The rise of the robots is imminent

– but we’re not sure if we should be welcoming our new high-tech buddies or fearing their presence.

With some experts predicting a rise in unemployment rates of more than 50 per cent over the next 30 years, you’d be forgiven for eyeing the robot vacuum cleaner warily.

Adidas, for example, has brought some shoe manufacturing back to Germany with an automated factory that is more efficient than its human-run China factories.

But according to Lero director Prof Mike Hinchey, technology will also offer new job opportunities.

Back in 1979, Dr Christopher Evans predicted in The Mighty Micro that we would all be working a 20-hour week thanks to our robot buddies taking over much of the slog, allowing us to retire at 50. That hasn't quite transpired.

" . . . Modern technology means that it is less expensive than ever to establish your own business and the [school] curriculum should include courses in entrepreneurship," said Prof Hinchey.