There are several common concepts. The first is the concept of robots as servants or helpers, which is prevalent in science fiction and has influenced the development of service robots. The idea of robots being able to communicate with humans in a natural way, similar to how they do in many science - fiction stories, is also a borrowed concept. Additionally, the concept of robots with self - repair abilities, as seen in some science - fiction works, has also inspired research in the field of robotics.
One of the most common concepts is the human - like appearance of robots. We see this in a lot of science fiction, and now roboticists are trying to create robots that look more human. Another is the idea of robots having emotions or consciousness, like in 'Ex Machina'.
Another concept is sentience. Fictional soft robots are sometimes given the ability to think and feel. They may develop emotions or consciousness, which then leads to complex moral and ethical dilemmas within the story. This is an interesting exploration of what it means to be alive and intelligent.
Well, in my opinion, Gort from 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' is really iconic. That huge, powerful robot with its one - word - commands had a menacing yet mysterious presence. Also, HAL 9000 from '2001: A Space Odyssey' is quite famous. It was an advanced computer system that turned out to be a bit too intelligent for the good of the human crew. And let's not forget the Iron Giant. It's a gentle giant robot in the movie of the same name, which shows that robots in science fiction don't always have to be bad or menacing.
In science fiction books, genetic engineering is quite common. It explores how humans can manipulate their own genetics or the genetics of other organisms. Also, the concept of parallel universes is often explored, where different versions of reality exist. Additionally, the idea of advanced energy sources, like zero - point energy, is frequently seen in science fiction books.
In science fiction, a common ecological concept is the idea of a dying or degraded ecology. This is often used as a backdrop to tell a story about the consequences of human actions or some natural disaster. For instance, a planet where the air is polluted and the water is toxic due to industrial waste. Another concept is that of a hidden or undiscovered ecology. This can be an underwater world or a subterranean ecosystem that has its own unique set of species and ecological rules. And then there's the concept of an artificial ecology, created by advanced civilizations either for scientific purposes or as a form of control.
One common concept is zero - gravity. It's often shown in space scenes where characters float around freely. Another is artificial gravity, which is crucial for making spaceships and stations habitable. And then there's the idea of gravity manipulation, like being able to turn it on and off.
Science fiction robotics inspire real - world research. For example, the idea of humanoid robots like Data from 'Star Trek' makes researchers strive to create more advanced human - like robots in real life. Also, the concept of robots with artificial intelligence in science fiction has led to more focus on AI in real - world robotics. Fiction often presents possibilities that researchers then try to make real.
In 'Today in Science Fiction', the concept of post - apocalyptic worlds is quite prominent. These worlds often force humans to adapt in extreme ways, showing our resilience and resourcefulness. It also makes us think about how we're treating our planet now. Another exciting concept is the use of psychic powers. Characters with telepathy or telekinesis add an element of the extraordinary to the stories, and it's always interesting to see how these powers are developed and used within the science - fiction framework.
Well, I think the concept of the multiple layers of reality in Westworld is really cool. There's the surface level of the Western - themed park that the guests see, but then there are all these hidden levels, like the backstage areas where the hosts are maintained and reprogrammed. And the way the show plays with the idea of memory, how the hosts' memories can be manipulated and yet they can still hold on to fragments that lead to their awakening, is quite remarkable.
One of the most iconic is the Dyson Sphere. It's a theoretical megastructure that completely encloses a star to capture its energy. Another is the Ringworld, a giant ring - like structure orbiting a star. And there's the Halo from the 'Halo' franchise, which are large, artificial ring - world - like structures used for various purposes in the game's universe.
One of the most fascinating concepts is the idea of alien cultures. In Orville science fiction, we get to see various alien species with their own unique languages, customs, and values. For example, some aliens may have a completely different social structure compared to humans, which makes for an exciting exploration of diversity in the universe. It also makes us think about how we would interact with such different beings if we were to encounter them in real life.