1. A robot-implemented method of manipulating objects based on visual recognition thereof, the method comprising causing a robot to execute steps comprising: (a) selecting an object in a camera field of view; (b) using a visual model to computationally identify at least a class of the object based on visual detection of general characteristics associated with the object class by prior training; (c) automatically determining whether an object-specific manipulation routine is stored in association with the stored representation; and (d) if so, using a controller to execute the object-specific manipulation routine, and if not, using a controller to execute a generic manipulation routine according to the object class.