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From: dan@quark.nsc.com (Dan Hariton x5596)
Subject: Help: Functional Definition for Robot ?
Message-ID: <DAyBMy.I3G@voder.nsc.com>
Keywords: robot definition
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Reply-To: dan@galaxy.nsc.com
Organization: National Semiconductor Corporation
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 1995 20:30:34 GMT
Lines: 23

Hello All:

This is a question an observant 9-year-old asked me:

"Is the tea kettle a robot ?" In the context, this
question refered to the function of boiling water.

Background information:
I was explaining the dishwasher as being a robot,
i.e. doing work while we may rest. A friend observed
that a robot can be defined by

"its ability to stop by itself after the completion of its task".

Is this the only functional definition of a robot ?
Is it complete ? 

N.B. The word derives from russian, "rabota" means to <do> work.

Answers appreciated.

Thank you,
Dan.
