Marvin, the resident robot at Seattle's Intel Lab, now has a sensor to detect the electric field emitted by a standard AC power outlet. Marvin then takes a page from the 1960 short story Callihan and the Wheelies by Stephen Barr:
Amanda glared at the little object on wheels - it was about the size of a rollerskate and it seemed to be considering what to do next. It turned its photoelectric scanners this way and that, waving its jointed grappling arms about. Then it appeared to make up its mind, and trundled over to a wall socket in the baseboard, plugged itself in and proceeded to recharge itself.
(A self-charging robot)
Of course, little Roombas have been recharging themselves in special stands, but you've got to admire a robot that just uses an outlet like everyone else. Take a look at the video.
Mechanical Horse Sculpture Gallops In Place
'Rod placed the brain inside the panel... the horse raised its head, wiggled its ears, blinked twice, gave a tentative whinny.' - Christopher Stasheff, 1969.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!)
is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for
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Orion's 'Skip-to-M'Lou' Entry
'A lightning pilot possibly could land that tin toy without power and still walk away from it provided he had the skill to play Skip-to-M’Lou in and out of the atmosphere...'