Robot B-9
Encyclopedia
The B-9, Class M-3 General Utility Non-Theorizing Environmental Control Robot was a character in the television series Lost in Space
. Known and addressed simply as "Robot", his full designation was only occasionally mentioned on the show.
in a prop costume built by Bob Stewart. The voice was dubbed by Dick Tufeld
, who was also the series' narrator. The Robot was designed by Robert Kinoshita
, who also designed Forbidden Planet
s Robby the Robot
. Robby appears in Lost in Space episode #20 "War of the Robots". The Robot did not appear in the unaired pilot episode but was added to the series once it had been greenlit.
Initially, the bellows-covered legs were articulated, and were moved separately by the actor inside. However, the metal edges inside the suit cut actor Bob May's legs, so changes were made. The legs were bolted together, and the robot was pulled along by a wire instead of walking like it had done before. A new lower section was constructed with the legs cut off at the knee. This was filmed either in close-up or behind something to obscure the actor's feet protruding out the bottom.
The Robot possessed powerful computers that allowed him to make complex calculations and to deduce many facts. He had a variety of sensors that detected numerous phenomena and dangers. He was programmed with extensive knowledge on many subjects, including how to operate the Jupiter 2 spaceship. His construction allowed him to function in extreme environments and in the vacuum of space. He was extremely strong, giving him utility both in performing difficult labor and in fighting when necessary. Moreover, his claws could fire laser beams and, most frequently, a powerful "electro-force" that was similar to arcing electricity.
filming: a 'Hero Robot' costume worn by Bob May
, and a static, 'Stunt Robot' prop that was used for distant or hazardous shots. Both versions fell into disrepair after the series, but these have since been discovered and restored. The 'Hero' is privately owned by TV and film producer Kevin Burns
, who commissioned a replica in the early 1990s for touring and conventions. The 'Stunt Robot' is in storage at the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle, Washington
.
Like Robby the Robot, the B-9 Robot prop costume was re-used on at least one other show. On the Saturday morning children's show Mystery Island
, it was modified to make the primary character "P.R.O.P.S.". P.R.O.P.S. had different domes, different color scheme, and an added rectangular skirt of gold-colored tubes, covering the rubber bellows legs and treaded base.
Full-size replicas of the robot are available commercially from B9Creations and Hammacher Schlemmer, for $24,500. Other versions have been built by hobbyists around the world, who have built at least 15 detailed full-size replicas of the Robot.
Lost in Space
Lost in Space is a science fiction TV series created and produced by Irwin Allen, filmed by 20th Century Fox Television, and broadcast on CBS. The show ran for three seasons, with 83 episodes airing between September 15, 1965, and March 6, 1968...
. Known and addressed simply as "Robot", his full designation was only occasionally mentioned on the show.
History
Although a machine endowed with superhuman strength and futuristic weaponry, he often displayed human characteristics such as laughter, sadness, and mockery as well as singing and playing the guitar. The Robot was performed by Bob MayBob May (actor)
Bob May was an American actor best remembered for playing The Robot on the television series Lost in Space, which debuted in 1965 and ran until 1968...
in a prop costume built by Bob Stewart. The voice was dubbed by Dick Tufeld
Dick Tufeld
Dick Tufeld is an American actor, announcer, narrator, and voice actor from the 1950s onward.He is perhaps best known as the voice of the Robot in the TV series Lost in Space, a role he reprised for the 1998 feature film...
, who was also the series' narrator. The Robot was designed by Robert Kinoshita
Robert Kinoshita
Robert Kinoshita is an artist, art director, and set and production designer who worked in the American film and television industries from the 1950s through the early 1980s.-Biography:...
, who also designed Forbidden Planet
Forbidden Planet
Forbidden Planet is a 1956 science fiction film directed by Fred M. Wilcox, with a screenplay by Cyril Hume. It stars Leslie Nielsen, Walter Pidgeon, and Anne Francis. The characters and its setting have been compared to those in William Shakespeare's The Tempest, and its plot contains certain...
s Robby the Robot
Robby the Robot
Robby the Robot is a fictional character who has made a number of appearances in science fiction movies and television programs after his first appearance in the 1956 MGM science fiction film Forbidden Planet.-Overview:...
. Robby appears in Lost in Space episode #20 "War of the Robots". The Robot did not appear in the unaired pilot episode but was added to the series once it had been greenlit.
Initially, the bellows-covered legs were articulated, and were moved separately by the actor inside. However, the metal edges inside the suit cut actor Bob May's legs, so changes were made. The legs were bolted together, and the robot was pulled along by a wire instead of walking like it had done before. A new lower section was constructed with the legs cut off at the knee. This was filmed either in close-up or behind something to obscure the actor's feet protruding out the bottom.
Features and abilities
Robot B-9 consisted, from top down, of- A glass bubble sensor unit with moving antennae;
- A fluted, translucent ring collar (actually an arrangement of shaped ribs, through which performer Bob May could see);
- A cylindrical, rotating trunk section with extending bellows arms that terminated in red mechanical claws. The trunk section had controls, indicators, a removable power pack and a signature chest light that illuminated in sync with the Robot's speech (May had a key inside the suit that he would tap in time with his speech to illuminate the light, resulting in some scenes where one of the claws can be seen moving in time with the light);
- Bellows legs that were understood to move with some agility but which, due to real-world practical limitations, were rarely seen on camera to move separately; and
- Trapezoidal tread-tractor units at the bottom of each leg. These normally paired as a single locomotive device, but they also could function as individual feet. The leg and tractor sections apparently could be readily detached, allowing the Robot to be positioned in the rear of the Chariot ATV, although the actual disconnect operation was depicted only once.
The Robot possessed powerful computers that allowed him to make complex calculations and to deduce many facts. He had a variety of sensors that detected numerous phenomena and dangers. He was programmed with extensive knowledge on many subjects, including how to operate the Jupiter 2 spaceship. His construction allowed him to function in extreme environments and in the vacuum of space. He was extremely strong, giving him utility both in performing difficult labor and in fighting when necessary. Moreover, his claws could fire laser beams and, most frequently, a powerful "electro-force" that was similar to arcing electricity.
After Lost In Space
Two versions of the robot were used during Lost in SpaceLost in Space
Lost in Space is a science fiction TV series created and produced by Irwin Allen, filmed by 20th Century Fox Television, and broadcast on CBS. The show ran for three seasons, with 83 episodes airing between September 15, 1965, and March 6, 1968...
filming: a 'Hero Robot' costume worn by Bob May
Bob May (actor)
Bob May was an American actor best remembered for playing The Robot on the television series Lost in Space, which debuted in 1965 and ran until 1968...
, and a static, 'Stunt Robot' prop that was used for distant or hazardous shots. Both versions fell into disrepair after the series, but these have since been discovered and restored. The 'Hero' is privately owned by TV and film producer Kevin Burns
Kevin Burns
Kevin Burns is an American television and film producer, director, and screenwriter. His work can be seen on A&E, National Geographic Channel, E!, Animal Planet, AMC, Bravo, Travel Channel, Lifetime, and The History Channel.-Early life:...
, who commissioned a replica in the early 1990s for touring and conventions. The 'Stunt Robot' is in storage at the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
.
Like Robby the Robot, the B-9 Robot prop costume was re-used on at least one other show. On the Saturday morning children's show Mystery Island
Mystery Island
Mystery Island was a live-action segment on the CBS Saturday morning package program The Skatebirds , produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions.-Plot:...
, it was modified to make the primary character "P.R.O.P.S.". P.R.O.P.S. had different domes, different color scheme, and an added rectangular skirt of gold-colored tubes, covering the rubber bellows legs and treaded base.
Full-size replicas of the robot are available commercially from B9Creations and Hammacher Schlemmer, for $24,500. Other versions have been built by hobbyists around the world, who have built at least 15 detailed full-size replicas of the Robot.