It’s the stuff of science fiction: using robots as part of our daily lives. Or is it? We get up close and personal with the latest robotic inventions at Innorobo 2014 and report back.

REEM-C: Hi, I am REEM-C. Welcome to Innorobo.

The New Economy: The conference brings together the latest innovations in robotics: from domestic, educational, and even industrial robots. This is the latest evolution in telepresence, and offers remote access for people to attend events and interact with others from the comfort of their home.

Jeremie Koessler [Managing director, Awabot]: We use it in different markets, like education, for remote students. We use it in museums, so you can visit any museum in the world. Events like today. And also healthcare, for elderly people to have social relationships.

The New Economy: This is Buddy. He offers education for children, especially those with autism, who find it difficult to interact socially. He also provides home surveillance.Buddy is expected to hit the market by the end of 2014, with a price tag of around €1000.

Innorobo has witnessed a real development of robots over the four years it’s been holding conferences

But beyond personal services, robotics is transforming industries. They’re being put to work in medicine, agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, and the military.

This robot started life as a military prototype, designed to carry heavy weights. Now it’s become a civilian assistance machine. It can withstand weights of up to 40kg, and the developer said it could be used in the production of cars. This machine was designed for warehouse security.

Odile Laborie [Business Development, EOS Innovation]: The robot does patrols inside warehouses, and it can detect and alert when something wrong happens in the warehouse. And then send information to the telesurveillance agency, and it can control what happens – send alert to the police, so the police can act into the warehouse.

The New Economy: But why is the development of robots so important?

Frank Tobe [Owner/Publisher, The Robot Report]: I think it’s important to challenge the creativity of technicians, to solve real problems. And we have real problems in manufacturing, we have real problems in electronics, we have real problems in products that we already have. And there’s a technological solution on the horizon. There’s software technology, as well as mechanical technology. And the blend of them is robotics and automation.

The New Economy: Innorobo has witnessed a real development of robots over the four years it’s been holding conferences: from the prototype stage to machines that can now be used commercially, and gives a very real insight into what we might expect the future to look like.

REEM-C: Goodbye; see you soon.