Picking up an apple without dropping or bruising it is child's play for humans but a big achievement for a robot.

The dexterity of the “shadow hand” robot, which is capable of 24 different degrees of movement, has attracted the interest of Nasa engineers. They have acquired one to help them to develop a robotic astronaut to carry out spacewalks.

Michael Pollitt, of the Shadow Robot Company, said that would be developed to carry out dangerous tasks, such as bomb disposal and working close to nuclear reactors.

In the home it is likely to be used to help the elderly and infirm with tasks such as opening milk cartons and turning taps. The “shadow hand” was one of four devices on display at the Science Museum Dana Centre for an event entitled Streetwise Robots in London.