If the experiments are successful, Robot Taxi expects to have a fully commercial service up and running by 2020. The idea, at least initially, will be to run routes in places where public transport isn't built out, as well as helping tourists get around. If you check out the video below, you'll notice that the stars of the clip aren't hip young millennials, but an elderly couple looking to get out and about.

Japan, if you didn't know, has the world's highest population of older people, with 33 percent of its population having celebrated their 60th birthday. As a consequence, there's an urgent need to care for these citizens, which the nation is doing by trying to develop robots that can do the leg work. That includes handing out IBM-tweaked iPads that can help senior citizens to organize their medication, shopping and exercise schedules. Then there's a robotic bear that is designed to help carry those with poor mobility from one place to another. It won't be long until there's robots designed to carry out tasks like washing your hair... nope, they already exist too.