Designs would consist of Roombot modules — which resemble two dice stuck together, and contain a battery, three motors for movements and pivoting, and a wireless connection. Each module is just 22cm long and the team imagine just 10 of them could combine to build a broad range of furniture. “The Roombots would be coupled with more passive materials such as a table top or cushion to create the end results,” says Ijspeert.

However, the team’s immediate goals are to create mobile furniture to assist the elderly and those with reduced mobility. “Let’s say an elderly person is using a walker, the furniture could have modules attached for it to move out of the way in a cluttered apartment or have a stool follow the person and remain close by,” describes Ijspeert.