The days of arguing over who does the chores could be over with the launch of a robot housekeeper.

AR, short for Assistant Robot, is the brainchild of Tokyo University's Information and Robot Technology Research Initiative and was bankrolled by some of the country's biggest corporations like Toyota, Sega, Panasonic and Mitsubishi.

The android is the most sophisticated prototype yet, with flexible hands capable of performing delicate tasks and bifocal eyes that enable it to move elegantly in three dimensions.

AR specialises in making breakfast in bed, and it is also capable of detecting a dirty shirt, throwing it into a washing machine and programming the correct cycle.

It weighs 130kg but glides smoothly around the house and never misses a spot of dirt, even if hidden under tables and chairs.

Sadly, researchers say people who hate housework will have to wait for up to 20 years for the machine to go into mass production.

© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.