In the spirit of keeping up to date with the length of time we humans have before our robotic overlords take over, here’s a watch list for companies at the forefront of robotic innovation. As they say, keep your friends close and your impending robotic overlords closer.

Here are the top three to look out for.

• iRobot

The iRobot empire was built on the back of a robotic vacuum cleaner, Roomba, and has since gone on to rake in millions from US military contracts. The company is currently working on an uber dextrous robotic hand capable of grasping a pin, and a video-conferencing robot that follows workers around.

• Google

Last year Google invested in robotic companies like Boston Dynamics, which make jumping/running/walking robots, and Schaft, that make humanoid automatons. Their driverless cars have already driven 500,000 miles without incident.

• Touch Bionics 

Touch Bionics specialize in robotic limbs. Their latest creation is a $100,000 prosthetic arm and hand that can be controlled using an app on your phone.

To check out the rest of the companies, click here. 

[Source : FastCompany]