Robots on display in Japan are designed to look after the sick and elderly, as well as doing house-hold chores.

A number of other designs include robots that can be used in physiotherapy.

There's a device called the Power Pedal that can be used in the construction industry. And there's also small metallic robot that can express its feelings through body language.

The exhibit shows ways in which robots are being incorporated into fields as diverse as rescue and entertainment. The event also saw the first public viewing of a robotic manikin made of cardboard. This exhibit was designed with environmental issues in mind.

Kazunari Kuroki, Robot Developer, said, "This robot is 100 percent recyclable and so I think it is environmentally friendly in a way that has previously been absent from robot technology."

It's quite possible these robots could end up in the clothing and fashion industries.

The 2-day event was held in Osaka last week. It was organized by the Osaka Prefectural Government.