Mobile World Congress: Weird world of superfluous ideas driving the future

For every technological leap forward that changes how we live our lives, another which solves a problem seemingly nobody has is never far behind, writes Peter O’Dwyer

And so it was in Barcelona where, fresh from launching one of its finest smartphones, LG followed it up with a robot designed predominantly to entertain your cat. No, really.

The Seoul, South Korea, company decided to have a little fun on the opening day of Mobile World Congress by unveiling its Rolling Bot — a smartphone-controlled robot that roams your home when you can’t. The palm-sized sphere, which resembles Star Wars’ BB-8 and boasts an 8-megapixel camera, can control home appliances and monitor your home — but its main selling point appears to be its ability to keep your cat entertained while you’re out.