Origin of the Robotki Robots

Robotki Robots are sculptures of robots created by Tim Warchocki. This particular type of art is called "found art". The term found art describes art created from the undisguised, but often modified, use of objects that are not normally considered art, often because they already have a non-art function. (Wikipedia)

There is no consensus on which machines qualify as robots, but there is general agreement among experts and the public that robots tend to do some or all of the following: move around, operate a mechanical limb, sense and manipulate their environment, and exhibit intelligent behavior, especially behavior which mimics humans or other animals. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, a robot is "any automatically operated machine that replaces human effort, though it may not resemble human beings in appearance or perform functions in a humanlike manner". Merriam-Webster describes a robot as a "machine that looks like a human being and performs various complex acts (as walking or talking) of a human being", or a "device that automatically performs complicated often repetitive tasks", or a "mechanism guided by automatic controls". However, I prefer the synopsis from a pioneer in industrial robotics - Joseph Engelberger: "I can't define a robot, but I know one when I see one.” (Wikipedia)

The word robot was introduced to the public by Czech writer Karel Čapek in his play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots), published in 1920. The play begins in a factory that makes artificial people called robots, but they are closer to the modern ideas of androids, creatures that can be mistaken for humans. Čapek himself did not coin the word. He wrote a short letter in reference to an etymology in the Oxford English Dictionary in which he named his brother, the painter and writer Josef Čapek, as its actual originator. (Wikipedia)

Not to be confused with the Polish word "robotki" (pronounced robot-kie) which means needlework, "robotki" (the robot) is derived from the word "robot" and gets its origins from the original Czech "robota" which denotes labor. Additionally in the South African Dutch dialect of Afrikaans the meaning "a small thing" is indicated by the ending "tjie". For example "kartjie" would be a small car, or seun (boy) is made into a small boy (very young) by seuntjie. The "tjie" at the end is pronounced "kie" with the "t" not pronounced. Hence, the word “robotki” (pronounced robo-kie, the “t” being silent) which means "little robot". In addition and by the strictest of coincidences, the combination of the artist's last name "Warchocki" (pronounced war-cha-kie) and "robot" also produces the dazzling name "Robotki". Either story is an acceptable lore.

These one-of-a-kind robot artworks are at your service. They are of course, harmless (unless another human uses them to do harm - like throwing it at you) and will comply with Isaac Asimov’s three rules of robotics:

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

2. A robot must obey any orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

In addition to being able to purchase Robotki Robots for yourself, you can also donate your used-up electronics, appliances, or spare parts of pretty much anything to the artist for possible future Robotki creations. Simply email me at warchocki@gmail.com.