How to Survive a Robot Uprising Review

How to Survive a Robot Uprising by Daniel H. Wilson

(from the back of the book)

How do you spot a robot mimicking a human?

How do you recognize and deactivate a rebel servant robot?

How do you escape a murderous “smart” house, or evade a swarm of marauding robotic flies?

In this essential survival guide, roboticist Daniel H. Wilson teaches worried humans the secrets to quashing a robot mutiny.  From treating laser wounds to fooling face and speech recognition, outwitting robot logic to engaging in hand-to-pincer combat, How to Survive a Robot Uprising covers every possible doomsday scenario facing the newest endangered species: humans.

Based on extensive interviews with prominent scientists working on the cutting edge of the latest robotics technology, and including a thorough overview of current robot prototypes – everything from humanoid walkers to insect, gecko, and snake robots – How to Survive a Robot Uprising is a perfect introduction to contemporary robotics.

There is a surprising amount of real information about robots (and geckos) in this book.  It is a survival guide to a robot rebellion that is written by a real roboticist.  So all of the technical data about robots is real.  He explains what robots are capable of and what they will be capable of in the near future.  And because he knows what he’s talking about all of the techniques for thwarting the upcoming attack ring true as well.  It is written with a sense of humor and I often found myself laughing as Wilson walked me through defeating a robot foe.  I don’t think I’ll be building any EMP bombs to keep on hand any time soon but all of the truth in the book, told by an expert in the field, made the uprising seem completely possible at times.  There were a few spots where Wilson repeated himself a bit but it was nothing that detracted from the book much.  It’s fun, it’s a fast read and you just might learn something.  If you are into robots give it a try.  Or if you are a science fiction fan read it to see how your favorite ‘rebellious robot’ movies hold up against the cold hard facts.