In this blog post, we’ll examine Lester del Rey’s “The Runaway Robot” to explore whether robots can possess human-like thoughts and emotions, and what ethical issues we must consider for robots to coexist with humans.
How did Rex, a robot with a human mind, come to be?
Everyone has probably wondered at least once whether a machine, such as a robot, could possess a human mind. While current science and technology cannot prove that robots possess subjective consciousness or emotions like humans, if a robot were to have a human mind, it would spark widespread debate and differing opinions. As science and technology advance daily, it’s possible that, in the not-too-distant future, robots might think and make judgments in the same way humans do. There is a book that explores this very idea: ‘The Runaway Robot’ by American author Lester Del Rey, which unfolds this story in an intriguing way. Since the book was first published in 1965, it feels somewhat dated, and it depicts technologies that already exist today as futuristic concepts from that era; however, the premise that Rex—the robot at the center of the story—possesses a human mind is highly fascinating. The plot begins in the very distant future on Ganymede, Jupiter’s third moon, where a robot named Q=5=7=256—commonly known as Rex—lives. Rex is the household robot of Roger Simpson, the governor of Ganymede, and is also very close to Roger’s son, Paul. Here, the term “household robot” refers to a high-end robot capable of making judgments like a human, as well as reading and speaking. One day, when his owner, Roger Simpson, moves back to Earth, he is forced to sell Rex to someone else due to high shipping costs. Throughout this process, Rex is portrayed as a passive being who cannot yet make his own decisions and merely obeys his owner’s commands. After Rex is sold, the Simpson family prepares to depart for Earth. Paul, Simpson’s son—who was particularly fond of Rex—hatches a plan to steal Rex and return to Earth with him. Paul escapes from the spaceship bound for Earth and heads to a hideout in the desert where he shares memories with Rex. Rex, too, decides he wants to see Paul one last time, so he escapes from the farm where he was sold and heads to the desert hideout, where he meets up with Paul. This is the first scene in the book where Rex, the robot, makes a decision of his own free will. From this point on, the story becomes very exciting, as the two devise a plan to travel together to Earth via Mars. Paul boldly attempts to stow away on a cargo ship called the ‘Traveler’ and, having succeeded, arrives on Mars. Having decided to sneak aboard a spacecraft traveling from Mars to Earth, the two board it together at first. However, Rex concludes that it would be dangerous for Paul to travel to Earth with him, so—for Paul’s sake—he allows only Paul to board the spacecraft bound for Earth while he secretly disembarks without Paul’s knowledge. Ultimately, Rex is unable to go to Earth and is left behind, watching the spacecraft depart from Mars for Earth. Left alone, Rex wanders around the spaceport and comes across a mad robot holding a human hostage. After subduing the robot, his efforts are recognized, and he is allowed to go to Earth, where he is reunited with Paul. The story concludes with the scene where Rex, despite being a robot, sheds tears of joy upon seeing Paul again.
Does Rex truly possess a human heart?
This science fiction novel is written from the first-person perspective of a robot named Rex. Although Rex has only one eye and a mechanical body—and thus does not have a human form—his way of thinking is very similar to that of a human. He judges situations fairly and always tries to help his owner, Paul, even at the cost of his own safety. Rex’s most distinctive trait is that, unlike other robots or machines, he has his own thoughts. This aspect is made even clearer by the first-person narrative, but it is also evident in passages where he feels shame when his pants fall down or sadness when he has to part ways with Paul. Moreover, in the scene toward the end where he is reunited with Paul, he even sheds tears. While this book does not explain in detail how Rex came to possess such human-like qualities, it is certainly worth considering whether such a thing is actually possible.
What kind of ethics are necessary for robots to coexist with humans?
As robot-related technology advances, we must also consider ethical issues surrounding robots. In the past, discussions took place in South Korea aimed at establishing ethical standards to prevent humans from misusing robots and, conversely, to prevent situations where robots might harm humans. In 2007, the South Korean government initiated efforts to draft a Robot Ethics Charter aimed at manufacturers and users, forming a working group that included experts, futurists, and science fiction writers. However, rather than becoming a final, officially established charter, the Robot Ethics Charter proposed at that time remained an unfinished project, with the need for revisions and improvements continuing to be debated. Recently, ethical discussions have moved beyond focusing solely on robots to establish systems and ethical standards that encompass the safety, reliability, and accountability of artificial intelligence, as well as human oversight and supervision. In South Korea, the “Framework Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence and the Establishment of a Trust-Based Environment” has been in effect since January 22, 2026, and it requires high-impact artificial intelligence systems to implement risk management, user protection, human oversight and supervision, and measures to ensure safety and reliability. The European Union is also implementing the AI Act, which regulates AI systems based on their risk levels, with most provisions taking effect on August 2, 2026. The EU’s Ethical Guidelines for Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence also set forth key principles such as human oversight, technical robustness and safety, privacy protection, transparency, diversity and fairness, social and environmental well-being, and accountability. One of the most critical concerns regarding robot ethics is safety. While robots were once developed and used exclusively in industrial settings or the defense sector, they have now become a technology familiar to the general public. Household robots, such as robotic vacuum cleaners, are already widely used, and robotic toys have also become familiar products to children.
As these robots become increasingly intelligent, the question of who is responsible—for example, who attacked whom first, or who caused harm to whom—may become unclear. Should the designer be held responsible? Should the user be held responsible? Should the robot be held responsible? Robots fall into two broad categories: physical robots that can be touched, and digital software systems that cannot be touched. Digital systems can make decisions in ways just as complex as computer programs. Consider, for example, the case of financial decision-making. If such an intelligent software system makes a wrong decision and causes enormous losses, who will bear the responsibility? Current regulations regarding artificial intelligence also address these issues by treating safety, user protection, human management and supervision, and accountability as key factors.
What would change if robots developed human minds?
Based on current science and technology and our general understanding, it is difficult to conclusively assert that robots can possess a human mind. If we examine how “human-like” can be defined, the dictionary definition refers to a person’s character, personality, emotions, and the like, or the possession of such qualities. While it is difficult to view current machines—as mere mechanisms—as possessing these qualities, we cannot completely rule out the possibility that, as various scientific and technological advancements continue, robots might develop characteristics similar to the human mind.
If that were to happen, what kind of world would unfold? Since robots would possess human-like minds, would they be treated as equals to humans? Is such treatment morally unproblematic? If robots feel pain, should they be granted special rights? If robots possess emotions, should they have the right to marry humans? Should robots be granted personal intellectual property rights or property rights? These and many other issues would arise. There are already many works in movies, books, and other media that depict such scenarios. In the book ‘The Runaway Robot’, the robot finds itself in a situation where it helps humans but is not treated as a human. It is viewed simply as a machine that performs tasks and as a commodity to be bought and sold.
As time passes and science advances, numerous controversies will arise in various fields—not just regarding whether robots can possess human minds or not. While it may not be easy to determine what is right or wrong, these controversies will require careful consideration. The behavior Rex exhibits in ‘The Runaway Robot’ goes beyond being merely a story from an old science fiction novel; it prompts us to consider what standards humans should use to evaluate the actions of machines in an era where artificial intelligence and robots assist or even replace human judgment.
