead of smartphones. The life-like droids will advise you on various matters, help you buy things, and even make your coffee just the way you like it. That's the forecast from some of the top minds in robotics and artificial intelligence who gathered in Pebble Beach, California, last week to debate the future at the G-Summit conference organized by GWC. The group of scientists and researchers celebrated all the latest advances in the field of robotics, even as they acknowledged the limitations of today's specimens. A lot of people want C-3PO -- the intelligent and affable droid in the Star Wars films -- but if you're expecting C-3PO today you'll be disappointed, said Steve Carlin, the chief strategy officer of SoftBank Robotics America, which makes the 4-foot tall, human-shaped "Pepper" robot. Pepper can do some nifty things like recognize different people's faces and greet customers at Pizza Hut, but it can't wander around the neighborhood on its own.