Robots: Legged service robots What it gets right about robotics: Distributed multi-robot coordination and control Recommended watching:  Silent Running is a must see for any robotics aficionado. The whole family can watch but little ones (and non-scifi fans) will likely be bored out of their minds. Treat it as a MST3K event to keep the family or friends engaged.

Robotics Through Science Fiction

RTSF review | Silent Running

What it gets right about robots: Physical robot design, the difficulties of following natural language directionsRecommendation: Gather the kids and their friends, make a LOT of popcorn, and enjoy!

RTSF Review | Short Circuit

What it gets right about robots: telecommuting, embodied mediationRecommendation: It’s Scalzi. And robots. Do I need to say more? Stop what you’re doing and read these droll, delightful books now. And you don’t have to read the books in order, but it is more fun that way.

RTSF Review | Lock In + Head On by John Scalzi

Robots:  humanoid What it gets right about robots:  the difficulties of dexterous grasping    Recommendation:  Fix yourself a highball and be grateful you don’t have to try to pick up the glass with Mack Megaton’s less than dexterous hands.  Listen to the audible version for the 1940’s radio serial vibe. 

RTSF Review | "The Automatic Detective"

Robots: Humanoids, squarish service bots, those floating creepy military droids   What it gets right about robotics:  Not much beyond establishing that a robot can have a female voice and not be a sexbot.   Recommended watching: Wait until the crowds thin down and you can get a good seat, then grab some popcorn and enjoy L3-37.  

RTSF Review | "Solo: A Star Wars Story"

What it gets right about robots: teleoperationRecommendation: Watch it! It’s a family friendly mash up of Rocky and absentee father bonding with son tropes with lots of great actors and good effects. 

RTSF Review | Real Steel

What if Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang was a robot assigned to “help” people after the Robot Uprising? And what if the robot, in a classic sitcom case of mistaken identity, became part of the human revolution to thwart the Robot Uprising?

The RTSF review | 'The Wrong Unit' by Rob Dircks

Robots:  static walker ground robotWhat it gets right about robotics:  locomotion and reliability.  Plus, that robotics requires a LOT of coffee.   Recommended watching: Grab some popcorn and the kids for family movie night!  Mount Kilauea in Hawaii is erupting so it’s the perfect time to dust off Dante’s Peak, the under-rated disaster movie, and watch Spider Legs the robot walks away with the movie. 

RTSF review | 'Dante's Peak'

Robots: service ‘bots, drones, humanoidsRecommendation: Get it! The good news is that there is no sophomore slump, volume 2 of The MurderBot Diaries is as fun as the first one. So reading it is not murdering time, it’s a stay-cation!

The RTSF review | 'Artificial condition' by Martha Wells

Robots: service ‘bots, human-robot interaction, emotions, software architectureRecommendation: Take a break from reading dark, ponderous sci-fi and enjoy a sci-fi/fantasy hybrid that has as many memorable characters and funny scenes as Avengers: Infinity Wars. And remember to be nice to robots!

RTSF Review | The Prey of Gods by Nicky Drayden | Episode 16

The Robotics Through Science Fiction Podcast is back and today I'm with Howard Chizeck, a Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Washington, a leading roboticist and a lover of science fiction

The RTSF Podcast | Episode 15 | Howard Chizeck

This week on the RTSF podcast, I talk to Elizabeth bear about her amazing book, Tideline.

The RTSF Podcast | Episode 15 | Elizabeth Bear

The Robotics Through Science Fiction podcast returns! Today we're joined by the wonderful Daniel Suarez.

The RTSF Podcast | Episode 14 | Daniel Suarez

The Robotics Through Science Fiction podcast returns! Today we're joined by the wonderful Aliette de Bodard

The RTSF Podcast | Episode 13 | Aliette de Bodard

The Robotics Through Science Fiction podcast returns! Today we're joined by the wonderful Nicky Drayden

The RTSF Podcast | Episode 12 | Nicky Drayden

Reviews, interviews and discussions about the world of AI, SciFi and robotics. Lead by award winning author Dr Robin Murphy, this podcast will give an easy and understandble view into the world of robotics and their use in books and movies.

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Robotics Through Science Fiction

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