Servo - August 2012

Then

and

NOW

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Isaac Asimov

Inspiring Today’s Robots

by Tom Carroll

For anyone who has ever read about, dreamed about, or just thought about robots, the name Isaac Asimov usually comes to mind. Dr. Asimov passed away 10 years ago this past April, and left a legacy of over 500 books published. This prolific writer has had more influence on the field and science of robotics than perhaps any other person on Earth. Everyone I know who has any interest in robots always has their particular story or novel written by Asimov that first comes to mind. The short story, Robbie (also known as Strange Playfellow), published in the compilation of stories entitled I, Robot (Figure 1) is the one I always think of first.

Isaac Asimov.

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Robbie was a robot babysitter in a story that took place ‘way into the future of 1998.’ (The story was published in 1940, so set your mind on the world before WWII). Robbie was a large, metallic bipedal humanoid who was mute, but a perfect companion for little Gloria Weston — at least in her (and in her father, George Weston’s) opinion. Mrs. Weston hated the machine and was determined to get rid of it. As the story progresses, Robbie is finally taken away at the demands of Mrs. Weston, but much to the chagrin of young Gloria who becomes very depressed.

The Westons finally decided that Gloria had forgotten about Robbie, so they decide to have a family outing at the Museum of Science and Industry in nearby New York City. A talking robot was on display that took up 25 square yards of wires and coils. Suddenly realizing her missing, Mrs. Weston finds Gloria near the robot display asking the robot, “Mr. Robot, sir, have you seen Robbie?” Mrs. Weston chastises her daughter for wandering off.