It is easy to get weighed down by daily tasks, never quite feeling like you can catch up to the never-ending to do list in your mind. This is probably why so many "perfect" visions of our future, as depicted in books and movies, feature robotic companions that help take the pressure off their human counterparts. While the in-home robots on the market today are certainly no C-3PO, they're getting more and more adept at assisting with daily tasks. In fact, newer models will likely focus on taking care of your emotional needs as well as your household chores! A robot that helps you with day-to-day household tasks, making your life easier.

In-home robots to help with everything from cooking and cleaning to childcare and companionship have been the stuff of sci-fi for decades. But, with the unveiling this week of the Wall-E-like Asus Zenbo, this is the year that science-fiction could turn into science-fact, introducing home assistants that can talk to you, control your electronics and help out with the chores. Here are five that could be knocking at your door in the near future. The latest robot to offer help around the home is Asus's Zenbo, which, at 599 ( 410), costs about the same as a smartphone. Designed to be a do-it-all smarthome assistant, Zenbo can drive itself around your place, using various cameras to keep it from bumping into the walls.