"Robot: a machine that looks like a human being and performs various complex acts (as walking or talking) of a human being; also : a similar but fictional machine whose lack of capacity for human emotions is often emphasized. Etymology: Czech, from robota compulsory labor; akin to Old High German arabeit trouble, Latin orbus orphaned Date: 1923 " www.merriam-webster.com

"Let’s start with the three fundamental Rules of Robotics.... We have: one, a robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. Two, a robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. And three, a robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws." ISAAC ASIMOV, Astounding Science Fiction, Mar. 1942

"We are survival machines -- robot vehicles blindly programmed to preserve the selfish molecules known as genes." RICHARD DAWKINS, The Selfish Gene

"I visualize a time when we will be to robots what dogs are to humans, and I'm rooting for the machines." CLAUDE SHANNON, The Mathematical Theory of Communication