Science Fiction Dictionary
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

Latest By
Category:


Armor
Artificial Intelligence
Biology
Clothing
Communication
Computers
Culture
Data Storage
Displays
Engineering
Entertainment
Food
Input Devices
Lifestyle
Living Space
Manufacturing
Material
Media
Medical
Miscellaneous
Robotics
Security
Space Tech
Spacecraft
Surveillance
Transportation
Travel
Vehicle
Virtual Person
Warfare
Weapon
Work

"Science fiction writers foresee the inevitable, and although problems and catastrophes may be inevitable, solutions are not."
- Isaac Asimov

Robot Dog  
  A mechanical, robotic dog.  

First direct use of the phrase 'robot dog' as far as I know in science fiction.

You have not yet demonstrated that you can transfer your ego to this brain, or that it will govern a robot once it is intailed [sic].”

“Suppose you leave that to me. I have demonstrated it to my own satisfaction. I have transferred the ego of a dog to a synthetic dog brain in the skull case of a robot dog. Behold.”

He snapped his fingers, and a lean, rangy hound rose from the corner in which it had been lying, stretched, yawned, and came trotting toward him.

“A robot dog!”

“Exactly. And Cerberus, as I call him, because he has been brought back from the very gates of hell, acts exactly like a living dog, as you can plainly see. Yet I transferred nothing physical from the living dog. Every part of him is synthetic, even to his brain.”

“And how did you make this remarkable transfer?”

“With my telastral projector — the machine which will, when the time comes, transfer my ego to the brain you see in the solution before me.

Technovelgy from The Iron World, by Otis Adelbert Kline.
Published by Thrilling Wonder Stories in 1937
Additional resources -

Another complete and more detailed use of this idea appeared in Gramp and his Dog, by Frank Quattrocchi, published by Astounding Science Fiction in 1952:

Stranton bent down and examined the robot dog. John had evidently cut the switch on the intricate machine while it was in the midst of some sort of action. Its head was raised and its feet were still extended for standing. Beautiful job. He touched the synthetic fur of the nose. It was properly stiff.

The eyes were especially realistic. Although they were actually tiny image receptors for the computer-brain they were nevertheless ornamental. The ears were likewise excellently constructed.

Somewhere under the large hairy ear flaps there were a pair of tiny microphones which probably were tuned to a real dog’s sonic sensitivity — or even beyond.

The company’s label was still in place on a chain around the robot’s neck. Mark IV — Stranton remembered reading an advertisement regarding this model. It carried the most extensive — and expensive — computing device for its size in existence. He found himself wondering if the computer was actually contained in the robot’s head. Probably it was not. Not all of it anyway.


('Gramp and his Dog' by Frank Quattrocchi)

He allowed his hand to run experimentally over the concealed panel of studs under the fur of the robot’s belly. He pressed one of the studs.

Instantly the animal came alive. It rolled over quickly and retracted its legs. Almost at once it was on its feet. The head swung from side to side only briefly before coming to rest with the eyes glaring at him. Stranton felt the hair rise on the back of his neck. The dog rocked backward into a crouch, its hind legs cocked. It began a low growl, producing it deep in the mechanical throat.

His cousin had said something about a Watchdog pattern — They had simply cut the power switch — he had turned it on again!

Compare to the electric cat from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968) by Philip K. Dick.

Comment/Join this discussion ( 0 ) | RSS/XML | Blog This |

Additional resources:
  More Ideas and Technology from The Iron World
  More Ideas and Technology by Otis Adelbert Kline
  Tech news articles related to The Iron World
  Tech news articles related to works by Otis Adelbert Kline

Robot Dog-related news articles:
  - Feisty Little Robot Dog Cheaper Than Boston Dynamics
  - DroneDog Ground Security Robot Dogs From Asylon
  - Ghost Robotics Developing Robotic Dog Border Guard
  - Laika Concept Robotic Dog Companion

Articles related to Robotics
Micro-Robots Are Smallest, Fully Functional
DIY Robotic Hand Made After Loss Of Fingers
Robot Snakes No Longer Stopped By Stairs
Challenges Of Two-Armed Robots

Want to Contribute an Item? It's easy:
Get the name of the item, a quote, the book's name and the author's name, and Add it here.

<Previous
Next>

Google
  Web TechNovelgy.com   

 

 

Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Science Fiction Invention Timeline, or see what's New.

 

 

 

 

Science Fiction Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's   1950's
1960's   1970's
1980's   1990's
2000's   2010's

Science Fiction in the News

Europa Clipper Plate Carries A Special Message
'...a universal cryptogram — yet it is one which can be interpreted by any intelligent creature on any planet in the Solar System!'

Micro-Robots Are Smallest, Fully Functional
'With a whir, the Scarab shot from the concealing shadows of the corner where it had hidden itself.'

AI Enhances Images Your Brain Sees
'I could have sworn the psychomat showed pictures almost as sharp and detailed as reality itself'

Illustrating Classic Heinlein With AI
'Stasis, cold sleep, hibernation, hypothermia, reduced metabolism, call it what you will - the logistics-medicine research teams had found a way to stack people like cordwood and use them when needed.'

Deflector Plasma Screen For Drones ala Star Wars
'If the enemy persists in attacking or even intensifies their power, the density of the plasma in space will suddenly increase, causing it to reflect most of the incoming energy like a mirror.'

DIY Robotic Hand Made After Loss Of Fingers
'I made them... with the fine work of the watchmaker...'

Cheap Drunk Driver Detection From UofM
"Look, I can drive... Start, darn it!"

Can A Human Land A SpaceX Rocket On Its Tail?
'If she starts to roll sideways — blooey! The underjets only hold you up when they’re pointing down, you know.'

Robot Snakes No Longer Stopped By Stairs
'...she dropped her hands from the wheel, took the robot snake from his box.'

Has Turkey Been Stealing Rain From Iran?
Can one country take another's rain?

More SF in the News

More Beyond Technovelgy

Home | Glossary | Science Fiction Timeline | Category | New | Contact Us | FAQ | Advertise |
Technovelgy.com - where science meets fiction™

Copyright© Technovelgy LLC; all rights reserved.