#robit

𓏲ּ𝄢 Your honor, they are destined to be together 𐂯

[start id: a black and white drawing cropped from p.29 of the Usborne Guide to Computer and Video Games (1982). The image shows a chessboard with lights and mechanical arm built in.

Image caption reads: "The robot arm on this chess-board makes all the computer's moves, and removes your pieces when the computer captures them. If the computer loses the game, it flings its arm about, flashes its lights and shrieks." end id.]

I assumed this emotionally dysregulated chess robot was just a 1980s fever dream, but apparently it exists, and glories in the name of "The Novag Robot Adversary":

Quoth the gorgeously Web 1.0 (but still updating in 2023?!) Chess Computer UK:

The Novag Robot Adversary is the most iconic of chess computers. There are several reasons. Firstly, for a product of 1982, its startling futuristic appearance. Secondly the robot arm which in terms of robotic character, comparative speed and range of movement is extraordinary for a consumer product. Thirdly the variety of functions - including autoplay, automatic setting up of the pieces for a new game, trace and review, best move, sound, lights, printer support, and not forgetting the tantrums produced by the ‘emotions’ button which involve waving of the arm, flashing lights and noisy sound. These functions all contribute towards a very impressive and entertaining machine, which was outstanding when it was first sold, and has not been bettered since.

That page also has videos of the machine in action, including this heart-rending footage of it losing its shit:

I am inordinately happy to learn about this. -- July 2025 Update: This post is my first (and so far only) one to get any notes. My midnight rambling while deliriously tired and anxious due to work travel in May 2023 got picked up by @derinthescarletpescatarian and spread to the various fandoms of cute little guys, and it has been utterly heartwarming to watch over the last two years. Thanks to everyone who added their comments in the tags, I've extracted some of my favourites below:

My absolute favourite (which I sadly did not screenshot) was something like "what having no vag does to a mfer".

Technically still wip design wise but I'm loving Amp so much

BUT ENJOY AN AROACE ROBIT!

I keep forgetting to update Tumblr too about things (I scroll a lot of Tumblr but forget the updating part oops). Paperbacks are in and out to backers, hardcovers are on their way to me, and I will be closing the pre-order store likely this weekend. You can order the book via IngramSpark (this is a direct link, paperback and hardcover), Amazon, B&N, or request it from your favorite bookstore or library (pls do this) at any time, but the pre-order store comes directly from me and has a discounted rate for physical copies. You won't get goodies like neat stickers if you order from the other place. ;)

As a reminder, this is what my silly little book is about:

When a robot built for construction work first sees an angular, sleek prototype military robot slink onto the base he’s working outside of, he immediately falls in love. The problem is, only anomalous bots understand the concept of love, and the lowly laborbot has not deviated from his default programming once. So he thinks, anyway. When the laborbot is scheduled for decommission, the military bot cannot possibly live without him, and the two bots set out on a path to find the fabled anomalous robot utopia Root.

Everyone has been SO supportive and amazing so far with my lil guys. You have all been AMAZING and I thank you for that! <3 <3

As a small reminder, if you have read this thing and you loved it, reviews, especially on Amazon, can help me get listed in top 100 lists, go out on newsletters, and generally keep the awesome vibe going. I think I've heard books with 50 and more reviews get these things on Amazon, so if you have a moment to leave a review – even if it's just a star rating and no text – I'd be so so SO grateful.