From its first conception in
RUR, the idea of
robot has been that of
slave.
It is curious, that this notion is what motivates people throughout time. First, it is justified by race, gender, sexual orientation. Now it's much more simplified--property.
The engineers in RUR presented their creation as the answer to all of humanity's needs. But their success was merely in failing to question the question itself.
All the problems Karl Capek presented in so compelling a manner, came about precisely because of this attempt to make a technical answer.
Why is it so easy to see and accept a technical answer, than to look deep?
But the answer to this question, at least, is easy--the technological answer is always the easier one.