Door-answering robots in 'five to 10 years'

The global market for industrial and service robots is estimated to reach £38bn by 2020.

Leading universities are launching a research network to make sure the UK competes in that market.

The four key upcoming robot service areas are "healthcare, transport, manufacturing, and unmaned systems", said prof Guang-Zhong Yang, director of the Hamlyn Centre for Robotic Surgery at Imperial College London.

Louise Dennis. research associate at the Centre for Autonomous Systems Technology at the University of Liverpool, claimed we could have robots that answer the door in "five to 10 years".