Science Fiction Aficionados discussion

Robot VS Android
We just got some feedback from our beta readers, as usual, it was constructive and insightful. Thanks beta readers.

I have two questions and I’m hoping for some comments from the Goodreads book club members.

The book is futuristic, there are humanlike house helpers and then there are the “mechs” who definitely don’t look human, they can be spiderlike or snakelike, etc. A beta read thinks we should call them all androids, we are calling them all robots.

1 – Would it be confusing to you, the reader if we called some robots (the mechs) and some androids (the humanlike)?

2 – Is the term android as popular/recognizable a term as robot for the general reader?

The book is the Neuromorphs [http://dennismeredith.com/the-neuromo...] and please note I do not add the link for promotion, just if you need/want more information.

Regards,

Joni
Joanne Meredith
editor@glyphus.com

Androids refer to the greek word "andros", "men". i prefer your terms for both beings.

Rafael,

Thanks for your response.

An android should be like a human in either shape or sentience. Calling the mechs robots should be fine.

Brandon,
Thanks for your comment.

I think most people have a pretty good idea what an android is. I like the term.

In my Unprofessional opinion.

I tend to categorize everything. I see the word "Android" as a subgroup of the word "Robot". A Robot would be a machine that could be automated. An Android would be a humanoid looking robot.

I would have no problem calling an Android a Robot. However not all Robots are Androids.

C-3PO is an Android and a Robot.
R2-D2 is a Robot and not an Android.

As for behaving like a human vs looking like a human is also different. Humans are not Klingons, even though they behave the same. Robots and Androids could have similar behavior traits, they look different and not the same.

Again in my Unprofessional opinion.

Hi, I’m new to the group as well as being a new SF Author. I think that Mickey spelled out the differences very well and I’m glad to see some clarification on the subject. In my first novel, I use the term “Animoids” for animal and insect-like robotics (spiders and snakes?). I didn’t invent the word, but I hope it catches on. Also, “Droids” maybe a shortened version of Androids but it is sometimes used for Enhanced-Humans. Is there a better term for these lucky beings?
Warren Roberts