Story & Comic by Xiao Jiangnan The Amazing Comeback
The Amazing Comeback Story & Comic by Xiao Jiangnan
The main characters Green Shadow (Penelopea) Snapdragon Solar Flare Chilli Bean Jalapeno Fire Gourd Tile Turnip Heavenly Peach
Firefighting Robot (Danny) Zombot Tomorrow-tron Breath Detection Robot Impfinity Nuclear Disaster Inspection Robot Intelligent Inspection Robot Super Brainz Serpentine Rescue Robot Battlefield Extraction Assist Robot
Foreword Robots have become the unique technical symbols, cultural landscapes and symbolic objects of the modern society. They are not only technological products but also the important outcome of the transformation of mankind’s production and lifestyle. The intelligentization and biochemical imitation of robots is a new topic that we encounter in the post-industrial era. Nowadays, the development of robotics technology is getting more attention. People even think that it can lead the development of future industries. The research on Cognitive Systems and Robotics was drafted in the European Union’s 7th Framework Programme (FP7). The United States launched the National Robotics Initiative program. Japan and South Korea have also developed corresponding research plans for service robots. China’s State High-Tech Development Program (863 Program), National Natural Science Foundation, National Science and Technology Major Project and other major programs have also greatly emphasised on the study of robotics. Driven by technologies such as computers and networks, the field of robotics is developing rapidly from conventional industrial manufacture to various fields such as medical services, edutainment, exploration and surveillance, bio-engineering and disaster relief. The robotic systems that adapt to the needs in different fields are further developed. Of course, compared to the goals preset by humans, the research and application of robotics still encounter enormous challenges. This book unveils the mystery of robots to students via an exciting comic story. Moreover, the book provides a lot of knowledge about robots. The book also introduces the research progress of industrial robots, service robots, medical and rehabilitation robots, mobile and biomimetic robots. It helps us to know that robots are not just cold machines but also individuals that are close to us. The book also covers the counter-control of highly intelligent robots against humans, threats of the Internet to human security and ethical rules of robotic wars. It reveals the alienation that may be caused by the proliferation of technology and opens up a new aspect of “technical ethnics”. Nobel Physics Prize laureate Hideki Yukawa (1907-1981) made this critical statement about the illusion of science and technology: “A new discovery can bring happiness and prosperity. It can also lead to the loss and destruction of humanity”. The rapid development of robotics knowledge is an opportunity for human development. It may also be a crisis that mankind would encounter in future. This is related to our real understanding of the definition of “humans”. We hope that the future developments of robots will be able to meet the demands of science and technology as well as the value of research. We also pray that they are not only limited to solitary skills but also advocate humanistic care and technological ethics in this field. The robots provide the humans with a broader imagination and space for creation. In future, the robots will become smarter and more amazing. The computer technology and artificial intelligence technology will become more advanced. The development in the field of robotics awaits everyone to imagine and discover. So let’s read the book and embark on an amazing journey into the world of robots! Zhao Liang PhD supervisor University of Technology Sydney, Australia
Contents The Visitor with an Evil Intention.... 6 Little Hero and Big Bully ............20 The Recruitment Test ................40 The Cyclone Crisis...................54 The Master’s True Face ..............68 The Duel between Good Friends .......78 A Night Visit to the Archive .........96 The Conspiracy Revealed ............ 106 The Scary Intruder ................. 122 Super Brainz’s Ultimate Weapon ..... 136 Robots Encyclopaedia ............... 150 Glossary........................... 158
Welcome to the Plants Heroes Association show! Green Shadow! Our first performer is… The Visitor with an Evil Intention Swoosh 6
She’ll be giving a wonderful performance by shooting peas into a jar! Wow! She shot the peas into the jar but the jar didn’t move at all. Amazing! Don’t make a fuss1 . Solar Flare’s Sunburn is more amazing! Sunburn? Pop Pop 7
Thank you! Up next, let’s welcome Solar Flare! Solar Flare, I love you! Here I come! Solar Flare! Solar Flare! Swoosh 8
What do you want to see? Sunburn! Sunburn! Sunburn! Alright, as you wish! Swoosh Thump Sunburn! Tosses 9
Wow! Solar Flare is amazing! Solar Flare! Solar Flare! My fans love me! Can we not take part in this kind of show next time? Why not? Everyone likes to see us. We’re heroes. Our duty is to protect everyone, not to give shows. You’re just jealous that I did better than you. Plus, even though there’s a transparent shield, performing Sunburn is still too dangerous. 10
Compared to my superpower, your skill is just ordinary! You! I don’t want to talk to you anymore! Here come the VIPs! Hello, station master! At Plant Town substation2 11
You two are not only the protectors of our town but also robotics experts. It’s indeed our honour to invite you to give a speech. You’re welcome. Thank you! Let us show our robot to you! You brought along a robot too? Why are you so humble? What he said is the truth! Yes, this is an intelligent inspection robot that we specially developed for the substation. Hello! In the past, inspection and maintenance relied on manpower. But this kind of work was labourintensive and inefficient. When encountering severe weather conditions such as strong winds, heavy rain and heavy snow, workers found it difficult to carry out such tasks. There were also safety problems too. 12
© 2022 Electronic Arts Inc. Plants vs. Zombies is a trademark of Electronic Arts Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED First Printed December 2022 Plants vs. Zombies 2•Robots Comic: The Amazing Comeback Text and Comic © Xiao Jiangnan First published in China by China Children’s Press & Publication Group Co., Ltd This edition is published under licence by China Children’s Press & Publication Group Co., Ltd for sales in Malaysia and Singapore only and may not be bought for exports. Plants vs. Zombies 2: Robots Comic - The Amazing Comeback Story & Comic by | Xiao Jiangnan Layout by | Liong Ci En, Tham Meow Yoke Translated by | Yap Fwee Yi Edited by | Anthony Chan Yew Choong Published by | G.Apple Studio Sdn. Bhd. 200001014479 (517085-P) Endah Parade Shopping Mall Lot 3-055, 3rd Floor, 1, Jalan 1/149E, Taman Sri Endah, Bandar Baru Sri Petaling, 57000 Kuala Lumpur. Distributed by | United Publishing House (M) Sdn. Bhd. 197301001175 (14620-K) (A wholly-owned subsidiary of Sasbadi Holdings Berhad) Endah Parade Shopping Mall Lot 3-055, 3rd Floor, 1, Jalan 1/149E, Taman Sri Endah, Bandar Baru Sri Petaling, 57000 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-9054 7272 Fax: 03-9054 7273 Email: [email protected] Website: www.uph.com.my Printed by | Vivar Printing Sdn. Bhd. (125107-D) Lot 25, Rawang Intergrated Industrial Park, Jalan Batu Arang, 48000 Rawang, Selangor. If there are problems of missing or torn pages, kindly return to the distributor for replacement. Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Xiao, Jiangnan, 1960- PLANTS VS ZOMBIES 2 : ROBOTS COMIC : The Amazing Comeback / Story & Comic by Xiao Jiangnan ; Edited by Anthony Chan Yew Choong ; Translated by Yap Fwee Yi. ISBN 978-967-0039-13-8 1. Comic books, strips, etc.--China--Translations into English. 2. Robots--Comic books, strips, etc. 3. Plants--Comic books, strips, etc. 4. Zombies--Comic books, strips, etc. I. Yap, Fwee Yi. II. Chan, Anthony Yew Choong. III. Title. 741.5.5
Introducing new characters Impfinity comes to Plant Town with a mission of destroying the substation. While fighting him off, the hot-tempered Solar Flare accidentally burns down the substation. As a result, she is expelled from the Plants Heroes Association. How does she deal with this setback? What kind of conspiracy are the Zombies planning? Robots such as firefighting robot, nuclear disaster inspection robot, intelligent inspection robot and water rescue robot are introduced one after another. What roles do they play in this battle? How are the desperate Plants going to fight back? What will Green Shadow and Solar Flare do? Find out the answers in this book and let the exciting story take you to the amazing science world to find out more about artificial intelligence! RM17.50 SB/SWK RM18.50 S’PORE $10.00 CD 6056 Solar Flare Green Shadow © 2022 Electronic Arts Inc. Plants vs. Zombies is a trademark of Electronic Arts Inc. Cutting-edge technology Artificial intelligence Future world Funny and interesting 200001014479 : unitedpublishinghouse 9 789670 039138 ISBN 978-967-0039-13-8