Like thousands of robots deployed by U.S. forces in Afghanistan, PackBot fulfilled a mission that flesh-and-bones soldiers, risking life and limb, used to do.

WSJ: In the Afghan War, a Little Robot Can Be a Soldier's Best Friend

It features a near-future scenario in which the U.S. military has developed technology that puts unmanned vehicles and robots on the front lines of battle.

CNN: 'Black Ops 2' trailer hints at series' dark future

In the U.S., the Defense Department has been the big spender for robots, seeking machines that can protect soldiers' lives.

FORBES: The Robots Are Coming!

To find out just how well today's robots work, we tested six of the coolest personal bots currently available for sale in the U.S. ( Click here to see them.) They ranged in price from a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars and fell into two broad categories: single-purpose robots, which are designed to accomplish a specific task, and entertainment robots, which exist for pleasure and play.

FORBES: Luxury Robots