Steve the Steampunk Robot

I didn’t intend for this month’s column to be another update on the 21st Century Robot Project, but I couldn’t resist. The project encourages everyone to imagine, design, 3D print, build, and program their own robot. Robots should be easy to build and as customizable as your smartphone. I’ve been chronicling the project in this column because science fiction prototyping (SFP) plays a big part in the imagining and building of these new kinds of robots. I visited the Oregon Coast over Memorial Day weekend. While walking back from the beach one day, my friend’s eight-year-old son, Cole, looked up at me and said, “My dad tells me you build robots.” I smiled, a little shocked, and said, “Why yes, I do build robots.” “Hmmmm. ...” Cole nodded as if he had more to say but remained silent. “Do you want to build a robot?” I asked. “I think I’m too young,” he replied. “Nobody’s too young to build a robot,” I said. “Anyone can build my robots, but first you have to imagine your robot. You have to give your robot a name. What’s your robot’s name?” Cole looked up at me as we walked. He’s a slender kid with freckles sprinkled across his nose. After a long pause, he answered, “I don’t know.” I encouraged him: “Think about what your robot would do that no one else’s would. When we get back to the house I’ll show you robots that other kids about your age designed.” (See “Imagining and Building Robots (in Capes!),” Computer, vol. 47, no. 11, 2014, pp. 79–81.) Cole didn’t smile. He was already thinking. He picked up the pace and took his mom’s hand as we made our way back to the house.