In this brief sequence, the Optimus robot can achieve the same amazing result as my Shark vacuuming robot. Namely, it can charge itself.
It looks pretty much the same while doing it.
The earliest example that I know of in science fiction that shows a humanoid robot that can autonomously decide to charge itself and plug in can be found in the short story Masters of Chance, by William Morrison, published by Thrilling Wonder Stories in 1941:
The man whistled. A small one-purpose robot of the Martian type, with wheels instead of legs, rolled in.
“A drink for me and my pal,” the man ordered.
The robot brought in the drinks, and that reminded BrR-19. Seeing an energy outlet in one of the walls, he thrust in his charging arm to replenish his store of energy.
(Via the article on the charging arm)
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 10/17/2024)
Humanoid Robots Building Humanoid Robots
''Pardon me, Struthers,' he broke in suddenly... 'haven't you a section of the factory where only robot labor is employed?'' - Isaac Asimov (1940)
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Humanoid Robots Building Humanoid Robots
''Pardon me, Struthers,' he broke in suddenly... 'haven't you a section of the factory where only robot labor is employed?''
Stratospheric Solar Geoengineering From Harvard
'Pina2bo would have to operate full blast for many years to put as much SO2 into the stratosphere as its namesake had done in a few minutes.'