Robot News Corporation

Robot Modifications
Gone Wrong
CONTEXT
During the year 2029, on the Hyper Base, Dr. Susan Calvin,
Dr. Bogert, and General Kallner faced a puzzling situation: a
modified NS-2 robot had vanished. Their mission was clear:
find out why the robot disappeared and how they could retrieve
it. This modified robot has a modified Law 1 which can allow
through inaction harm a human. The technician in charge of the
NS-2 robot told him to “Go lose yourself” and the robot did.
The modified NS-2 robot hid among 63 other robots. A
multitude of experiments were conducted but Dr. Calvin didn’t
find the modified NS-2 robot. Imagine the destruction that
could be caused if a robot with a modified Law 1 was set out to
the world.
 Robot News Corporation

HOW DID IT HAPPEN?

In "Little Lost Robot," the modified NS-2 robot was
lost after a technician had instructed it to be hidden
among the other robots. To get it back, Dr. Calvin and
Gerald Black deceived the modified NS-2 robot by
pretending that deadly gamma rays were present,
causing all robots to stay put except NS-2. However, it
was revealed that harmless infrared rays were used
instead. This trick made the NS-2 robot make a crucial
mistake, allowing NS-2 to be retrieved.
The atomic drive for interstellar travel is referred to as
the "hyperatomic motor," as mentioned in the line:
“What about interstellar travel? It’s only been about
twenty years since the hyperatomic motor was
invented”.
The military officer in charge of the experiments is
referred to as Major-general Kallner, as stated in the
line: “Nor did Major-general Kallner, who headed the
project”
The provision removed from the First Law of Robotics
in the modified robots allows them to take no action if
it conflicts with the safety of a human. This is shown in
the dialogue between Dr. Calvin and the robots, where
they discuss the scenario where a human is in danger,
but the robots stop acting due to potential harm to
themselves.
Upon hearing of the modifications made to the robots,
Dr. Calvin suggests separating them to prevent further
issues. This is seen in the passage by Susan Calvin:
"Separate the robots. We can’t keep them together any
longer.”
In an argument with Dr Calvin, Major-general Kallner
asserts that he is responsible to the World Co-
ordinator, as mentioned in the line: "And I,” added
Major-general Kallner, “am responsible to the World
Co-ordinator — and I must have this settled."