Robots for Work and Fun

In chapters such as “Reliable Robo-workers,” “Robo-pets, ,” and “The Robot Business, ,” Parker’s colorful, detailed work addresses the myriad different kinds of work that robots already do, how they are currently used as toys, and the possibilities—good and bad—for the future. The information presented in succinct paragraphs and short sidebars also makes clear what is not a robot, the extent of human involvement with the machines, and how people and robots compare at completing various tasks. Hobbyists, the technically minded, and curious browsers will find the many applications described in this work amazing, and will pore over the photographs—sometimes several per page—of robots in every setting from factories to movie sets. An extra-detailed glossary is a plus in this space-age work, as is the quality online further-reading list.