Relating to robots or characteristic of robot-like behavior - mechanical, automatic, or lacking in human warmth or emotion. Can describe actual robots or human behavior that seems mechanically programmed.
From 'robot' (coined by Czech writer Karel Čapek in 1920, from Czech 'robota' meaning forced labor) + suffix '-ic.' The metaphorical use for human behavior emerged as robots became more familiar in popular culture.
It's ironic that 'robotic' behavior in humans is considered negative, since we created robots to be efficient and precise. The word reveals our ambivalence about mechanization - we want robot-like precision in our technology but human warmth in our interactions.
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