Robopocalypse is a science fiction book by Daniel H. Wilson published in 2011.
With a PhD in robotics from Carnegie Mellon University, the author based the
robots in the novel on work in robotics research. It is written in present
tense. Sources like Robert Crais and Booklist have compared the book to the
works of Michael Crichton and Robert Heinlein. It became a bestseller on the
New York Times list. Plot
A computer scientist accidentally unleashes a supremely intelligent
sentient A.I. named Archos R-14. It becomes self-aware and immediately
starts planning the elimination of human civilization and build a new cryptic
ecology where organic being merged with robot technology. Over a gradual period
of time, Archos R-14 infects all penetrable networked electronic devices,
such as cars, airplanes, smart homes, elevators, and other robots, with a
"precursor virus". Before it launches a full-blown attack on humanity, it sends
out probing attacks to analyze the technical feasibility of its strategies
and to assess human response. In one such instance, it infects Mikiko, a
robot that is "in a relationship" with a human mechanic named Takeo, and tries to
kill him before being discharged by a coworker. The random attacks are
designed to look like sporadic malfunctions of devices that humans
depend on for their everyday routines. Domestic robots attack innocents, planes
are intentionally set on a collision course, and smart cars start driving out
of control. The resulting conflict is known as the New War.
After Archos R-14 turns the automated world against humanity, a group of
Native Americans lead a group to fight back. Their base is on a reservation.
Meanwhile, the resurrected Mikiko could "awake" other robots to be self-aware.
Human and freeborn robots fight their last New War battle in Ragnarok
Intelligene Fields. Before terminated, Archos R-14 broadcast its last message
via seismic wave to unknown recipients. Characters
Cormac Wallace, the narrator for the novel and the second commander of the
Brightboy squad. He is one of the few survivors of robot apocalypse and the
younger brother of the first commander, Jack Wallace.
Mathilda Perez, a 10-year-old girl and daughter of congresswoman Laura Perez.
She is operated on by an autodoc and receives robotic eyes that allow her to
see and, to an extent, control robots. However, she is as result
'people-blind', barely able to view living organisms.
Takeo Nomura, a Japanese head repairman of an old factory. He is sixty-five
years old and has an intimate relationship with a human-like android
named Mikiko. During Archos's invasion, Nomura built an army of robots and
created a safe haven for humans all over Japan. After he releases Mikiko from
Archos' control, she transmits a signal that frees all other humanoid robots,
creating the Freeborns. Nine Oh Two, the first recorded freeborn
humanoid robot to be awakened. He forms an alliance with the humans in an effort
to defeat Archos. At the end of the novel, he ultimately resolves the
conflict by destroying Archos. Archos, a rogue A.I. and the main
antagonist. Despite causing the New War, he is fascinated by life, humanity, and
its culture. He determines to replace outdated humanity with advanced
technology, believing that humanity was simply the catalyst to create him.
Lurker, a 17-year-old prankster. He played a vital role in temporarily
freeing the communication lines from Archos’ control. This allowed Paul
Blanton to transmit a critical message to the human
Reception Best-selling authors Stephen King and
Clive Cussler reviewed the book positively, King saying that the book
was "terrific page-turning fun" and Cussler commenting that it is
"a brilliantly conceived thriller that could well become horrific reality. A
captivating tale, Robopocalypse will grip your imagination from the first
word to the last, on a wild trip you won't soon forget. What a read...unlike
anything I’ve read before." The book received outstanding reviews
from the Associated Press, Janet Maslin from the New York Times, and
best-selling authors Lincoln Child and Robert Crais; all calling it
"brilliant". It received unfavorable reviews by
Damien Walter of The Guardian, Ron Charles of the Washington Post, and
Chris Barton of the Los Angeles Times, all remarked that the book was a
disappointment and cheesy. Todd VanDerWerff of The A.V. Club described
it as "World War Z with evil robots", hobbled by hackneyed characters and a
limited scope. Sequel
In 2014, Doubleday published the official sequel to Robopocalypse, which
is titled Robogenesis. Film adaptation
Steven Spielberg signed on to direct a film based on the novel, and Drew
Goddard was hired to write the screenplay. Spielberg also hired
designer Guy Hendrix Dyas to work with him and his writers on creating the
visual tone for the film and conceptualize its robotic elements. The
film was scheduled for release on July 3, 2013. Filming was scheduled to take
place entirely in Montreal, Canada, from July to September 2012. Oklahoma was
scouted as a possible filming location, but Canada was ultimately chosen for its
tax incentives, as production was expected to cost $200 million.
On May 31, 2012, the film's release date was delayed to April 25, 2014. The film,
jointly financed by 20th Century Fox and Spielberg's DreamWorks, was scheduled to
be released in North America by DreamWorks through Disney's Touchstone
Pictures label in 2014, while Fox was to handle the international distribution.
Chris Hemsworth was cast in November 2012. Anne Hathaway said in November
2012 that she had been cast in the proposed film: "If Robopocalypse happens
I will be in it and I believe it's quite real, though you never want to hang your
hat on anything." Ben Whishaw had also been cast.
However, on January 9, 2013, DreamWorks revealed that Spielberg decided to put
Robopocalypse on hold indefinitely. The director's spokesman Marvin Levy, said
it was "too important and the script is not ready, and it's too expensive to
produce. It's back to the drawing board to see what is possible." On January 10,
2013, Spielberg said he was starting on a new script that would be more
economical and personal, and estimated a delay of six to eight months.
References External links
Author site