There are some very smart, creative and deeply caring people in this world. And when they have all the right tools in front of them it's amazing what they can develop.

Here's an example:

http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/82

George Lucas had this idea twenty years ago.

I thought there was a bit of an R2D2 thing going.

We learn by doing ~ Aristotle

Just think ahead ... even quieter components through materials improvements in micro-motors will eliminate much of the sound.
They'll add the other 7 degrees of motion in, too.

The advances in medicine and technology within the next 20-30 years will be interesting to see.