They look better than anything I can produce XD

They do look very "artificial" though, but that is kinda appropriate for the setting I guess ^^

You make me want to have a go at drawing robots too. 

i would recommend watching some pixel art tutorials on youtube. one of the best explained videos I found was from unTied Games link below... just warning... I don't really like the way he talks but he is very smart at this stuff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7IwlH2_q_k&list=PL1nCiI8vwcX1dcCSFPCVsd...

Theyre ok but, with pixel art less is often more. They both have good direction but, you dont have to go all out on color fades.

Here is my profile picture. Notice how few colors and shades I use to get the job done, how shading curves with the objects as well. It takes practice, and you can learn a lot just by studying other spirtes.
Im also a solo developer and often go to spriters resource or here to OGA to find something to help me out when im stuck and cant figure out how something should look. To clearify as well, Im not saying copy someones art im saying study it and experiment from what youve learned from it.