Robots have often been pictured in sci-fi movies as helpful servants, witty sidekicks, and machines trying to blend in with human society. Usually, the robots we see on the big screen can take on many complex tasks, from assisting in medical procedures to piloting spaceships. But now, advanced robots are more than just sci-fi characters. Many robots capable of impressive things have been created in recent years.

If you had a robot, what kind of tasks would you want it to do? Many would like a robot that could clean their house, cook, or even just as a companion. While it may sound like a futuristic idea, the future will be here before you know it. Here are some tasks that robots have been programmed to do up until now.

1. Serve Food

Have you ever been served by a robot waiter before? They’re becoming more common. Robot waiters can serve food and carry several dishes at a time. With a robot waiter, restaurant staff can focus on taking care of their guests and work more efficiently. In addition to delivering food, the robots can also take dirty dishes from tables and take them to the kitchen. Some robot waiters, like Bellabot, also can interact with guests. Bella’s cute and friendly cat design delights customers and she’ll even purr if someone gives her a scratch behind the ears.

Waiter robots can also be used in other industries and for other purposes besides food service. Any place where items need to be carried to and from different places can benefit from this technology. Robots like Bella can be used in an office to carry files and equipment between desks, or in a hospital to take instruments to different consultation rooms. The possibilities are endless.

2. Clean Your House

The most common household robots that are currently available to buy take care of a task that most people dread – cleaning. Vacuum robots have long been popular, as you can program them to clean up whenever you want and don’t have to worry about vacuuming your house. While they initially had some issues, vacuum robots are now better at cleaning than ever before. They’re specially designed to map out your home and avoid obstacles and can clean both rugs and hardwood floors. Some robot vacuums can also mop your home, leaving your floors pristine.

But beyond cleaning floors, there are also robots that can take on other cleaning tasks. There are robots that can fold laundry, clean gutters, or clean your pool. Some of these technologies are still in development, so it may be a while before your entire house is getting cleaned by robots.

3. Cook Meals

Who wouldn’t love to be served gourmet meals every day without having to lift a finger? Robot chefs can provide that experience. Some robot chefs can perfectly execute complex recipes created by the best chefs in the world. These robots can be used in restaurants so that chefs can be sure that their guests are always getting the best dishes made exactly to their specifications. There are also robots being developed for home use. Personal robot chefs can take care of meal planning, let you know when you’re low on ingredients, and of course cook delicious meals.

4. Assist in Surgeries

Did you know that robots are already playing an important role in advanced medical procedures? Robot-assisted surgeries have become more common in recent years. They are less invasive and lower the risk of infections and other complications for the patient. Robotic arms are used by doctors to operate on the patient with small tools and precise movements. This kind of technology can be used in many different types of surgeries.

5. Be a Companion

There are many robots on the market that serve as companions. They come in different designs and are programmed to do different things. They can give you reminders, tell jokes, and play. There are companion robots designed for all ages, from kids to seniors. Some companion robots are designed to act like pets. Sony sells a dog companion robot that barks and plays with toys just like a real dog.

Companion robots can be used to help with loneliness or simply to have a robot sidekick. As technology advances, companion robots continue to become more lifelike and can be programmed to do more things for us.

While we’ve all seen the amazing things fictional robots can do, there are many things that real robots are doing as well. From serving food to assisting in surgeries, robot technology has come a long way in recent years and will continue to advance. There’s so much potential in the field of robotics. If you’re interested in finding out more about what robots can do, why not do more research on robotics? There’s so much to learn about this fascinating field.