The first 33 RB robots were built without problems, but the 34th can read minds. He starts chatting with one of the US Robot executives by discussing, not anything the man says, but what he is thinking. It is an amazing development; the company’s top brass decides to find out why.

While the other managers review the complex procedures for building positronic brains, in search of anything that might have triggered the new ability, Dr. Calvin interviews RB-34—“Herbie”—and tries to learn how he reads minds and whether it alters his behaviors.

She starts by bringing Herbie several large books that he requested on hyperatomic motors. The robot finishes them within half an hour, then pronounces them “all so incredibly simple, that it’s scarcely worth bothering about” (95). He does enjoy fiction, however, with its exploration of human feelings and desires. It helps him understand the incredible complexity of the human minds that he listens in on.

Dr. Calvin realizes that Herbie already knows she believes she is unattractive and has no hope of catching the eye of factory line technologist Milton Ashe. Herbie offers to help her: He says there are other attractive qualities besides looks. Dr. Calvin cannot believe a robot will be much help to a psychologist, but Herbie surprises her by announcing that Ashe loves her and is quite drawn to her intellect.