What is Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics? - Definition from Whatis.com

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Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics

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Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics

Science-fiction author Isaac Asimov is often given credit for being the first person to use the term robotics in a short story composed in the 1940s. In the story, Asimov suggested three principles to guide the behavior of robots and smart machines. Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics, as they are called, have survived to the present:

1. Robots must never harm human beings or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. Robots must follow instructions from humans without violating rule 1.
3. Robots must protect themselves without violating the other rules.

Also see artificial intelligence, mechatronics, nanorobot, and robot.

Related glossary terms: ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), spaghetti code, DC (direct current), CASE (computer-aided software engineering), ATX, Business Process Management Initiative (BPMI), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), Communication and Networking Riser (CNR), British thermal unit (Btu), ADAT (Alesis Digital Audio Tape)

Contributor(s): John Barefield

This was last updated in February 2001

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- At the Australian National University, Roger Clarke examines the implications of Asimov's Laws for information technology.

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