NAMPA, Idaho (KBOI) — Robots may be a sign of the future, but one Treasure Valley engineer says the future could be here sooner than you think.

Gabe Bentz, the founder of Slant Concepts, is designing a robot prototype that will function similar to Rosie the robot, from the 60s sitcomThe Jetsons.

His name is Jerry.

Right now, Jerry is an early version of a multi-use robot that would help out with everyday tasks around the house.

"The overall task is to be an 'everything' machine that you're able to use," Bentz said. "The applicability of him is the thing that makes me proud of what he's able to do when he's all finished up."

Jerry's brain is currently a desktop computer.

"I send the commands to him through the keyboard and they relate to each particular joint or part of the robot," Bentz said.

Functionally, Jerry has an arm that moves up and down, while his body takes care of side to side movements. Eventually, once software is developed and the parts are being manufactured, he'll be able to move quickly and easily.

"For seeing the world, he's got two cameras, and he sees exactly the way humans see," Bentz said.

Developers are starting a Kickstarter campaign to help raise money for software development, which he says will be the toughest piece moving forward. Once that's finished, Jerry will be able to be controlled through things like smart home devices, or even smartphones.

Bentz says he dreams of the day where Jerry will carry drinks to guests at a party, or scan a room and return misplaced items to where they belong.

"Within 18 months to two years, I want him moving into people's houses and actually doing work," Bentz said.

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