1. A robot may not injure a human being, or through inaction allow a human being to come to harm.

2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First law.

3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Handbook of Robotics, 56th edition, AD 2058




robot girl's programming was largely based on these laws, harm was interpreted as physical or psychological.

If robot girl was not able to carry out an instruction, she explained to the best of her ability why not.

robot girl followed her most recent instruction.


robot girl was a performance which explored the boundaries between human and machine. It highlighted the way we project our consciousness into mediated forms, in particular the internet.

robot girl also explored control and passivity. By exaggerating the idea of woman as a passive object until it becomes absurd, the performance undermined the stereotype. It also became apparent that control is an ambiguous issue. When an authority, institution or a person seem to have power, they may be admitting their dependence on those who gave it to them. Control can be taken back as well as given.