Invasion Of The Robots

At age 71, Joseph F. Engelberger knows time is running out on his lifelong ambition. He is already acclaimed around the world as the father of the industrial robot. But the workaholic chairman of HelpMate Robotics Inc. in Danbury, Conn., would rather be remembered as the father of the home robot. "Common sense tells you it's got to end up a bigger market than factory robots," he says.

Don't expect the Smiths and Joneses to turn their housekeeping chores over to a robot soon. The first model--which Engelberger has promised to his wife, Margaret, even though she's not crazy about the idea--won't roll off an assembly line until 30 months after Engelberger amasses at least $5 million to finish development. "The clock starts ticking when I get the money," he says.