Help robotics develop at first (3)

I believe the answer is:

aid

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'help' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'robotics develop at first' is the wordplay.
'robotics' becomes 'ai' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'at first' says to take the initial letters.
The initial letter of 'develop' is 'd'.
'ai'+'d'='AID'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aid that I've seen before include "Good point" , "Care, assistance" , "charity" , "Help or support" , "Relief" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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