engineering 101 : think outside the bots (intro to robotics)

At Bring today with the kiddo (age 32 months), walking by a shelf full of spare house parts:

"Want the robot, Mama. Want to hold the robot."

"What, this? You know, I think it's a doorbell, but you're right, it looks just like robot legs and body."

"Robot head. Want the robot head!"

"This one?" I hold up a thermostat from the pile.

"No! The robot head!" He points to a clock radio. 

"Oh, this one? Wow, that really does look like a robot head. Let's put them together."

"Robot! I love it!"

"What do you think his name is, kiddo?"

"Alphie. Alphie Robot."