Robots may never rule the world, but robotics technology is helping humans in all sorts of industries. The boring and/or dangerous jobs that humans would rather not do are often allocated to robots. Robots can also perform repetitive tasks more efficiently than humans, and they free workers to do other important tasks.

Many of the latest high-tech robots are now made or designed in Massachusetts. Robotic vacuums, robots that can help with manufacturing jobs, underwater robots, military robots, medical robots, hovering robots, and more are all manufactured in the state.

Michael Gennert -- head of robotics at Worchester Polytechnic Institute -- told the Boston Globe, "Massachusetts has shipped more robots than anywhere else in the world." Approximately 100 robotics companies reside in the state, with over a dozen in the Boston area alone. In fact, Boston is one of the world's leading robotics centers. Even a French company that builds robots to interact with customers opened its first U.S. office in Boston.

Patrick Larkin, director of the Innovation Institute at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, told the Boston Globe, "What's strong about Massachusetts is the diversity of its robotics." Robotics in the state started in the labs of the universities, and those universities have been pivotal in fostering partnerships within the industry.

According to a report by CNBC, more than 3,200 people are now employed in robotics in Massachusetts. Investments in robotic companies in the state top $200 million. Annual sales of robotics in Massachusetts are close to $2 billion.

In the next decade, the market will grow as demands for more personal and commercial robots in the state, the country, and around the world continue. Robots are here to stay!