Amazon has been seeking to hire experts in mechanical engineering, robotics and software developers, fueling speculation thst the company plans to make a robot for the home.

The company's job adverts says that the new personnel will work on a "completely new best in class consumer product".

The new project is being strictly kept under wraps, although the job ads describe the new product as "lovable" and "essential", appearing to support reports earlier this year that a small group of employees at Amazon were developing a robot for the home. The company’s job website now displays more than 100 openings in Seattle and California for the project, suggesting that it is expanding its efforts in the space.

The job adverts show Amazon searching for developers experienced in creating applications that respond to voice or gestures, build companion apps for smartphones and design games that will "create the most engaging play experience for our customers".

It is also looking for mechanical and robotics experts who have experience working with international factories for mass production, using metal, plastic and cameras.

Other desirable skills include experts in computer vision and psychology academics to influence its design.

Bloomberg reported in April that Amazon was already working on home robots and that it would begin testing them in homes "later this year".

Amazon did not respond to a request for a comment.