In a January 2012 survey conducted by Persuadable Research Corporation, it is clear that most people would be in favor of domestic robots. The list of task abilities that is desired from a domestic robot is quite long. At the top of the list is moving heavy things and providing home security. Other tasks include cleaning windows, washing floors and dishes and doing laundry. Interestingly, nearly half, 41%, said they might consider a loan to pay for a robot.

When thinking about robots, most people conjure up those that they've seen in movies or read about in books. Others think of manufacturing or medical robots. But how many think about domestic robots? In a January 2012 survey conducted by Persuadable Research Corporation, it is clear that most people would be in favor of such robots. A majority, 68%, of respondents would consider a domestic robot useful.

The list of task abilities that is desired from a domestic robot is quite long. At the top of the list is moving heavy things, 55%, and providing home security, 54%. Other tasks include cleaning windows, washing floors and dishes and doing laundry. A fairly large number, 46%, wanted to use their domestic robot to remind them of things; kind of like a personal assistant. A smaller number approved them to help with the disabled, 12%, elderly, 11%, or to function as babysitters, 9%. It's obvious that as trust requirements increased, such as caring for humans, the potential usage percentages dropped.

Thinking about building the perfect robot? It should have a more humanlike voice that should sound not too young or too old. Interestingly, 51% also preferred that the voice wouldn't sound too feminine or too masculine either. In terms of appearance, it would be more humanlike than machinelike, a little on the funny side, more colorful than metallic, more round than square shaped, and allow for personal design, perhaps like buying a car.

While 29% of respondents claim that they wouldn't buy a robot, others were ready to shell out real dough for such an item. Nearly half, 41%, said they might consider a loan to pay for a robot. However, quite a few, 28%, who were willing to pay, wanted the robot to cost under $999. This is probably an unrealistic price point considering a good laptop can cost about the same. Still another 20% would go up to $4,999, while 10% would be willing to fork over up to $14,999. There was another 13% who were willing to pay more than $15,000.

There is undoubtedly a market for domestic robots and while many respondents appear hopeful, it might be some time before they are actually available. Until then, it looks as if we'll have to pick up the slack.

For more information contact Persuadable Research Corporation, an island of research intelligence in the sea of market research companies. To get paid to take online surveys visit our panel site at Rocket Powered Surveys.