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ROBOTS. When I was a kid the notion seemed ridiculous. Yet today we’re seeing these automated machines making more and more of an impact on our lives. I’m not talking about walking, talking copies of C-3PO (although that would be jolly nice) but rather a legion of consumer-grade bots designed to streamline their owner’s life. Massachusetts-based firm iRobot has been around for 25 years and has an extensive portfolio of products that cater for everybody from lazy bachelors to bomb-disposal experts. Its Roomba 880 (R17 400 off wantitall.co.za) is a fully automated vacuum cleaner that uses sensors to navigate, sucking up dirt as it goes. Military personnel can use the 510 PackBot to carry out reconnaissance missions in hot zones without loss of life. With their compact dimensions and high manoeuvrability, the bots let soldiers better plan battle moves — particularly in the unpredictable war against terror.

Perhaps the most fascinating robot combatants are the nanoparticles envisioned by the University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. Its highly advanced nanoporphyrin is fitted with a minuscule tumourrecognition module. This nanobot is theoretically capable of hunting down and destroying malignant tumour cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed. A swarm working their way through the human body might be the cure we have been waiting for.

Nanoporphyrin might not be here any time soon, but delivery drones will. Larry Page, CEO of Google, says the company will launch Project Wing in 2017: a courier delivery service that will use drones to transport goods from the depot straight to the client. Rival Amazon.com recently used exTop Gear TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson to announce its Prime Air service. No official date has been given, but Clarkson said Amazon’s drones would be capable of transporting a payload of 24kg in 30 minutes. To avoid collision they will be fitted with “sense-and-avoid” technology to help them navigate safely at a height of 300m and up. — Thomas Falkiner IT SUCKS: The Roomba 880 will vacuum the dirt away