You hear a lot about robots these days. Robots are building cars, assembling houses, and moving warehouse freight. Robots are even folding laundry. Not in my house, but I’ve seen them being tested in hotels. Our house is robot free for now, but it’s only a matter of time.
With the rise of robots, it was only a matter of time before people started making robot pets. You can find very realistic looking robot cats and dogs. I’ve seen a robot hedgehog as well. Most of the companies that sell these do not offer a realistic robot falcons or burros, which if you’ve been a subscriber for any length of time, you know I’ve been trying to acquire. I figure if I could find a robot version, most (but not all) of my HOA’s objections would be rendered moot.
However, I haven’t been able to convince any of the toy makers to produce a robot falcon or burro for home use. They usually hang up on me when I call customer service. Sometimes they ask why I’m allowed to use the phone at the facility where I’m currently a patient. They are always amazed to find I’m a free-range nut.
Anyway, I think it’s hypocritical for the world to think I’m crazy when there is an American university that is actively trying to create a robot cockroach. Yes, you read that correctly. Cal Berkley has a program run by Professor Robert J. Full that has developed a 75-millimeter-tall cockroach. Most people spend their lives trying to avoid and/or kill cockroaches. Professor Full wants to build robotic ones!
I have mixed emotions about Professor Full’s work. Part of me is frightened of the idea a grown scientist developing robot cockroaches and the implications of a weaponized cockroach army. But then I read where he once put tiny jetpacks on actual live cockroaches and I thought, this is the type of deranged genius that I could hang out with!
As for me, I’ll keep working on the toy manufacturers to develop the robot falcon. Because if there are going to be robot insects and rodents, we’re going to need robot birds of prey and other predators to take them out. It’s the cycle of (robot) life.
Carry on, Citizens!
