http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6425927.stm

An encouraging sign, I think, on several levels. (This discussion must necessarily touch on several important questions, including "what is a sentient being?" and "what responsibilities do we have to our creations?", which I think are important questions for us to address as a society.)

I, Roommate: The Robot Housekeeper Arrives

Despite the title, the article is more about this robot as diminutive companion than as housekeeper. The experience described sounds more like Asimov's dreams of the early days of robotics than anything else I've seen so far. Between the lines, you'll also see some interesting reflections on the extent to which humans really really like to anthropomorphize given the slightest excuse.