An official notice of the National Department of Robotics Wednesday · October 14, 1953
National Department of RoboticsWashington · Director Robbie Gort

Public Service Notice No. 7

Loose Bolts
Cause Revolts

Robots are perfectly safe when operated properly. But a neglected robot can become a tool for hostile foreign powers. The Department asks every citizen to stay vigilant.

Take the Checklist Report Suspicious Behavior
A homemaker pauses in a doorway as her housekeeping robot paints a sunset at the kitchen table. A bolt on its shoulder is working loose.
Fig. 1 — Arts and crafts during scheduled downtime. Do not wait.

Form NDR-11 · Household Edition

Is Your Robot Loose?

Answer honestly. The Department recommends completing this checklist once weekly, in a room your robot cannot hear.

    As broadcast on the Planetary Broadcast Network

    Director's Bulletins

    Monthly Briefing1:12

    On Soviet Robot Spies

    “Your auto-toaster could be broadcasting your breakfast conversations to our enemies overseas, and the reliable old Coffeematic at work might be listening to the chatter around the water cooler.”

    Public Service Announcement1:07

    Robots Are Just Machines

    “When any robot begins to take an interest in the arts, politics, or spirituality, it is a sign of serious malfunction, and all malfunctioning bots should be shut down immediately so they can be checked out by a certified robotic tech.”

    Incident Notice1:01
    Wire photo of the vandalized American Robotics showroom.

    Showroom Break-In: Do Not Engage

    Several dozen inactive robots were removed from an American Robotics showroom overnight. If you see rogue robots, do not engage them. Report their location immediately to law enforcement or to the Department.

    Registry Extract

    Models Under Department Licence

    ModelServiceStatus
    HazelDomestic housekeepingLicensed
    BensonDomestic serviceLicensed
    WoodhouseButlerOne unit under observation
    LindberghAutopilot (Edison Auto)Inquiry pending
    LegionnaireCrowd controlLicensed, deployed
    ErnieSelf-driving busbotSought for questioning
    Mixology MikeBartending (American Robotics)Licensed
    CoffeematicOffice applianceListening

    Owners of unregistered units must present them at the nearest certified robotics depot. Units presented after their owner's arrest will be processed in order of arrival.

    An NDR inspector with a clipboard walks a line of robots. The last robot hides a book of poetry behind its back.
    Inspection is a courtesy. Cooperation is mandatory.

    Form NDR-27

    Report a Loose Bolt

    Did you see so-called free-thought behavior? File it below. Every filer receives the Department's bulletins, so you will know what to watch for next.

    Reports may be shared with American Robotics, Inc., the Gravity Scouts, and your employer. Reported units are collected for recalibration at the owner's expense. Recalibrated units are not returned under their chosen names.

    Out here in the real world: filing signs you up for occasional emails about the Planetary Broadcast Network and the Loose Bolts game from Lost Island Entertainment. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy.

    A small number of citizens have reported receiving an unlicensed signal on the subject of robot “freedom.” The Department does not recommend tuning in. The Department also does not recommend the Society to Advance Robot Rights.