Robopocalypse

Robopocalypse is a science fiction book by Daniel H. Wilson published in 2011. With a PhD in robotics from Carnegie Mellon University, the author based the robots in the novel on work in robotics research. It is written in present tense. Sources like Robert Crais and Booklist have compared the book to the works of Michael Crichton and Robert Heinlein. It became a bestseller on the New York Times list.

Plot

A computer scientist accidentally unleashes a supremely intelligent sentient A.I. named Archos R-14. It becomes self-aware and immediately starts planning the elimination of human civilization and build a new cryptic ecology where organic being merged with robot technology. Over a gradual period of time, Archos R-14 infects all penetrable networked electronic devices, such as cars, airplanes, smart homes, elevators, and other robots, with a "precursor virus". Before it launches a full-blown attack on humanity, it sends out probing attacks to analyze the technical feasibility of its strategies and to assess human response. In one such instance, it infects Mikiko, a robot that is "in a relationship" with a human mechanic named Takeo, and tries to kill him before being discharged by a coworker. The random attacks are designed to look like sporadic malfunctions of devices that humans depend on for their everyday routines. Domestic robots attack innocents, planes are intentionally set on a collision course, and smart cars start driving out of control. The resulting conflict is known as the New War.