The Velvet Glove by Harry Harrison:
Science Fiction Inventions, Technology and Ideas

"New York was a bad town for robots this year. In fact, all over the country it was bad for robots..."

"SF writer and editor Harry Harrison explores a not too distant future where robots - particularly specialist robots who don't know their place - have quite a rough time of it. True, the Robot Equality Act had been passed - but so what?"

Wonderful short story details the adventures of Jon Venex, a robot with a special past and unique capabilities. An out-of-work robot has to take whatever work he can get; in this case, Jon takes a job that he should have left alone.

Select an invention:

Blue Collar Robot (Self-Repairing)
An autonomous robot required to find its own work.

Regen-Buds
Small collection of cells that can regrow into human limbs.

Undercover Detective Robot - who am I?
Specialized robot masquerades as different robot types to spy on criminals.

Underwater Robot
An autonomous mechanical for use underwater.

Vehicle Sleep Sensor
Better stay awake, the machines know if you're sleeping.

 

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Science Fiction
in the News

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Switzerland May Cap Population At Ten Million
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Project Silica Offers 'Long-Term' Digital Storage
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Can 'Tactical Umbrellas' Shield One From Drones
re: Frank Herbert
(3/25/2026)

Crystalline Structures In Space, You Say?
re: Gene Roddenberry
(3/23/2026)

Garçon! A Menu For Artemis II, S'il Vous Plaît
re: Jules Verne
(3/21/2026)

Amazing Photonic Crystal Light Sail
re: Cordwainer Smith
(3/19/2026)

Blue Collar AI Goes To Work To Mine Its Own Crypto
re: Harry Harrison
(3/17/2026)

Rogue AI Replicated Itself
re: Gregory Benford
(3/15/2026)

HandelBot Helps Two-Handed Robots Learn Piano
re: Herbert Goldstone
(3/13/2026)

Woven Fiber Electronic Skin For Robots
re: Harl VIncent
(2/11/2026)

When AI Takes Its First Breath
re: Various
(2/9/2026)

Chinese Aircar Light And Airy, Not For Blade Runners
re: Ridley Scott
(2/7/2026)

The Morphing Wheel And The Smartwheel
re: Neal Stephenson
(2/5/2026)

More SF in the News

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