For now, mechanised household servants are pretty much limited to floor-cleaners — though they do hold a special place in our hearts.But what if a robot, after a long dinner party, could bus the table and head to the sink? Now there’s a relationship we can build on. Japan’s HRP-2 humanoid ‘bot, pictured here, has learned to do just that.

Researchers at the University of Tokyo’s Jouhou System Kougaku Laboratory have used human motion-capture and video game simulations to teach HRP-2 how to handle different types of dishware. They also had to develop waterproof robot gloves.

The researchers are also working with 3-D sensors to help the robots “see” their surroundings so they can move freely.

Along with washing dishes, the HRP-2 also cleans the floor, but with a regular, old-fashioned hose vacuum, as you can see in this adorable montage:

I hope it gets along with the laundry-folding robot.

[IEEE Spectrum]