Apparently scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston are developing “highly expressive humanoid” robots which could be installed in houses up for sale. These robots would be able to work with people and would also be able to learn from them. The robots could then show around prospective buyers, interacting with them and answering their questions while pointing out the various amenities offered by a property. According to MIT, they would also be able to sense burnt out light bulbs, could adjust the temperature and generally ensure everything was in its place.

The idea is that it would free up estate agents from having to make home visits, and the robots could store the details of visitors through swiping driving licence details, or some other form of ID. It is easy to see the benefits for somewhere like the US, as it is much more popular for homes to have open days where anyone passing can view a property. However there is little protection from those viewers wanting to steal from a property, and little hope for anyone asking tricky questions of receiving a sensible answer. It is a fun idea, but unlikely to be coming over here any time soon. Would you prefer to be shown around by a robot, or do you think it is better to talk to a human being?