Robot or Not?

363: Cobot Redux

Unlike us, Listener Jerry has spent his entire career on robots. Listener Jerry helps us understand why the term “cobot” exists, and what it really means. Thank you, List

362: Robot? Pas robot?

Curiosity, c’est un robot! Robot de cuisine, ce n’est pas un robot! Thanks to Listener Erik and the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie. Hosts John Siracusa and Jason Sne

361: Car Wash

Is a car wash a building with machinery in it or a robot? This question allows us to flip the “episodes since ‘Robot or Not’ was about robots” sign back to zero. Hosts Jo

360: Douglas Adams

The Encyclopedia Galactica defines a robot as a mechanical apparatus designed to do the work of a man. The marketing division of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation define

359: Overseas

Is a place overseas if you don’t have to go over a sea to get there? Hosts John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

358: (Parenthetical) Song Titles

If you can’t hear part of this episode it’s because that part was in parentheses. Thanks to (Listener) Charlie for sending in this question. Hosts John Siracusa and Jason

357: More Boats

Listener Joseph is unclear about where rafts fit into the whole boat hierarchy. We also toss some kayaks, canoes, and submarines into the water. Hosts John Siracusa and J

356: Card Game

Listener Steven makes a lot of assumptions about what games are card games, but we set him straight. Hosts John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

355: Hikes and Walks

Listener Tim asks us about when a walk becomes a hike. Is it about topology? Degree of difficulty? Those seeking hard and fast rules may be frustrated by the result. Host

354: Tennis Robot (Derogatory)

Just in time for Wimbledon, Listener Muhammad provides a “tennis robot” for us to judge. We issue a judgment, but we’re not particularly happy about it. Hosts John Siracu

353: Stuffing/Dressing

Listener Wes has a Scotland-based observation about whether baked potatoes are stuffed or dressed. Seems straightforward, innit? Hosts John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

352: 'Wolf-Inspired' Robot

Listener Santiago wonders if a ‘wolf-inspired’ vehicle from Kawasaki is a robot, a metal horse, or just a vehicle. Hosts John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

351: Cobot

Listener Paul has heard the term “cobot” to refer to “collaborative robots,” but can a robot that requires a human to function really be a robot? Hosts John Siracusa and

350: Pasta Sauce

Listener Griffin wonders what you could put on pasta that would arguably make it a sauce. John probably considers this sacrilege, but here we are. Hosts John Siracusa and

349: Video Game

Listeners Mark and Matt wants to know if everything on a screen is a video game. Jason ponders the idea that a PDF printout of a crossword puzzle could be a video game. J

348: Colloquial Robot

Listener Matt has caught John in a trap, because once on ATP John referred to something as a robot that is not a robot. Does John use his own definitions in real life? Ar

347: Official

Unofficial Fan of “Robot or Not” Alexander wants to know what makes something official. Why are David Smith’s transcripts of The Talk Show “unofficial” if John Gruber lin

346: Pizza Wheel

Listener Ed doesn’t keep his pizza wheel in his knife, but it’s got a blade and cuts things. What makes a knife a knife? Hosts John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

345: Wearable Robot

Listener Caleb saw an ergonomics assistance backpack at a trade show, advertised as a robot. Can you wear… a robot? Hosts John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

344: Look-Up

Listener Jason used ChatGPT to find information that answered a colleague’s question. But did he “look it up?” Hosts John Siracusa and Jason Snell.