United Kingdom, April 30 -- Scientists claim robot vacuums can be reprogrammed to perform several new tasks, including playing with a cat and watering plants.

Computer whizzes at the University of Bath proposed 100 functions domestic cleaning robots could perform when idle, as part of a new paper, in which they reprogrammed a Roomba robot vacuum to be a mobile wireless charger, workout projector, home monitor and work-status signpost.

As well as playtime with a pussy and soaking flowers, the scientists also believe a robot vacuum could be reprogrammed to deliver breakfast in bed to a lucky recipient, close the windows in a home if it started raining, and transport shopping from a car to a kitchen.

Yoshiaki Shiokawa, first author of the...