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.

 

Technovelgy.com is devoted to the creative inventions of science fiction authors and movie makers. Look for the Science Fiction Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary of Science Fiction Inventions, the Timeline of Science Fiction Inventions, or see what's New.
Find
new authors and technologies - Shop for yourself, your library and your lab.

 

 

 

 

Science Fiction
in the News

Quaise Uses Beams Of Energy To Dig Geothermal Wells
re: Frank Stockton
(7/1/2025)

Robots Repair And Modify Themselves
re: Harry Harrison
(6/29/2025)

Waymo And Tesla 'Autonomous Cabs' Are Piloted By Remote Drivers
re: Philip K Dick
(6/27/2025)

Robot Janitors Get To Work
re: Philip K. Dick
(6/25/2025)

Robots Learn To Install Charged Batteries Into Themselves
re: Not known.
(6/23/2025)

Robot Rabbits Entice Pythons
re: JW Groves
(6/21/2025)

LLM 'Cognitive Core' Now Evolving
re: Philip K. Dick
(6/19/2025)

Has Elon Musk Given Up On Mars?
re: Robert Heinlein
(6/17/2025)

Bacteria Turns Plastic Into Pain Relief? That Gives Me An Idea.
re: Brian W. Aldiss
(6/15/2025)

When Your Child's Best Friend Is An AI
re: Clifford Simak
(6/13/2025)

China's Drone Mothership Can Carry 100 Drones
re: Daniel Suarez
(6/11/2025)

Drones Recharge In Mid-Air Like Jets Refuel!
re: Neal Stephenson
(6/9/2025)

Australian Authors Reject AI Training Of Llama
re: Anthony Boucher
(6/7/2025)

Is China Mining Helium-3 On The Moon's Farside?
re: Ray Cummings
(6/5/2025)

More SF in the News

Home | Glossary | Invention Timeline | Category | New | Contact Us | FAQ | Advertise |
Technovelgy.com - where science meets fiction™

Copyright© Technovelgy LLC; all rights reserved.