Segway unveils new hoverboard that transforms into personal robot companion when you're not riding it

Segway and Intel have joined forces to build a hoverboard that doubles as a robotic assistant.

Intel CEO Brian Krzanich demonstrated the new device, called the Segway Robot, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas yesterday.

The Segway Robot works as a personal transportation device, but can also navigate on its own using Intel's RealSense Camera technology.

It can stream video, take commands using voice recognition software, and can make facial expressions and gestures using its robotic arms.

The demonstration included a scenario where the Segway Robot answered a door and guided a guest into a living room so the host of the party didn't have to get up, CNN reports.

Several technology blogs have described the new device as a "robot butler", while the Telegraph called it an "adorable robot servant".

The software is being released as open-platform to developers in the second half of 2016, meaning that programmers could come up with their own uses for the device.

A consumer release is expected to be at least a year away.