
R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots)
by Karel Čapek
- First published
- 1920
- Reading level
- Easy
- Price
- Free
About the book
"R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots)" by Karel Čapek is a science fiction play written in 1920. It introduced the word "robot" to the English language. The play is set in a factory that produces artificial workers from synthetic organic matter—living beings of flesh and blood who serve humanity. When Helena arrives to advocate for robot liberation, she encounters a world transformed by these artificial beings. But the very universality of robots may present an unforeseen danger to humanity itself.
- Robots
- Science fiction plays
- Czech drama
Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #59112. R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots) on Wikipedia.

