I, Robot (Asimov's Robot Series 1) by Isaac Asimov

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Description

The three laws of Robotics: 1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm 2) A robot must obey orders givein to it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3) A robot must protect its own existence as long... read more

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Summary

I, Robot is a collection of nine science fiction short stories by Isaac Asimov, first published by Gnome Press in 1950 in an edition of 5,000 copies. The stories originally appeared in the American magazines Super Science Stories and Astounding Science Fiction between 1940 and 1950. The... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Cast of Characters/Important People

Dr. Susan Calvin: Dr Calvin is a fictional character from Isaac Asimov's Robot Series. She was the chief robopsychologist at US Robots and Mechanical Men, Inc., the major manufacturer of robots in the 21st century. She was the main character in many short stories from the books I, Robot and The Complete Robot. (Source: Wikipedia)
Gregory Powell: Together with Mike Donavan, they are fictional characters from Isaac Asimov's Robot short stories. They are practical engineers rather than theoretical roboticists, field specialists for US Robots and Mechanical Men, and are employed mainly on testing new or experimental robots in practical situations — either on planets or space stations (robots are banned on Earth). They regularly get into complex and potentially dangerous situations when trying to solve robot issues in the field. The issues typically involve the Three Laws of Robotics. (Source: Wikipedia)
Mike Donovan: Together with Gregory Powell, they are fictional characters from Isaac Asimov's Robot short stories. They are practical engineers rather than theoretical roboticists, field specialists for US Robots and Mechanical Men, and are employed mainly on testing new or experimental robots in practical situations — either on planets or space stations (robots are banned on Earth). They regularly get into complex and potentially dangerous situations when trying to solve robot issues in the field. The issues typically involve the Three Laws of Robotics. (Source: Wikipedia)
Alfred Lanning: Dr. Alfred J. Lanning is a fictional character from the short stories and movie of I, Robot. In the movie he is played by James Cromwell. Lanning is the Director of Research at U.S. Robotics. His assistant and assumed successor is Peter Bogert. (Source: Wikipedia)
Lawrence Robertson: Lawrence Robertson is the co-founder of U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men, the largest robots and advanced technologies company in Asimov's world. His first appearance is in the story "Liar!". (Source: Wikipedia)
Peter Bogert: Dr. Peter Bogert was second in command after Alfred Lanning, he is many times characterized as trying to seize position from Lanning. He is, however, a brilliant mathematician and is many times successful in the novels where he is featured, mainly those with Susan Calvin as main character. In Liar!, he asks the robot if Lanning is about to retire, and the robot says yes, and that Bogert is the obvious successor. Bogert uses this to increase his power on the plant, but Lanning gets enraged by this sudden change in hierarchy and makes sure Bogert understands who is in charge. Bogert later succeeds Lanning as Director of Research at U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men. (Source Wikipedia)

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Memorable Quotes

“No employee makes the same mistake twice. He is fired the first time.”

Setting & Important Places

Organizations

US Robots: The fictional corporation U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men, Inc. is the major manufacturer of robots in the 21st century in Isaac Asimov's Robot Series of novels and short stories.

First Sentence

I looked at my notes and I didn't like them.

1. Robbie
2. Runaround
3. Reason
4. Catch that Rabbit
5. Liar!
6. Little Lost Robot
7. Escape!
8. Evidence
9. The Evitable Conflict

Glossary

Three Laws of Robotics: 1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 2. A robot must obey any orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Errata

The film I, Robot, starring Will Smith, was released by Twentieth Century Fox on July 16, 2004 in the United States. Its plot is not based on any one story in the collection but does incorporate elements of "Little Lost Robot" and other stories, and uses many of Asimov's characters and ideas about robots, including the Three Laws. (Source: Wikipedia)