Robots, those popular consumer devices, could be a security risk, according to research at the University of Washington. Computerworld reports that "security is pretty much an afterthought in the current crop of robotic devices."

Researchers were not so much concerned that the robots will develop self-awareness, like in the movies, as hackers taking control of the devices to spy on unsuspecting victims. Tamara Denning, a PhD student who worked on the paper, says

We think that consumers should at least be aware that there is the possibility that someone would listen in on their robot and take over their robot and have mobile eyes and ears in their home.