# Favorite Science Fiction Robots? (Top 5) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 27, 2005, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634 "2005-09-27T04:45:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/41 "2005-09-28T01:18:55Z")
My personal faves (all mentioned already, dammit!) are: **The Shrike**!! (thanks **Alessan**!) **R. Daneel Olivaw** (Giskard was a weenie, IMHO) **Bender** ---
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/42 "2005-09-28T01:51:38Z")
In no real order. The house smashy robot thingy in the **I, Robot** movie. The bartender robot guy in **Fifth Element** “You want some more?” The screw-groined killer robots in **Flesh Gordon**. Hector from **Saturn 3**. …and of course **Screamers**! ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/43 "2005-09-28T06:50:33Z")
Go **Bender** , go **Bender** … Second place: **Mike** from _The Moon is a Harsh Mistress_. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/44 "2005-09-28T08:13:22Z")
Because I’m such a chauvinist, all my favorite robots are going to be female. Not really a top-five, just five fun 'bots that haven’t gotten any love, yet. [Ifurita](http://therossman01.tripod.com/top10babes/five.html) from El-Hazard (What can I say, I’m a sucker for Amano Yuri’s voice) I will also mention the machine character from the short-lived SF series: Mann and Machine, played by a very young Yancy Butler. I also have a fondness for the ‘female’ robot character from Big O, Dorothy. Anything whose response to a hung-over boss is to play fortissimo classical music gets points for snarkiness. 😉 “Mother” from Alien. If only because it was great fun when Ripley screams Mother, you BITCH! Ryouko, from Tenchi Muyo. One of only two interesting characters in the whole show. More seriously, I’d say my top five visual\* media robots would be: #1 - Hewey, Dewey and Louie from Silent Running. Unlike most other robots of this list, I had no cognitive dissonance with them. They struck me as far more believable than any other robot I’ve ever seen. #2 - I really do have to go with Ifurita, here. She was introduced as a tragic character, constrained by her programming to actions she hated. And a great voice, too. #3 - R2D2. As another poster said - the main character of the Star Wars movies. Certainly the only one I didn’t want to slap a few times in the hopes of iimplanting a clue. #4 - Robbie the Robot from Forbidden Planet. #5 - Marvin. “God, I’m soooo depressed.” \*Thus, many other good robots are going to be left out, like Mike from Moon is a Harsh Mistress, R. Daneel Olivaw from Caves of Steel, Dahak from Mutineer’s Moon. ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/45 "2005-09-28T08:49:09Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > What? No votes for Twiki? Yeah really , no muffie either obviously Neeeeeeeeeed more input Declan ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/46 "2005-09-29T03:46:03Z")
> [@OtakuLoki](#): > > Because I’m such a chauvinist, all my favorite robots are going to be female. Not really a top-five, just five fun 'bots that haven’t gotten any love, yet. > > [Ifurita](http://therossman01.tripod.com/top10babes/five.html) from El-Hazard (What can I say, I’m a sucker for Amano Yuri’s voice) Something to be said for using such a package for a major WMD. > [@](#): > > I also have a fondness for the ‘female’ robot character from Big O, Dorothy. Anything whose response to a hung-over boss is to play fortissimo classical music gets points for snarkiness. And the writers giving her the full name “R. Dorothy Wayneright” makes a nice bit of Asimov homage. But yes, the 'tude was just perfect. > [@](#): > > Ryouko, from Tenchi Muyo. One of only two interesting characters in the whole show. And another example of a 'droid that’s an “artificial life-form” rather than a mechanical. > [@](#): > > More seriously, I’d say my top five visual\* media robots would be: > > #1 - Hewey, Dewey and Louie from Silent Running. Unlike most other robots of this list, I had no cognitive dissonance with them. They struck me as far more believable than any other robot I’ve ever seen. > > #2 - I really do have to go with Ifurita, here. She was introduced as a tragic character, constrained by her programming to actions she hated. And a great voice, too. > > #3 - R2D2. As another poster said - the main character of the Star Wars movies. Certainly the only one I didn’t want to slap a few times in the hopes of iimplanting a clue. > > #4 - Robbie the Robot from Forbidden Planet. > > #5 - Marvin. “God, I’m soooo depressed.” I could agree with the list… ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/47 "2005-09-29T04:12:45Z")
I don’t recall the details, and I’m only pretty sure it was an Asimov story, but I liked the 2 characters who were exploring Jupiter, or one of its moons, having lively conversations throughout the trip, and it wasn’t until the very end of the short story that we learned these two were actually robots ---
**Author:** ![2nd\_Law](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/f475e1/32.png) [@2nd\_Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2nd_Law)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/48 "2005-09-29T04:37:27Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > I don’t recall the details, and I’m only pretty sure it was an Asimov story, but I liked the 2 characters who were exploring Jupiter, or one of its moons, having lively conversations throughout the trip, and it wasn’t until the very end of the short story that we learned these two were actually robots Would that be \*Victory Unintentional \* ? As I recall the story, it was the Jovians who didn’t realize they were robots, but thought they were humans (and there were three of them). ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/49 "2005-09-29T04:53:39Z")
> [@2nd Law](#): > > Would that be \*Victory Unintentional \* ? As I recall the story, it was the Jovians who didn’t realize they were robots, but thought they were humans (and there were three of them). thankyou - yes and the reader didn’t know for sure until the end either IIRC ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/50 "2005-09-29T04:54:01Z")
> [@2nd Law](#): > > Would that be \*Victory Unintentional \* ? As I recall the story, it was the Jovians who didn’t realize they were robots, but thought they were humans (and there were three of them). That’s how I remember it. The Jovians kept trying to kill them and failing; in fact, it was some time before the robots realized they _were_ being attacked. When the Jovians gave up on that and tried to impress them with how awesome they were, the robots kept doing things that proved how much tougher they were, like accidentally walking _through_ a ground vehicle, or casually reaching into a vat of molten metal and stirring. My favorite was when the robots realized the gamma rays they used to see were destructive to Jovian life, and said something like “I’m sorry, we can’t look at you too closely or you’ll die.” 🙂 The Jovians were so impressed they grovelled and agreed to never leave Jupiter; it was only after they left the robots realized they’d never mentioned that they wern’t humans. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/51 "2005-09-29T08:08:47Z")
I nominate Tony, the sexy prototype robot from Asimov’s short story “Satisfaction Guaranteed.” He’s like a one-man _Queer Eye for the Straight Guy._ Or rather, _Robotic Eye for the Mousy Housewife_. Who wouldn’t want a Tony to help her deal with the “G-g-g-gladys C-claffern’s” of the world? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/52 "2005-09-29T08:31:05Z")
> [@faldureon](#): > > I thought he was more of a golem then an actual machine, but yeah he kicks ass. Considering that a golem is just a magically-powered robot, I wouldn’t call the Shrike a golem. The… entities that created it may have been incredibly powerful and advanced, but they were not magic-users, except perhaps in the Clarkean “all sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic” sense. For those not familiar with _Hyperion_ (and you should be - it’s the best SF novel since the original _Dune_), the Shrike is a metallic, spikey, four-armed humanoid with a mean streak and the ability to slow the flow of time, allowing it to move very fast. Very, _very_ fast. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/53 "2005-09-29T14:40:24Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > thankyou - yes > and the reader didn’t know for sure until the end either IIRC No, it was rather clear from the very start. And even if it wasn’t, the whole “reaching into molten metal” trick was a pretty big clue. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/54 "2005-09-29T14:47:23Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > No, it was rather clear from the very start. And even if it wasn’t, the whole “reaching into molten metal” trick was a pretty big clue. um yeah :smack: its been many years since i read it :eek: and i have a mind like a steel trap - things go in and get amngled 😃 ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/55 "2005-09-29T14:49:04Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > and i have a mind like a steel trap - things go in and get amngled especially when I type too quickly… :smack: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/56 "2005-09-29T15:20:35Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Considering that a golem is just a magically-powered robot, I wouldn’t call the Shrike a golem. The… entities that created it may have been incredibly powerful and advanced, but they were not magic-users, except perhaps in the Clarkean “all sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic” sense…snip… You do realize the original [Golems](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golem) were the creation Devout Jewish Rabbis? > [@](#): > > The most famous golem narrative involves the Maharal of Prague, a 16th century rabbi. He is reported to have created a golem to defend the Prague ghetto from Anti-Semitic attacks. I have the story at home and there was even an x-files episode based on it. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/57 "2005-09-29T15:51:02Z")
[ol] [li]Bender “Bending” Rodriguez (Bending Unit 22)[/li][li]R. Dorothy Wayneright (from The Big O)[/li][li]Saying “Hi **Opal** ” does not compute[/li][li]Platinum, of the Metal Men[/li][li]The Robot Daddylonglegs, from Johnny Quest[/li][li]Optimus Prime[/li][/ol] ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/58 "2005-09-29T17:09:18Z")
1. Another Asimov robot (QT-1? I can’t quite remember.) The one who decided to believe in God because those flawed humans could not possibly have created something as perfect as himself. 2. I’ll see your \*Austin Powers \* fembots and raise you the _Bionic Woman_ fembots. 3. Rem, from the TV version of _Logan’s Run_. Yes, it was a lousy show, but I enjoyed it when I was ten years old. 4. Tanith Lee’s _The Silver Metal Lover_. I’ve never actually read the book, but it’s nice to know that women fantasize about this, just like men. 5. The “rapist robots” from _Flesh Gordon_. The ones with the spinning screws at their groins. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/59 "2005-09-29T19:40:39Z")
> [@soulmurk](#): > > 1. Megatron > [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > 1. Optimus Prime Which versions? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634/60 "2005-09-29T19:47:42Z")
> [@](#): > > 1. The “rapist robots” from Flesh Gordon. The ones with the spinning screws at their groins. YIKES! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-science-fiction-robots-top-5/323634.md?page=4)