We were promised robots. Crazy electronic sidekick or death-dealing automaton of doom, we didn't care, as long as the future shaped up to be the awesome electronic robo-battle we'd dreamed of as children. Flash forward 20 years and all we have are sorry, non-robotic pieces of supposedly innovative crap, such as "hybrid cars," "iPods," and "hope for the AIDs vaccine." Consider the below list a sort of report card, so modern scientists can see exactly how far they are from fulfilling the promises of our childhood. Advertisement

10 Johnny Five (Short Circuit) Sure, he might be a little obnoxious, not to mention he has the dubious honor of sharing a marquee with 1980s staple Steve Gutenberg. But he scores points for looking like a robot that could actually, you know, "exist." Also, when he gets angry, his eyes go "destruction red" and he blows stuff up with a laser. Which is classic robot! Continue Reading Below Advertisement Lacking, Present Day Equivalent: Nintendo Wii Good First Steps: Entertaining, good with people, rumored to malfunction and cause property damage without warning. Lacks: Annoying Jackie Gleason impressions. On second thought"Â¦

9 Lisa (Weird Science) To this day, we're not sure exactly what the hell Kelly LeBrock' character was supposed to be in this film, but we're pretty sure computers were involved, making her at least quasi-robotic. And since it' a general rule at CRACKED to include at least one entry in every top ten list that we'd like to have sex with (see number 19 on "The 20 Worst Cover Songs in Pop Music History") we're including her. Continue Reading Below Advertisement Lacking, Modern Day Equivalent: Kate Beckinsale Good First Steps: British accent, looks good in leather. Lacks: Has yet to exit our closet in a cloud of fog and, through a series of wacky adventures, help us come of age.

8 ED-209 (RoboCop) Forget that whiny, morally conflicted do-gooder hero (who was really more of a man in a robot suit anyways), this big guy was the real star of the show. Save for some minor weaknesses ("stairs"), he' our pick in a fight any day. Continue Reading Below Advertisement Lacking, Present Day Equivalent: American Foreign Policy Good First Steps: Destructive tendencies, suspicious disregard for civil rights. Lacks: Shiny chassis, dual machine guns, voice that sounds like it was put through Macaulay Caulkin' tape recorder thing from Home Alone 2.