That's the claim from leading American robotics experts, who are trying to work out how humans can control the vast numbers of intelligent machines which are expected to be unleashed in the coming years.

A team based at the University of Texas have unveiled a system which allows them to use "any device with a web browser to access and control a humanoid robot" – which means machines designed to act like real people.

At the moment, this man machines are fairly rudimentary and can only perform the most basic of tasks.

But as technology becomes more and more advanced, is likely humanoid machines will become a common sight.

"Whereas traditional industrial robots are physically dangerous to be around, humanoid robots are meant to operate in our environments with safety guarantees," the team of academics wrote.