Tokyo unveils latest robot.

Dec 17 - Dishwashing robot could be available for sale in just five years time

The University of Tokyo has developed a series of robots capable of performing house-keeping jobs, including doing the dishes. With 18 sensors of five different types attached to the robot's hand, its arm first detects dishes, carries them without crushing or dropping them and then hits the dish washer's start button.

Created in association with Japanese electronics giant Panasonic, KAR is still a prototype. The engineers are now trying to make the robot smaller and lighter and move fast enough to be able to put away dishes in five minutes after a family of four has finished dinner.

NOTE: Unvoiced video.