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'No, I'm Not A Robot' - Robot

Robots have capabilities that we are only beginning to explore - including the ability to perform what seem to be human actions.

This was all settled (in science fiction) in 1931 by Nat Schachner and Al Zagat in The Revolt of the Machines:


(The Master Machine from 'The Revolt of the Machines' )

Keston strode to the canvas screen and pulled a cord. The great canvas curtains rolled back. “Here is the machine, my Lords!” His face was lit with the glow of pride of achievement. His voice had lost its reverence. Rapidly he continued: “The head of this contrivance is a bank of photo and sono-electric cells, each facet focussed on one of the screens. Through a nerve-system of copper filaments any combination of lights and sounds will actuate the proper arm which will shoot out to the required bank of buttons and press the ones necessary to meet any particular demand.

The chief wheeled to the master machine and pressed a button. Instantly, the hundreds of dangling arms telescoped out, each to a button bank where a moment before a prolat had labored. And, with a weird simulation of life, the ten forked ends of each arm commenced a rattling pressing of the buttons.

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