The robots are coming, the robots are coming!

Abstract

Several years ago a film depicted the reaction of a small, isolated New England community to the appearance of a disabled Russian submarine and a group of confused Russian sailors. The townspeople reacted with fright and suspicion when they learned of the presence of these strange creatures in their midst. Fear motivated overreaction, and events occurred that were misguided and potentially dangerous. The situation was clarified only after some degree of familiarity and understanding was established between the two groups. In many ways, the introduction to the lay public of robotic machines has caused a similar reaction on the part of both the average man and to some degree the more knowledgeable individual. Confusion and a lack of understanding have caused a response to the