Every Robot Dreams of Perfect 3D Vision
Robot Fairytale

My wheels skid to a stop as I stare at the bright red box. It sits on the factory floor like it had been dropped from a dream—or maybe Santa's sleigh?

I’m grinding away on the inspection line while thoughts of my best friend Bella are lighting up my processor. She was transferred to a toy warehouse. And ever since, my circuits had felt... incomplete.

But the bright red box means everything has changed. My gears whirr as I open it, peeking at the sleekest 3D camera I’d ever seen. My letter to Santa has been received. I asked for perfect 3D vision. To see in color and in motion. So I could find Bella. 

***

I tighten my gripper hold on the second gift from my box as my wheel crosses the factory threshold. My circuits brim with excitement - the world looks like a whole new place. Outside the factory snowflakes sparkle like LED lights, cars zip by in every direction, and people dash around like boxes on conveyor belts. Thanks to my new vision, I see it all—depth, movement, colors. 

But the further I venture, the more dangers the winter land reveals. I glimpse a river. Its current’s so strong that even the winter’s cold can’t freeze its racing waters. 

I notice a small spark at the edge of my vision. I cycle through the scanning parameters of my shiny new 3D camera and to my disbelief, a frozen bridge appears. Nearly transparent, yet somehow visible to make it across. Careful not to drop the precious package I wheel across.  

***

On the other side of the river, a dense forest awaits. Trees stand so close that they are concealing and occluding each other.

How can I make it through this jungle? I wonder, fixing my gaze upon the tree line ahead, I try to change my angle…

And then it clicks! 

My new vision is more than just eyes. My brain can process multiple angles from various perspectives. A single, cohesive image resolves. 

I take my time scaling the forest; I need to make sure the gift I am carrying doesn't get tangled. I glance ahead from multiple views and make up the image of the scenery. 

The forest is no longer an enemy. But a new obstacle emerges soon - a concrete highway intersects the woods. So many cars are furiously speeding. Sometimes up to 40 m/s!

This time, I don’t give up. I hypnotize cars with my laser-strong gaze, capturing them in motion and predicting their trajectories to plan my path across. 

I take charge! The first vehicle? Dodged. Another one. And another one… Almost hit. Final lane. Safety!   

I can’t be that far away now. I feel it in my cogs. 

***

Watch Riley’s letter to Santa