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Robbie
When Gloria's mother deprives her of her beloved robot playmate Robbie, Gloria is inconsolable and goes into a decline
35 pages, Library Binding
First published September 1, 1940
6 people are currently reading
404 people want to read
About the author
Isaac Asimov
4,635books26.8kfollowersWorks of prolific Russian-American writer Isaac Asimov include popular explanations of scientific principles,
The Foundation Trilogy
(1951-1953), and other volumes of fiction.
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
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February 11, 2025
Robbie is a science fiction short story by the American writer Isaac Asimov. It was his very first robot story, written in 1939 and published in 1940 in the “Super Science Stories� magazine. At that time it had a different title: “Strange Playfellow�, given to it by the magazine’s then editor, Frederik Pohl. Isaac Asimov disliked the title, but it does indicate a little about the story content. A revised version of Robbie was reprinted under Isaac Asimov’s original title in the collection “I, Robot�, published in 1950, and that is the version reviewed here.
Although Isaac Asimov had not yet created his three laws of robotics when the story was first published, Robbie does behave according to the first law. So when the story was republished in 1950, Isaac Asimov inserted the specific reference: that a robot shall not harm a human, or by inaction allow a human to come to harm.
Set in the 1998 of the future, the story is about a little girl Gloria whose parents have bought one of the latest series of robots to act as her nanny. Gloria calls him “Robbie�, and the story tells of all the games they play, and how Robbie looks after little Gloria. Robbie cannot talk except to give “rather dull� answers to mathematical questions, but he displays human reactions and behaviour, and appears to Gloria to have the same feelings as she does. Gloria becomes devoted to Robbie, and this worries her mother, because Gloria is far more interested in playing with Robbie than with any other children. Mrs. Weston argues with her husband that Gloria might not learn proper social skills.
With this story Isaac Asimov invented the idea of a “positronic brain�, which functions as a central processing unit (CPU) for robots, which in some unspecified way, provides them with a form of consciousness recognisable to humans. The idea of a child perceiving a robot as a living creature with feelings is irresistible. It has been replayed since, by different authors, but Robbie was the very first of Isaac Asimov’s positronic robot stories to be published. It was only his fourteenth story, and the ninth to be published.
In Robbie we witness the technophobia that surrounds robots. We are told that people were growing to fear robots, and to trying to ban them from the cities. Watching Robbie with Gloria, we see how such fear is misplaced. Isaac Asimov demonstrates his first law of robotics, that a robot shall not harm a human, or by inaction allow a human to come to harm.
I too grew to see Robbie through Gloria’s eyes, although I found it difficult to match Isaac Asimov’s description of him as a parallelepiped. What I had in my mind’s eye throughout, was “Robby the robot� from the television series “Lost in Space�, and also from the classic Science Fiction film “Forbidden Planet� (which was loosely based on Shakespeare’s “The Tempest�). Apparently I had not been far wrong.
Robby the Robot did indeed make his first appearance in “Forbidden Planet�, in 1956. He then made a number of subsequent appearances in science fiction films and television programmes. This included as “Robot B-9� in “Lost in Space� between 1965 and 1968. “Robby� was known in the business as “the hardest working robot in Hollywood�. And Robby’s direct ancestor had been Isaac Asimov’s creation of the lovable, sympathetic robot Robbie in this story. Most of Isaac Asimov’s subsequent robot stories are to do with how robots can help humanity, and how humans should have no fear of robots. He coined the term “Frankenstein complex� to describe this misplaced fear of mechanical men.
I found Robbie to be a very moving story; a Science Fiction story with a lot of heart. The best Science Fiction stories, for me, are the speculative ones. They may be classed as “soft� science fiction by some, and certainly the adventures in space, or routine space operas don’t hold so much appeal for me. It’s all about the ideas: the “what if”s. And this story has them in abundance.
In 2016 Robbie won a retrospective 1941 Hugo Award for the best Science Fiction short story. It was, in my opinion, long overdue.
Although Isaac Asimov had not yet created his three laws of robotics when the story was first published, Robbie does behave according to the first law. So when the story was republished in 1950, Isaac Asimov inserted the specific reference: that a robot shall not harm a human, or by inaction allow a human to come to harm.
Set in the 1998 of the future, the story is about a little girl Gloria whose parents have bought one of the latest series of robots to act as her nanny. Gloria calls him “Robbie�, and the story tells of all the games they play, and how Robbie looks after little Gloria. Robbie cannot talk except to give “rather dull� answers to mathematical questions, but he displays human reactions and behaviour, and appears to Gloria to have the same feelings as she does. Gloria becomes devoted to Robbie, and this worries her mother, because Gloria is far more interested in playing with Robbie than with any other children. Mrs. Weston argues with her husband that Gloria might not learn proper social skills.
With this story Isaac Asimov invented the idea of a “positronic brain�, which functions as a central processing unit (CPU) for robots, which in some unspecified way, provides them with a form of consciousness recognisable to humans. The idea of a child perceiving a robot as a living creature with feelings is irresistible. It has been replayed since, by different authors, but Robbie was the very first of Isaac Asimov’s positronic robot stories to be published. It was only his fourteenth story, and the ninth to be published.
In Robbie we witness the technophobia that surrounds robots. We are told that people were growing to fear robots, and to trying to ban them from the cities. Watching Robbie with Gloria, we see how such fear is misplaced. Isaac Asimov demonstrates his first law of robotics, that a robot shall not harm a human, or by inaction allow a human to come to harm.
I too grew to see Robbie through Gloria’s eyes, although I found it difficult to match Isaac Asimov’s description of him as a parallelepiped. What I had in my mind’s eye throughout, was “Robby the robot� from the television series “Lost in Space�, and also from the classic Science Fiction film “Forbidden Planet� (which was loosely based on Shakespeare’s “The Tempest�). Apparently I had not been far wrong.
Robby the Robot did indeed make his first appearance in “Forbidden Planet�, in 1956. He then made a number of subsequent appearances in science fiction films and television programmes. This included as “Robot B-9� in “Lost in Space� between 1965 and 1968. “Robby� was known in the business as “the hardest working robot in Hollywood�. And Robby’s direct ancestor had been Isaac Asimov’s creation of the lovable, sympathetic robot Robbie in this story. Most of Isaac Asimov’s subsequent robot stories are to do with how robots can help humanity, and how humans should have no fear of robots. He coined the term “Frankenstein complex� to describe this misplaced fear of mechanical men.
I found Robbie to be a very moving story; a Science Fiction story with a lot of heart. The best Science Fiction stories, for me, are the speculative ones. They may be classed as “soft� science fiction by some, and certainly the adventures in space, or routine space operas don’t hold so much appeal for me. It’s all about the ideas: the “what if”s. And this story has them in abundance.
In 2016 Robbie won a retrospective 1941 Hugo Award for the best Science Fiction short story. It was, in my opinion, long overdue.
June 28, 2016
Read as part of the 1941 Retro-Hugo packet.
This was Asimov's very first robot story, and it's simultaneously sweet, entertaining and thought-provoking.
A little girl has been provided by her wealthy father with a newfangled robot companion, specially programmed for childcare - and the two are inseparable. However, her mother has an innate distrust of technology, and her doubts are fed by a growing prejudice against robots in society. She convinces her husband to take Robbie the robot away, and to replace him with a dog.
However, the girl is inconsolable at the loss...
Asimov makes a good (if emotional) case against the resistance to technological change here, and it's fascinating to see the emergence of themes which he further developed later in his career.
This was Asimov's very first robot story, and it's simultaneously sweet, entertaining and thought-provoking.
A little girl has been provided by her wealthy father with a newfangled robot companion, specially programmed for childcare - and the two are inseparable. However, her mother has an innate distrust of technology, and her doubts are fed by a growing prejudice against robots in society. She convinces her husband to take Robbie the robot away, and to replace him with a dog.
However, the girl is inconsolable at the loss...
Asimov makes a good (if emotional) case against the resistance to technological change here, and it's fascinating to see the emergence of themes which he further developed later in his career.
February 16, 2025
Man's second best friend.
Little spoiled Gloria loves playing all day and night with Robbie, her silent robot friend; either playing hide and seek, riding, or just telling stories. But her parents, especially her overbearing mother Grace, are increasingly concerned, since she doesn't seem to care or make friends with any other children, or do any other thing than spending all day with her dearest robot friend. And hell breaks loose, when Robbie *mysteriously* disappears one day.
This was good. Very good! This is apparently the first robot short story ever written by Asimov, and my second read of the man after "Liar!". So far two winners out of two and looking forward to many more.
Truly a quite memorable, touching and thought-provoking story that invites to deep reflection. Loved the bondship between Gloria and Robbie and found the plot and rising tension quite gripping and emotional. Even after only two stories I find Asimov really excels at blurring the sentient line between man and machine, and if this characterizes all his writings, I can see where his sci-fi legendary prowess comes from.
Can a robot have a soul? Maybe, maybe not. Do all humans have a soul? Maybe, maybe not.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1940] [35p] [Sci-Fi] [Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
El segundo mejor amigo del hombre.
A la pequeña y mimada Gloria le encanta jugar día y noche con Robbie, su silencioso amigo robot; ya sea jugando al escondite, montando o simplemente contando historias. Pero sus padres, especialmente su sobreprotectora madre Grace, están cada vez más preocupados, ya que a la nena no parece importarle hacerse amiga de ningún otro niño, ni hacer otra cosa más que pasar todo el día con su querido robot amigo. Y el infierno se desata cuando Robbie *misteriosamente* desaparece un día.
Esto estuvo bien. ¡Muy bien! Al parecer ésta es la primera historia corta escrita por Asimov sobre robots, y mi segunda lectura del hombre después de "¡Mentiroso!". Hasta ahora dos ganadores de dos y esperando leer mucho más.
Realmente una historia bastante memorable, conmovedora y que invita a una reflexión profunda. Me encantó el vínculo entre Gloria y Robbie y la trama y la tensión creciente me pareció bastante atrapante y emotiva. Incluso después de tan sólo dos historias, encuentro que Asimov realmente sobresale en desdibujar la línea de lo conciente entre el hombre y la máquina, y si esto caracteriza todos sus escritos, puedo ver de dónde proviene su legendaria destreza en la ciencia ficción.
¿Puede un robot tener un alma? Quizás, quizás no. ¿Todos los humanos tienen alma? Quizás, quizás no.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1940] [35p] [Ciencia Ficción] [Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
Little spoiled Gloria loves playing all day and night with Robbie, her silent robot friend; either playing hide and seek, riding, or just telling stories. But her parents, especially her overbearing mother Grace, are increasingly concerned, since she doesn't seem to care or make friends with any other children, or do any other thing than spending all day with her dearest robot friend. And hell breaks loose, when Robbie *mysteriously* disappears one day.
This was good. Very good! This is apparently the first robot short story ever written by Asimov, and my second read of the man after "Liar!". So far two winners out of two and looking forward to many more.
Truly a quite memorable, touching and thought-provoking story that invites to deep reflection. Loved the bondship between Gloria and Robbie and found the plot and rising tension quite gripping and emotional. Even after only two stories I find Asimov really excels at blurring the sentient line between man and machine, and if this characterizes all his writings, I can see where his sci-fi legendary prowess comes from.
Can a robot have a soul? Maybe, maybe not. Do all humans have a soul? Maybe, maybe not.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1940] [35p] [Sci-Fi] [Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
El segundo mejor amigo del hombre.
A la pequeña y mimada Gloria le encanta jugar día y noche con Robbie, su silencioso amigo robot; ya sea jugando al escondite, montando o simplemente contando historias. Pero sus padres, especialmente su sobreprotectora madre Grace, están cada vez más preocupados, ya que a la nena no parece importarle hacerse amiga de ningún otro niño, ni hacer otra cosa más que pasar todo el día con su querido robot amigo. Y el infierno se desata cuando Robbie *misteriosamente* desaparece un día.
Esto estuvo bien. ¡Muy bien! Al parecer ésta es la primera historia corta escrita por Asimov sobre robots, y mi segunda lectura del hombre después de "¡Mentiroso!". Hasta ahora dos ganadores de dos y esperando leer mucho más.
Realmente una historia bastante memorable, conmovedora y que invita a una reflexión profunda. Me encantó el vínculo entre Gloria y Robbie y la trama y la tensión creciente me pareció bastante atrapante y emotiva. Incluso después de tan sólo dos historias, encuentro que Asimov realmente sobresale en desdibujar la línea de lo conciente entre el hombre y la máquina, y si esto caracteriza todos sus escritos, puedo ver de dónde proviene su legendaria destreza en la ciencia ficción.
¿Puede un robot tener un alma? Quizás, quizás no. ¿Todos los humanos tienen alma? Quizás, quizás no.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1940] [35p] [Ciencia Ficción] [Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
December 12, 2018
Blev väldigt rörd av denna korta berättelse. Faktiskt oförberedd på det pga sci-FI men jättefin 😭
May 27, 2025
Asimov’s first story in his robot series is the short story “Robbie�. We get a first look at a teenage Susan Calvin and a story about a girl and her robot best friend Robbie.
I lost count how many times I’ve watched the 2004 ‘I, Robot� adaptation with my brother. So next up, the novel. Ready for the book version of the iconic three laws of robotics.
I lost count how many times I’ve watched the 2004 ‘I, Robot� adaptation with my brother. So next up, the novel. Ready for the book version of the iconic three laws of robotics.
November 2, 2021
Collected in , and and found Robbie is the first Asimov Robot story I read decades ago. On re-reading, this story has elements that seem dated. The feel is very 50s nuclear family, and the descriptions of George's attitude towards his fairly "dingbat" manipulative wife are semi-misogynistic. As such, Mrs. Weston comes across like an easily influenced, stubborn, villain.
However, the core of the story, which is the attachment of his little girl Gloria, to the nanny robot, Robbie, is undeniable. Children form all kinds of attachment to inanimate objects - for example, the favorite blankie, plush toy or action figure, to the extent of holding long conversations and even sleeping with that favorite friend, often choosing the familiar over other less predictable human children.
Robbie might not speak, but one does not need speech in order to show love and caring that even a child can understand. This reader can only conclude Asimov is a great student of human psychology as he understands this and demonstrates it to its fullest in this story. After reading this I immediately went to look for my comfort plush toy, the one my Grandmother gave to me that still protects my sleep from bad dreams. As I write this review, I find myself overcome by sentimental tears at the power of the emotion this short story brought out.
However, the core of the story, which is the attachment of his little girl Gloria, to the nanny robot, Robbie, is undeniable. Children form all kinds of attachment to inanimate objects - for example, the favorite blankie, plush toy or action figure, to the extent of holding long conversations and even sleeping with that favorite friend, often choosing the familiar over other less predictable human children.
Robbie might not speak, but one does not need speech in order to show love and caring that even a child can understand. This reader can only conclude Asimov is a great student of human psychology as he understands this and demonstrates it to its fullest in this story. After reading this I immediately went to look for my comfort plush toy, the one my Grandmother gave to me that still protects my sleep from bad dreams. As I write this review, I find myself overcome by sentimental tears at the power of the emotion this short story brought out.
October 19, 2022
Ну такое...
Прочитал как победителя премии Хьюго. Этот рассказ в отрыве от сборника "Я, робот" представляет мало ценности. Упоминание законов роботехники в него просто заретконили (Азимов их придумает позже).
А так, цель сделать робота позитивным и привлекательным не удалась. Робби металлический, у него нет глаз и он creepy af.
Update 2022-10: на английском языке родители Глории выглядят более холодно и отстраненно чем робот с тентаклями. Так что я передумал: для 40х трюк Азимова по гуманизации роботов удался.
Я прочитал этот рассказ для обсуждения на подкасте про научную фантастику «Худо Не Было». Его можно послушать тут:
Прочитал как победителя премии Хьюго. Этот рассказ в отрыве от сборника "Я, робот" представляет мало ценности. Упоминание законов роботехники в него просто заретконили (Азимов их придумает позже).
А так, цель сделать робота позитивным и привлекательным не удалась. Робби металлический, у него нет глаз и он creepy af.
Update 2022-10: на английском языке родители Глории выглядят более холодно и отстраненно чем робот с тентаклями. Так что я передумал: для 40х трюк Азимова по гуманизации роботов удался.
Я прочитал этот рассказ для обсуждения на подкасте про научную фантастику «Худо Не Было». Его можно послушать тут:
August 6, 2014
The first story from Asimov's 'I, Robot' collection is a treat. Tonally, it should prove a nice double bill with his later piece 'The Bicentennial Man'.
May 6, 2024
Beautifully written story! This is my second time listening to it and it's still a wonderful time.
March 17, 2025
Pas super passionnant mais plutôt plaisant du fait de la longueur du bouquin
April 25, 2025
3.5 �
It's a nice story. I like the characters, especially Gloria and the parents. Could've been more fleshed out though.
It's a nice story. I like the characters, especially Gloria and the parents. Could've been more fleshed out though.
November 14, 2016
Robbie was the first thing by Asimov that I ever read. It's the story about a girl who loves her robot, and it introduces one of Asimov's most enduring themes: humanity's unnecessary fear of robots. Writing in contrast to the usual robots are evil and will take over the world, Asimov liked to focus on the fact that robots were machines and were programmed to act in logical ways. Robbie doesn't deal with any of the weirder logical problems of the later robot stories. Instead it sets up robots as unerringly committed to the humans who make them. Because their programs allow them to do nothing else. It's sweet, but hints at the difficulties robotics will encounter in only a few short years after this tale...
March 16, 2016
A great story criticising one of humans' most dear mistakes: caring more about society than about their own family, and refusing to change their mind even when it clearly is not a good idea to keep things the way they are.
January 6, 2019
I picked this story and just went with it. It is a classic that set and solidified the sci-fi genre; for good reason. Nothing more needs to be said.
August 24, 2017
This was a sweet tale of a girl and her robot. What could be better?
April 18, 2024
Por supuesto, aquí tienes una reseña para "Robbie" de Isaac Asimov:
Título: Robbie
Autor: Isaac Asimov
Calificación: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Robbie" de Isaac Asimov es un cuento cautivador que explora las complejidades de la relación entre humanos y robots, anticipando de manera brillante temas que serían centrales en la ciencia ficción moderna.
La historia sigue a una joven llamada Gloria y su fiel robot, Robbie, en un mundo donde los robots son una parte común de la vida cotidiana. A través de los ojos de Gloria, Asimov nos presenta un retrato conmovedor de la profunda conexión emocional que puede surgir entre un humano y una máquina, desafiando las convenciones sociales y las expectativas de la época.
La prosa de Asimov es clara y directa, pero cargada de emoción y profundidad. A medida que la narrativa avanza, el lector se ve inmerso en un mundo donde los robots son más que simples herramientas, sino compañeros leales y protectores. A través de la relación entre Gloria y Robbie, el autor explora temas como la empatía, el prejuicio y la aceptación, ofreciendo una reflexión provocadora sobre lo que significa ser humano.
"Robbie" es un cuento que trasciende su época, ofreciendo una visión atemporal de la relación entre humanos y tecnología. Aunque escrito hace décadas, sigue siendo relevante en la era moderna, donde la inteligencia artificial y la robótica continúan desafiando nuestras concepciones de identidad y moralidad.
En resumen, "Robbie" es un cuento conmovedor y reflexivo que cautiva al lector desde la primera página hasta la última. Con su prosa hábil y su exploración perspicaz de temas universales, Isaac Asimov nos ofrece una obra maestra de la ciencia ficción que sigue siendo tan impactante hoy como lo fue en el momento de su publicación.
February 21, 2025
This was the most wholesome little story about robots that I have ever read so far and I really enjoyed it. Just a simple short story where the robot is, for once, not framed as humanity's worst enemy. A girl named Gloria has a robot giant called Robbie for a best friend. Gloria's mother, Grace, fears that Gloria will choose to spend her time with Robbie instead of bonding with humans. So one day when Gloria is away, presumably at school, Grace replaces Robbie for a dog.
Gloria's parents believe that if they take her on a holiday to explore New York, she will eventually forget all about Robbie. But when this doesn't happen, they start to feel concerned. Gloria's dad George comes up with the idéa to visit the robot factory where Robbie was created, reasoning that if Gloria sees that Robbie is "just a machine", she will lose interest in him immediately. But even this plan backfires.
Gloria is eventually reunited with Robbie and after Robbie saves her life from what otherwise could have resulted in the death for the poor, young girl, the family decides to adopt Robbie back into the household. It's a wholesome, sweet story of friendship and companionship. One that introduces a scenario where one robot and one human can coexist together peacefully. Asimov was for sure far ahead of his time.
Gloria's parents believe that if they take her on a holiday to explore New York, she will eventually forget all about Robbie. But when this doesn't happen, they start to feel concerned. Gloria's dad George comes up with the idéa to visit the robot factory where Robbie was created, reasoning that if Gloria sees that Robbie is "just a machine", she will lose interest in him immediately. But even this plan backfires.
Gloria is eventually reunited with Robbie and after Robbie saves her life from what otherwise could have resulted in the death for the poor, young girl, the family decides to adopt Robbie back into the household. It's a wholesome, sweet story of friendship and companionship. One that introduces a scenario where one robot and one human can coexist together peacefully. Asimov was for sure far ahead of his time.
February 7, 2025
#My journey with Sci-fi Shorts (1996-2024)
This touching tale explores the connection between humans and robots. Set in a future where robots are becoming household buddies, the story follows young Gloria Weston and her unfathomable connection with Robbie, a mute robot who serves as her playmate and protector. However, societal fears about artificial intelligence lead Gloria’s mother to remove Robbie from their home, much to the child’s suffering. Asimov luminously blends science fiction with emotion, showcasing how technology can foster honest relationships rather than just serve functional roles. The story also highlights early concerns about robotics and public distrust, themes that would later become central to Asimov’s Robot series and his famous Three Laws of Robotics. With its heartfelt narrative and forward-thinking ideas, Robbie remains a compelling and timeless read, demonstrating Asimov’s ability to humanize technology while questioning humanity’s own prejudices. It’s a must-read for sci-fi enthusiasts and anyone interested in the ethical implications of AI. This story though based on a concept which has been widely explored in the last half century, reads as alive today as it did when it was first penned. Give it a go.
This touching tale explores the connection between humans and robots. Set in a future where robots are becoming household buddies, the story follows young Gloria Weston and her unfathomable connection with Robbie, a mute robot who serves as her playmate and protector. However, societal fears about artificial intelligence lead Gloria’s mother to remove Robbie from their home, much to the child’s suffering. Asimov luminously blends science fiction with emotion, showcasing how technology can foster honest relationships rather than just serve functional roles. The story also highlights early concerns about robotics and public distrust, themes that would later become central to Asimov’s Robot series and his famous Three Laws of Robotics. With its heartfelt narrative and forward-thinking ideas, Robbie remains a compelling and timeless read, demonstrating Asimov’s ability to humanize technology while questioning humanity’s own prejudices. It’s a must-read for sci-fi enthusiasts and anyone interested in the ethical implications of AI. This story though based on a concept which has been widely explored in the last half century, reads as alive today as it did when it was first penned. Give it a go.
July 18, 2023
Originally published as “Strange Playfellow,� “Robbie� is an SF story from the 40s and one by Asimov, so it’s no surprise that elements of it are incredibly dated. And I don’t mean the idea that we’d have human-like robots as child caregivers in 1998, but the depiction of stereotypical gender roles. The story itself is an early one in Asimov’s robot stories where his major character Susan Calvin is depicted in one scene as a teenager. It’s also an early robot story for its lack of subtlety with regard to his famous Laws of Robotics. Normally, in one of those stories, a loophole (or supposed one) in the law accounts for the thought experiment which the story is wrapped around. The plotting here is a lot less involved. We get a picture of how well the robot acts with the child, how neighborhood peer pressure and traditional concepts lead the mother to want to remove the robot from the relationship, to the finale where the father engineers a way for the child and robot to be together once again. Mother is a shrew and vain but Father knows best. Interesting from a historical view of SFF, especially considering how stories about robots have been updated to be stories about AI.
July 13, 2018
In reviewing I,Robot I figured it would be easier to review each short story separately, otherwise the main book's review would be quite lengthy.
With all the Sci-Fi movies, tv shows and books that we've been getting over the past years, this particular story would seem quite usual, in fact you probably would be able to figure out the entire plot just by reading the first few pages.
However keep in mind that this story was written half a century ago, when robots were mere ideas, and almost everything people got at the time were merely the results of Asimov's wild imagination.
However one issue that I take with this particular story is that there is very little emphasis on the laws of robotics, and how they came to be, in fact the entire story only mentions one of the three laws of robotics, and not even directly. For a casual reader that's just passing by, he/she's bound to think, I wonder what other laws are there?
Still I think that this is a great start for the series and serves as a good intro to the whole idea of robots at home.
With all the Sci-Fi movies, tv shows and books that we've been getting over the past years, this particular story would seem quite usual, in fact you probably would be able to figure out the entire plot just by reading the first few pages.
However keep in mind that this story was written half a century ago, when robots were mere ideas, and almost everything people got at the time were merely the results of Asimov's wild imagination.
However one issue that I take with this particular story is that there is very little emphasis on the laws of robotics, and how they came to be, in fact the entire story only mentions one of the three laws of robotics, and not even directly. For a casual reader that's just passing by, he/she's bound to think, I wonder what other laws are there?
Still I think that this is a great start for the series and serves as a good intro to the whole idea of robots at home.
September 25, 2023
"Gloria had a grip about the robot’s neck that would have asphyxiated any creature but one of metal, and was prattling nonsense in half-hysterical frenzy. Robbie’s chrome-steel arms (capable of bending a bar of steel two inches in diameter into a pretzel) wound about the little girl gently and lovingly, and his eyes glowed a deep, deep red."
Not sure why, but for some reason this line really resonated with me. The idea that Robbie is faster, stronger, smarter, and superior to Gloria in almost every way, and yet despite all of this he is still so gentle and loving is really touching.
Not sure why, but for some reason this line really resonated with me. The idea that Robbie is faster, stronger, smarter, and superior to Gloria in almost every way, and yet despite all of this he is still so gentle and loving is really touching.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2024
This is in the collections, , and .
Another super good little story wherein we look at the future of childcare in our AI future, a future coming to a town near you.
Also the first story in which Susan Calvin appears, albeit briefly, as a young student.
Next up is going to be, .
Another super good little story wherein we look at the future of childcare in our AI future, a future coming to a town near you.
Also the first story in which Susan Calvin appears, albeit briefly, as a young student.
Next up is going to be, .
November 10, 2019
Mi profesora de lengua me ha mandado reseñar un relato de Isaac Asimov. Una parte de, "Sueños de Robot". Me ha fascinado, y he revisado a ver si tenía por casa algo de este autor, y me he encontrado con "Yo Robot" "Robbie". He leído esta primera historia y me ha gustado bastante. Una gran relación entre un robot y una niña de 8 años. De todas formas, le ha faltado el punto apocalíptico del relato anteriormente mencionado. Seguiré leyendo el retso de relatos de "Yo Robot" mas adelante.
January 17, 2024
A sentimental yet sincere and heartbreaking story about what happens when a little girl’s only friend, a robot named Robbie, is taken away. This story is very sappy and Asimov doesn’t really know how to write young girls, but it is still sweet and presents a very compelling case to let robots be friends with humans. Although I can definitely see a modern-day Gloria getting into a codependent relationship with an AI and committing suicide after her parents forbid contact.
January 31, 2024
With the core issue of social acceptance and unproven safety in the eyes of the public, a robot aptly named robbie by the child it is meant to look after and entertain.
Should robots replace humans even in social environments as far as creating friendships? Are their clear limitations a hindrance?
Thought provoking with not a hint of a twist.
Should robots replace humans even in social environments as far as creating friendships? Are their clear limitations a hindrance?
Thought provoking with not a hint of a twist.
March 1, 2024
Obviously this is one of Asimov's best robot stories but its difficult to decide who's right about the relationship of the little girl and Robbie. Can an Artificial Life replace real people? This is addressed in other scifi series which I'd like to rewatch and read if they're books. e.g. Humans based on Real Humans written by Jonathan Brackley and Sam Vincent.
April 18, 2018
A tale more interesting as reflection than as history and very current: how we develop more empathy with electronic devices than with other living beings, humans or even dogs, animals that historically we have so much affection.
January 24, 2020
Ethical and cultural issues related to technology.
I's fascinating, how the issues we face today, were envisioned by Asimov decades ago: societal pressure to behave in relation to gadgets, perceived threats by robots, kids addiction to tech etc.
I's fascinating, how the issues we face today, were envisioned by Asimov decades ago: societal pressure to behave in relation to gadgets, perceived threats by robots, kids addiction to tech etc.
May 10, 2018
Hermosa historia
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