Ever since the concept of robots was born, man has dreamt of putting his feet up while machines do the dirty work. It hasn’t happened yet but advances in robotic vacuum cleaners suggest that at least one job could soon be history.

The most affordable and popular choice is the Roomba, developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology eggheads and made by US robotics specialist iRobot. With prices from £249, it has already sold more than 3m units.

The Roomba requires no programming. At the push of a button it sets off, collecting dirt until it detects no more. Sensors avert collisions but though the slim disc-like shape enables it to clean under beds, it does have a tendency to get snagged on stray cables and cannot get close to edges. Ironically it also requires regular, thorough cleaning itself.

For more brains and better looks , the Electrolux Trilobite 2.0 (£800) uses a form of radar to map rooms and plan the optimum route. Also, while basic cleaners only sweep up surface dirt, the Trilobite’s suction provides a deeper clean. A timer means that you don’t have to be home to do the housework and it will even return to its docking station to recharge itself.