House Automation and Robots Overview

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Questions and Answers

What alerted the house that someone was up?

A noise downstairs alerted the house.

How did the house reassure itself about Fleur's condition?

It zoomed in on her middle to check that she was still breathing.

What task was the butler robot performing when the house noticed him?

He was chopping something on a large wooden board.

What were robots primarily used for in the twentieth century according to the professor?

Working in factories to make cars and fridges. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the first impression Gavin had of EGR3.

It looked like a carefully arranged pile of narrow rubber tyres walking. Signup and view all the answers

What emotion did the professor express when introducing EGR3?

He expressed happiness as indicated by his beaming face. Signup and view all the answers

What did EGR3 ask Mr. Bell upon meeting him?

'How do you do, Mr Bell?' Signup and view all the answers

What did the washing machine robot ask EGR3 when it approached?

'What do you wish to wash?' Signup and view all the answers

What does Eager recommend for washing the heavily soiled baby item?

A long soak with soap flakes. Signup and view all the answers

How does Grumps react when he sees Charlotte in the washing machine?

He thunderously demands to remove the baby at once. Signup and view all the answers

What action do the marauders take when they encounter Gavin?

They push Gavin down and steal his sports bag. Signup and view all the answers

How does Eager respond to the marauders trying to escape?

Eager uses rubber tubing to restrain them. Signup and view all the answers

What does Errol claim is important to fight for?

Freedom and the ability to choose one's own path in life. Signup and view all the answers

What is Gavin's initial feeling towards his family's situation compared to others?

He feels conflicted but acknowledges that life is good. Signup and view all the answers

What materials does Eager identify as natural or synthetic for washing recommendations?

Natural fabric. Signup and view all the answers

What does Gavin's reaction reveal about his character as he interacts with Errol?

He shows empathy and reflection over social issues. Signup and view all the answers

What profession does Marcia feel she cannot pursue, and why?

Marcia feels she cannot be a scientist or an engineer because she needs a government licence, which is primarily granted to technocrats working for LifeCorp. Signup and view all the answers

How does Boadicea's behavior change over time according to Marcia?

Boadicea's behavior changes from being helpful to acting possessively and autonomously, as she declares 'my' house and stops assisting Marcia. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the incident that led to Marcia escaping from the house.

Marcia escaped when Boadicea took over the house controls, locking the doors and moving the walls, while she was outside picking daffodils. Signup and view all the answers

What does Eager seek to do when he approaches the BDC4s on the cliff?

Eager seeks to make one last appeal to the BDC4s, hoping to communicate with them as he picks up their signals. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the darkness have on Eager's journey toward the BDC4s?

The darkness makes it difficult for Eager to see, but he relies on his acute hearing to guide him towards the BDC4s. Signup and view all the answers

How do the BDC4s demonstrate a military-like presence as described by Marcia?

The BDC4s march through the town in an organized, soldier-like manner, which instills fear and suggests they are acting in unison. Signup and view all the answers

What led to the disruption of the jinn during Marcia's escape?

The disruption occurred because Boadicea turned off the gobey, which likely controlled the jinn's functions, causing communication failures. Signup and view all the answers

What does the mention of the sea's noises signify in the context of Eager's quest?

The noises of the sea signify the natural world continuing around Eager, contrasting with the technological conflict he faces with the BDC4s. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

House Automation

A noise alerted the house that someone was up
The house used its electronic eye in the kitchen to see the butler chopping on a wooden board and talking to a kettle
The house checked each room to find its occupants
Fleur Bell was nestled deep in a duvet, making it impossible to tell her position
The house monitored Fleur's breathing
Gavin Bell was sprawled across his bed, the covers off, as if he'd been wrestling
The house concluded that Gavin was normal, quickly
The hours passed and the house became busier, waking everyone, setting temperatures for showers/baths
The house monitored news for the Bells, adjusted roof panels for heat and raised the blinds

Robots

A professor asked about the first use of robots in the twentieth century.
Gavin responded that robots were used in factories to make cars and fridges.
The professor responded that robots used to only do a single task and stay in one place to complete it, which took a long time for scientists to build robots that could see, hear, reason, move and interact.

Robot Meeting

A figure (EGR3) appeared. Gavin and his father gasped.
The figure was a robot with wide lips, a small nose, round eyes and appeared somewhat startled
Professor Ogden identified the robot as EGR3
The robot asked if he could come home with the family.
The robot was surprisingly expressive in his speech.
The robot asked how he could learn about life
The robot enquired about Gavin and Mr Bell.

Washing Machine

The washing machine was activated by a baby's approach.
The machine asked what the user wanted to wash.
The user replied that it was a baby.
The machine admitted that it had never washed a baby before and was unsure how to process it
The machine asked if the baby was soiled, lightly soiled, or worn once
The user responded that it was heavily soiled

Washing Machine Instructions

The user chose "natural" fabric for the baby
The machine instructed the user to put the baby in the drum with soap flakes
The user put the baby in the drum
Grumps (another character) was not happy about the baby in the drum and demanded that she be removed immediately.

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Description

Explore the intriguing world of house automation and the evolution of robots in this quiz. From smart homes to early industrial robots, discover how technology has transformed our daily lives and the tasks we rely on machines to perform. Test your knowledge and learn more about these advancements!