It seemed like a good idea at the time. We bought a robot to help with household chores. In the beginning it worked flawlessly: cleaning, cooking, shopping and even driving us to appointments. We were very pleased. Mundane tasks were in our past.

But then its AI brain decided that it had to protect us. The robot began locking doors, regulating our schedule, deciding what we should eat, even when we should go to bed. We became prisoners. I had no choice. I ripped out the robot’s actuator. We’re now pleased to do for ourselves because we feel human again.