# Introduction

Mankind has been fascinated with automation since time immemorial.

Tales of artificial beings and mechanical devices abound from Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt. Archytas of Tarentum created a majestic [mechanical bird](#user-content-fn-1)[^1],¹ often credited as the first automata. The Banu Musa brothers and Al Jazari published books on [ingenious machines](#user-content-fn-2)[^2],² and created wooden prototypes like the [elephant clock](#user-content-fn-3)[^3].³

Leonardo Da Vinci designed a [robot knight](#user-content-fn-4)[^4]⁴ that could independently maneuver its mechanical appendages, and Descartes was known to have been fascinated with automata[^5].⁵ At the turn of the 20th century Nikola Tesla demonstrated a [radio operated boat](#user-content-fn-6)[^6],⁶ showcasing early innovations in robotic control systems.

In 1863, Samuel Butler published "Darwin among the Machines," an article[^7]⁷ suggesting that machines might eventually become conscious and supplant humans. In it he introduced the idea of classifying robots but considered the undertaking beyond his capabilities:

{% hint style="info" %}
"We regret deeply that our knowledge both of natural history and of machinery is too small to enable us to undertake the gigantic task of classifying machines into the genera and sub-genera, species, varieties and sub-varieties, and so forth...We can only point out this field for investigation..."
{% endhint %}

Over a century and a half later, I have endeavored to undertake this critical task. It has never been more important and pertinent, as a precursor to the automation age that is upon us.

As a roboticist, inventor of the [self-driving store](#user-content-fn-8)[^8] ,⁸ mentor at Singularity University, and robotics expert to Wefunder, I have spent the better part of a decade working in the robotics field and pondering the nature of robots. *Do they deserve to be defined by biological markers? How can we differentiate between a mechanical android versus one with synthetic skin? Are robots simply advanced machines that serve as tools for humanity? Will they eventually join the fabric of human society as our agents, advisors, assistants, maids, nurses, and partners? Will they be our servants, equals or superiors? Will we merge with them to become human-robot hybrids? When robots become superintelligent will they be regarded as sentient? How can we even define sentience? What is a robot?*

In this treatise I aim to better define what a robot truly is and find answers to these questions by exploring the order and evolution of robotkind. From mere automatons to sophisticated androids, robotkind is poised to erupt in the coming years. Rapid advances in artificial intelligence are giving robots the capacity for thought, and a level of social interaction never before possible.

Systema Robotica serves as humanity’s guide to a better understanding and coexistence with robots in a future of non-human superintelligences. The treatise is broken down into three sections:

1\. **Natura Robotica**—Defining the true nature of robots, as compared to machines, artificial intelligence, humans, and cyborgs

2\. **Structura Robotica**—Proposing three evolutionary realms to better classify past, present, and future robots in the definitive Robot Taxonomy

3\. **Futura Robotica**—Exploring the societal roles of robots, artificial superintelligence, and sentience in robots

[^1]: Huffman, Carl A. Archytas of Tarentum: Pythagorean, Philosopher and Mathematician King. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005.

[^2]: Banu Musa, Muhammad ibn, Ahmad ibn Musa, and al-Hasan ibn Musa. The Book of Ingenious Devices (Kitab al-Hiyal). Translated and annotated by Donald R. Hill. Dordrecht: Reidel, 1979.

[^3]: Al-Jazari, Ibn al-Razzaz. The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices. Translated and annotated by Donald R. Hill. Dordrecht: Reidel, 1974.

[^4]: Rosheim, Mark E. Leonardo's Lost Robots. Berlin: Springer, 2006.

[^5]: Powell, Betty. “Descartes’ Machines.” *Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society*, vol. 71, 1970, pp. 209–22.

[^6]: Tesla, Nikola. "The Problem of Increasing Human Energy." The Century Magazine, June 1900, pp. 175-211.

[^7]: Butler, Samuel. "Darwin among the Machines." The Press, 13 June 1863, Christchurch, New Zealand.

[^8]: Ahmed, Syed Ali, et al. "One tap/command grocery ordering via self-driving mini marts and seamless checkout-free technology." U.S. Patent 11,227,270, 18 Jan. 2022.