25 best real robots

Swumanoid

This humanoid might not be able to hold a candle up to Rebecca Adlington in the fast lane, but a swimming robot is still an impressive feat and the first step to a water-based robot invasion. Created by a team at Tokyo Tech, its 20 waterproof motors are designed to measure the forces required for different swimming strokes (and beatings).

Boston Dynamics RiSE

Who needs radioactive spiders when science is there to save the day? This little fellow can climb anything from walls and trees to fences and other textured surfaces, all thanks to its six electric motor-powered legs. Just don't get scared and spray it with Raid. It's probably worth a lot of money.

Janken

Rock, paper, scissors. An ancient game that's simple to learn yet nearly impossible to master. For humans that is. Meet Janken, the cocky little hand that will destroy oven the speediest of humans 100 per cent of the time. One millisecond is all it takes to for the sensor to read your hand before rendering your puny attack useless.

HyQ quadruped

This canine-like rambler might look like an electronic headless hell hound from the circuitry abyss but it's actually a pinnacle of stable four-footed walking, with the ability to adjust according to the terrain and obstacles (including, we presume, chasing postmen).

Robotis DARwIn-OP

This adorable little fellow has won us over with large saucer eyes and stylish Batman ears, though he's more than just a pretty face. With more sensors than a Star Trek communicator, the DARwIn-OP boasts a HD camera and mic, a built in speaker and SD card slot and has the ability to learn, walk and even pick itself up when it falls on its behind. Which is more than we can say for many of us on a night out.