Meaning
An unlicensed, unregistered taxi operating illegally for hire — a private car whose owner picks up paying passengers along a route without a proper public-passenger licence. Cheap and common, 'robot' taxis fill gaps in transport but run outside the law. To 'run robot' is to work your car as an illegal taxi.
Examples
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Wi tek a robot cause no licensed taxi neva deh bout.
We took an unlicensed taxi because no licensed one was around.
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Him run him car as a robot fi extra money.
He runs his car as an illegal taxi for extra money.
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Robot cheaper but yuh tek a chance.
Unlicensed taxis are cheaper but you take a risk.
Origin
Jamaican slang for an unlicensed taxi, of uncertain origin. See [[route-taxi]], [[charter]].
How it’s used
An illegal/unlicensed taxi; 'run robot' = work your car as one. See [[route-taxi]], [[charter]].