According to Hollywood sci-fi movies, we should be surrounded by robots by now.

Dr Sue Keay, Research Director Cyber-Physical Systems at CSIRO's Data61, addressed an audience of Telstra Wholesale customers at the recent Market Connections Forum event.

Dr Keay explained why we don’t see robots in our homes and workplaces, and why that may soon change. She also brought along a robot called Gizmo, designed to crawl through aircraft wings for safety inspections.