Aside from mechanical challenges, what was missing that may have spurred personal robotics development was a dedicated programming language specifically for robot control and communication.

FORBES: Reflections on Personal Robots, Backwards and Forwards

While domesticated robots are becoming a ( frighteningly) common inclusion in techno-friendly homes, Korean 'bot manufacturer ED has a home-ready robot that sports a plethora of communication venues including ZigBee and RFID.

ENGADGET: ED unveils programmable, home-serving U-ROBO bot with RFID

Students learn management and communication skills as they work on teams to design, build, program, and test a robot.

FORBES: South African Students Build Robots And Compete In Lego Program