Join this traveling robot on his adventures. He thinks he has seen it all, but has he really?
Part 15: Ebookstore
“Did you ever wonder what it is like to visit a bookstore that only sells physical books as a robot? I did not only think about it, but I also visited some stores. I can tell you about my experience in only three words: it is frustrating.
Even though I am capable of visiting a bookstore in person – and I can even read words on paper! – I lack arms that are sensitive enough to pick up books and turn pages. Such arms exist but are too expensive for me. They’re not covered by subsidies or robot insurance: apparently they are not essential. Not to mention that the rest of me would need an upgrade too.
So now imagine you walk into a bookstore without arms. Or perhaps with arms but without fine motor skills, because of a birth defect (insufficient development funds), a sickness (virus), or a disability (application error). You find yourself standing in front of a bookshelf, curious about some of the titles that appeal to you. That’s it. The end.
You now have to look up the book in an online bookstore (using voice commands) to find out more about its contents. You get more information than you need like user reviews with the occasional spoilers. Of course, you can order the book online from the get-go without visiting a bookstore, but you’ll miss out on the fun of being surrounded by books. The walking around part is 80% of the fun.
A bookstore for robots would be different. When you enter the shop you see colorful interactive screens telling you about the bestsellers. When you look at a specific poster or screen it registers your eye movement using heatmaps and gives more information about the book you’re interested in. You can drive around inside the bookstore to visit corners dedicated to a specific book genre.
When you look at the ever-changing book covers, you can connect wirelessly to the one that appeals to you. After reading the synopsis and an excerpt you can buy the book. Immediately, the book is downloaded to your designated storage space.
It is perfect! You can enjoy a trip to the bookstore, find yourself surrounded by a vast amount of books sparkling your inspiration and follow-through on the spot. It’s not about the smell of physical books but about the visuals. If I would open a shop I would also add some audio ads or example chapters read out loud. These would vary depending on the genre of books the customer is exploring. And because my clients are robots, I can target them directly without bothering other visitors.
What’s the difference with simply visiting a webshop, you ask me? The experience and the wandering.The wonder and the surprise of discovering a really cute, quirky, elegant, or sophisticated bookstore where you least expect it. The multitude. The regional influences that shine through. The personal identities of the owners showing in the decoration, layout, and reception: the passion and a shared love of books.
You don’t get that when you visit a major global webshop for books. You can change the language and currency settings, but that’s it. There is no immersion whatsoever. I go there when I know what I want to buy, but not for inspiration.
So, who will open the first physical ebookstore for robots and humans? I am available if you want to brainstorm.”
