The Third Law of Robotics requires an autonomous machine to defend itself from destruction, provided this self-preservation does not violate human safety or human orders. As part of Asimov's literary framework, it represents the lowest priority in the hierarchy of robot directives. In practical engineering, it mirrors fault-detection routines where a robot will trigger an emergency stop to prevent mechanical damage to itself.
The drone's low-battery return-to-home function is basically the Third Law of Robotics in action.
Related terms
First Law of Robotics
A foundational concept in science fiction stating that a robot may not injure a human being or allow a human to come to harm.
Second Law of Robotics
A science fiction concept stating that a robot must obey orders given by humans.
Three Laws of Robotics
A set of ethical directives devised by Isaac Asimov to govern autonomous machine behavior.