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"[Science fiction] is the one literary medium left in which we have a free hand. We can do any damn thing we please."
- Alfred Bester
 |
| Delivery Robot | ||
| A small autonomous device that will bring goods directly to a person or place. |
As far as I know, the earliest mention of the phrase "delivery robot"
| At first I thought that my
brother Clark had managed
one of his more charlatanous
machinations of malevolent
legerdemain. But fortunately
(the only fortunate thing
about the whole miserable
mess) I soon perceived that it
was impossible for him to be
in fact guilty no matter what
devious subversions roil his
id. Unless he has managed to
invent and build in secret a
time machine, which I misdoubt he would do if he could
. . .nor am I prepared to offer
odds that he can’t. Not since
the time he rewired the delivery robot so that it would
serve him midnight snacks
and charge them to my code
number without (so far as
anyone could ever prove) disturbing the company’s seal on
the control box.
We’ll never know how he did that one, because despite the fact that the company offered to Forgive All and pay a cash bonus to boot if only he would please tell them how he managed to beat their unbeatable seal — despite this, Clark just looked blank and would not talk. |
| Technovelgy from Podkayne of Mars,
by Robert Heinlein. Published by Worlds of IF in 1962 Additional resources -
|
Here's another use of this idea, from Heavenly Gifts (1963) by Aaron Kolom.
Philip K. Dick uses it in Project Plowshare (1966):
“Yes?” Febbs inquired.
The ’stant mail robot whirred, "Parcel for Mr. Surley Grant Febbs. Registered. Sign here if you are Mr. Febbs or if not Mr. Febbs then on line two instead.” It presented a form, pen and flat surface of itself on which to scribble.
Laying down the hammer Febbs said, turning briefly to the other five concomodies, “It’s okay. More tools we ordered, probably.” He signed the form, and the autonomic ’stant mail delivery robot handed him a brown-paper-wrapped package.
Compare to the robodore from Robot Unwanted (1952) by Daniel Keyes and dope mule robot from Heavy Weather (1994) by Bruce Sterling.
Tai’s expression was one of exaggerated innocence. “Everything is automatic. Radio orders for goods are received, translated and filled. with robot delivery.” He winked at his partner.
A spic-and-span-new shiny autonomic ’stant mail delivery robot stood there, waiting.
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Additional
resources:
More Ideas
and Technology from Podkayne of Mars
More Ideas
and Technology by Robert Heinlein
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Tech news articles related to works by Robert Heinlein
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- Waymo Autonomous Cab Hits Autonomous Delivery Robot
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| Mornine Sales Robot |
| Bipedal Robot Floats Gently While Walking |
| YES!! Remote Teleoperated Robots predicted by Technovelgy! |
| Will Robots Ever Fold Landry? |
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