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Intelligence Horizon

  • ISBN-13: 9780645486018
  • Publisher: TALE PUBLISHING
    Imprint: TALE PUBLISHING
  • By R. Andrew Russell
  • Price: AUD $37.95
  • Stock: 5 in stock
  • Availability: Order will be despatched as soon as possible.
  • Local release date: 25/11/2022
  • Format: Paperback (229.00mm X 152.00mm) 316 pages Weight: 480g
  • Categories: Science fiction [FL]
Description
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Biography
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‘We’re limited in how far into the future we can predict human attitudes to robots. I like to think of this as the intelligence horizon… Hopefully, beyond this horizon, intelligent robots may be accepted as having at least some rights.’ The future for Anastasia and Robert is balanced on a knife-edge. They are key developers of scanning technology used to copy the structure of the human brain and load it into intelligent robots. Their malevolent employer, Augustin, plans to kill them if they try to leave, but also when they outlive their usefulness. They also come under threat from an organisation intent on the elimination of all advanced robots. Meanwhile, two intelligent robots, Rob and Sam-renamed-Penny, have been sent to Mars to help Augustin achieve his all-consuming dream. Can they fend-off attacks by trans-planetary bandits, and use all of their cunning to outwit Augustin?
In retrospect, the first book I can remember has probably exerted a strong influence on the course of my life. Time has faded many of the details, but certainly it was an illustrated story featuring a mechanical alarm clock. The dial incorporated a beaming smile and, making it even more appealing, the clock could speak. The idea of a talking clock was totally fascinating and I had to have one. Using cardboard and coloured pencils I attempted to recreate this mechanical friend, but my version fell far short of matching the one from the story. In spite of this setback, my passion for developing animate mechanisms continued, leading to a career in robotics research. My research robots had many capabilities such as communicating using puffs of air, licking the floor to follow chemical trails or burrowing through the ground searching for chemical leaks. However, none looked remotely like an alarm clock or could hold a conversation. Having moved away from research my fascination with robotics has turned a full circle. Now I enjoy imagining and writing stories about all manner of intelligent robots.
Publicity: Radio and online author interviews, author talks in libraries, publisher website, social media.
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