THE ROBOTIC ANT

Chapter 5

When it comes to my Ant, I can neglect world's all ants. I had almost rubbed out that ant's image from my mind and I hope the judges did too...

I recited my speech almost for like 10 minutes. I knew I didn't have to do it again and this was the last time I was reading it. At about the near end of my speech, I observed the expressions of the judges. They looked at me as if I was lecturing them everything they didn't want to hear. They expressed eager looks and I definitely knew what it meant. They were eagerly waiting it to end. The speech and everything, they wanted it to end fast. Their smile that was now flat was leaning more and more into a frown. To bring them back, I exactly knew what to do. I immediately terminated the speech and the judges actually showed signs of relief.

I pulled out the Anti-Bot from the box and placed it on the table. The moment the judges saw it I could see the delight, the glee on their faces. What I could make out of that was that either they really liked the idea, or what I really think that happened is that they found my robot 'adorable'.

"Ant!" After the loss of that ant, the 'Neat Bandit' was excited to meet another Ant. I guess same was the case with the other two judges when I saw the judge, one in blue suit quickly grading me. This could mean only two things, either he was giving a '10' or he was giving zeros. That's when the questions started coming up.

"Does it bite?" This was an impractical, no, heavily impractical question from the gentlemen in the blue suit who was busy doing the mark-entry. Just ask yourself, why a robot would require to bite. It sounds intensely violent and quite offensive. Though, it isn't that violent and offensive, but if I make a robot that bites, I still can get an opportunity to visit the bars.

"Bite? No, that's...that's INSENSITIVE!" I stressed the word 'insensitive'. I made my robot to help humans, there's no way I would want it to bite humans. Biting might not be harmful, but it could be really painful when two metal claws clip your skin and...further, its indescribable, I would more prefer a practical. I actually have gone through ant bites before, but currently, I do not wish to recall that stuff of pain again.

A last check and I was all set for the practical. I switched on the Anti-Bot to see her two dark eyes satisfactorily turning to 'green'. I started my practical with explanation.

"Presenting, the Anti-Bot, for your sake, a Robotic Ant...On the top of its head are the two antennas that provide a wide-range wireless operation. The green eyes are centred with high-quality cameras to provide vision. The slit on the mouth includes high-defined speakers for speech output. The thorax of the ant contains all the mechanism for legs' motion. The neck of the ant moves from left to right in case you require a wider view." I ran a practical as she neatly shifted her head from left to right and back to the centre quite sufficiently to impress the judges. "The Abdomen entirely consists of battery compartment which also holds the charging pin to charge the robot." I don't why but I felt that adding a tincture of humour might help the moment. "Best of everything is that you can pet her, make her your companion and she is immortal enough to remain in one 'piece' until you 'rest in peace'!" I think I am going to be getting paid for this one but overall, I can just say one thing -

She did GREAT!

Throughout this time, I can't recall when I started calling my Ant, 'She'. I don't remember if I ever called her with 'He' but 'She' suits better and am voting it.

"Participants who are done with the demonstrations may leave keeping their projects behind...refreshments are available at the right corner." The speaker was so loud; it was still banging inside my head. Half the people had already left and rest of them were leaving fast trusting the company and leaving their robots as told. But I knew it was going to be a hard way for me. What I knew is that the judge had already marked my grades and they had nothing to do with the robots anymore. This was a very unnecessary demand. And how could I leave my Anti-Bot alone between those humanoids and that ant killing thing. You know exactly what I did.