History Main / UnnecessarilyCreepyRobot

* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'': In "Soos and the Real Girl", Stan shows off Goldie, a nickel-operated animatronic gold prospector that's supposed to give a "gold nugget" to customers. It was already creepy, but its age and poor maintenance causes it to leak oil (especially from its mouth and eyes), fall apart, and shriek when used.

* ''Fanfic/RocketshipVoyager''. After Voyager is abducted by aliens, Captain Janeway wakes up naked, floating in mid-air surrounded by members of her crew impaled on tubes and needles, while a [[GiantSpider giant metal spider]] with [[ExtraEyes eight]] [[RedEyesTakeWarning red eyes]] scuttles across the ceiling towards her. Janeway's only reaction is a petulant demand to be released from Sickbay, as it's just the ship's {{Autodoc}}.
* Invoked InUniverse in ''Fanfic/SomethingAlwaysRemains''. [[VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys Mike Schmidt]] comes to Freddy Fazbear's Pizza as an adult, and wonders how he ''ever'' got close to the animatronics as a kid, as they freak him out long before they [[KillerRobot start to roam the place]].

* ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'':
** It takes place in a SuckECheeses where the animatronics are not only really creepy looking, but roam around the restaurant at night -- and, due to [[AIIsACrapshoot shoddy programming]], see anybody they find as a robot out of costume and try to jam them into a suit filled with wires and electronics. The managers are evidently too cheap to get any of these things fixed. The truth is even more disturbing: [[spoiler:the animatronics are HauntedTechnology possessed by the vengeful ghosts of murdered children.]]

* ''VideoGame/IllWill2023'' has the SPider enemies, gigantic robotic eyeballs on mechanical spider-legs that chases after you relentlessly. Their KingMook counterpart, King Spider, takes it up a notch being a building-sized robotic eye that stares ''into your soul''.

* ''VideoGame/MetroidDread'': Despite being explicitly designed as research and surveillance drones, the E.M.M.I. have a rather intimidating appearance with their human-like build that can shift to an animalistic stance, clawed hands and feet, and their giant glowing eye. Which makes it all the more inconvenient (if aesthetically appropriate) when they go rogue.

* Every robot in ''Manga/{{Blame}}''. Also every {{silicon|BasedLife}} [[{{Cyborg}} creature]]. Actually just ''everything'' in that manga, period. Except Iko, a cute ghost-hologram-like girl [[BuffySpeak thingy]].

* The classic ''{{Series/Doctor Who}}'' serial "Robot" introduced the K1, a robot designed to do dangerous work in place of humans, like mining and handling radioactive materials. Considering its purpose was for heavy labor, it being big and bulky is understandable, and even the pincer hands could be a practical choice. But why the [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/tardis/images/a/a5/Robot_big.jpg eyeless face that's always glaring,]] and the voice that [[NoIndoorVoice can only speak in an aggressive bellow]]?
* ''Series/{{Eureka}}'' features "Tiny," an experimental extra-terrestrial explorer robot. It's built like a giant wolf and has the obligatory glowing red eyes and laser cannons. Carter even calls it out as an "unnecessarily creepy design."
* The Watchbird drones from the ''Series/MastersOfScienceFiction'' episode "Watchbird" were originally designed for military use in the middle east, and like any other military drone, moves too fast and too high up for the target to be able to see them clearly for them to have any psychological effect. Despite this, they were designed to look like creepy metallic eagles.
* In ''Series/OtherSpace'' Kent designs a body for AI Natasha so she can operate outside the ship. It's a mechanical spider.

* The classic ''Series/{{Star Trek|The Original Series}}'' episode "What Are Little Girls Made Of?" features androids that are superficially identical to humans... and then there's Ruk, the monstrous giant android portrayed by [[Series/TheAddamsFamily Ted "Lurch" Cassidy]]. He was an older "model" android, and so perhaps not as elegantly designed as newer ones, but still, he's much more intimidating than he needs to be.

* In the ''Series/RedDwarf'' Season XI episode "Give and Take", we have Asclepius, which features: [[CyberCyclops a single massive eye]] that is {{Sickly Green Glow}}ing, a mouth-grill that looks like [[MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily an impossibly massive set of fangs]] curled into a permanent SlasherSmile, a body designed like a stereotypical MadScientist labcoat, one hand that's a rotating array of blades and pincers, and another hand that's basically a cannon. Its designated function? ''Medical diagnosis and surgery''.
* ''Series/{{Loki|2021}}'': The [[TimePolice TVA's]] "Nudifier" robot is designed to get prisoners changed out of the clothes they came in with and into their [[InstitutionalApparel jumpsuits]]. For god knows what reason, the machine built for this simple task is a hulking, four-armed monstrosity that protrudes from the wall and has a constantly twitching smiley icon [[TVHeadRobot on a TV monitor]] for a face. It is also totally unwilling to take "no" for an answer, has NoSenseOfPersonalSpace, and seems to [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything enjoy]] stripping prisoners ''way'' too much; poor Loki practically looks like he's been sexually assaulted after it burns off all his clothes with a DisintegratorRay.

* Robotics developers [[https://www.bostondynamics.com Boston Dynamics]] have been half-jokingly accused of deliberately leaning into this trope. Many of their designs are meant to BE proofs of concepts, testing things like object detection and avoidance, and reaction to changing terrains or conditions. As such, they look conspicuously "incomplete" as they are tested in the lab and the outside world, moving in disturbingly-naturalistic ways while clearly missing parts that would make organic beings more at ease. A few standout models include "Spot," which can climb stairs, open doors, and run up to 45 mph; "Big Dog", which is basically a headless hydraulic mule; and their first humanoid model, which they rather ominously chose to name "Atlas".

* Depending on how you define "robot" (ie - artificial life form, construct, etc.), the FrankensteinsMonster. The Monster is a grotesque abomination with a humanoid form, a crude imitation of human life whose creator abandoned him almost immediately after his "birth". The story unfolds as it does for this very reason: the Monster's initial kindness giving way to violent misanthropy stems from his [[UncannyValley hideousness]] causing everyone he interacts with to reject him. The book does note that the creepiness only starts after bringing Adam to life, and Frankenstein was aiming for beauty.

** Toy Chica invokes this during the second game: when she begins to roam the halls, she ditches her beak and eyes, turning an [[UncannyValley already creepy robot]] into something of nightmares.

* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'': In "Soos and the Real Girl", Stan shows off Goldie, a nickel-operated animatronic gold prospector that's supposed to give a "gold nugget" to customers. It already suffered from UncannyValley, but its age and poor maintenance causes it to leak oil (especially from its mouth and eyes), fall apart, and shriek when used.

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': [[RobotMe Holo-Pearl]] is a HardLight projection of Pearl meant to be a simple sparring partner, but very conspicuous shortcuts in its appearance make it fall deep in the UncannyValley, having a one track mind focused on fighting, talking like a robot, and, while in "wait mode", just staring off into nothing. Also, every time it furrows its brow, its blue eyes turn [[RedEyesTakeWarning red]], which is probably supposed to be scary.

[[PlayedForDrama Drama.]]

* ''VideoGame/Fallout76'' gives us [[https://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/MODUS MODUS,]] the Enclave supercomputer, who, due to some damage to its systems has all the personality of a sociopath incapable of reading social cues. Even when trying to be helpful it comes across as FauxAffablyEvil at the best of times. The digital avatar on its screen looks like a younger [[Characters/BatmanCentralRoguesGallery Hugo Strange]] and even when trying to smile looks like he's seconds away from trying to skin you.

* ''VideoGame/Fallout76'' gives us [[https://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/MODUS MODUS,]] the Enclave supercomputer, who, due to some damage to its systems has all the personality of a sociopath incapable of reading social cues. Even when trying to be helpful it comes across as FauxAffablyEvil at the best of times.

** And because not taking everything creepy UpToEleven is an act of heresy in Imperium, there're also Cherubs -- ''baby''-shaped servitors whose small frames and angelic wings fit oh so perfectly with crude cybernetics.

* ''Film/ColossusOfNewYork'' tells the story of a brain surgeon whose humanitarian son gets into a fatal accident, so he transfers his son's brain [[EmergencyTransformation into a robot body]]. The robot looks like [[https://horrorpediadotcom.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/c7.jpg this]]. Unsurprisingly, he goes on a rampage.

* The classic ''{{Series/Doctor Who}}'' serial "Robot" introduced the K1, a robot designed to do dangerous work in place of humans, like mining and handling radioactive materials. Considering its purpose was for heavy labor, it being big and bulky is understandable, and even the pincer hands could be a practical choice. But why the [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/tardis/images/a/a5/Robot_big.jpg eyeless face that's always glaring]], and the voice that [[NoIndoorVoice can only speak in an aggressive bellow]]?

* ''VideoGame/Fallout76'' gives us [[https://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/MODUS MODUS]], the Enclave supercomputer, who, due to some damage to its systems has all the personality of a sociopath incapable of reading social cues. Even when trying to be helpful it comes across as FauxAffablyEvil at the best of times.

** See [[http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-7-creepiest-robots-to-see-in-action "The 7 Creepiest Robots to See in Action"]], and [[http://www.cracked.com/article_16462_the-7-creepiest-real-life-robots.html "The 7 Creepiest Real-Life Robots"]].
** There's also "[[http://www.cracked.com/blog/a-series-of-emails-from-cyberdynes-tech-guy/ A Series of Emails from Cyberdyne's New Tech Guy]]", about the FridgeLogic that should have averted [[Franchise/{{Terminator}} a certain]] RobotWar. "I'm not a design guy or anything, but I can't see any either performance or aesthetic benefits in designing the robots with [[SkeleBot9000 cold skeleton heads]], [[GlowingEyesOfDoom piercing red eyes]], or giant metal teeth." (However, the article seems to believe it was Cyberdyne that built the Terminators, which it did not.)

* ''Webcomic/QuestionableContent'' has [[http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2334 Gordon]], a friendly robot who helps with the questionnaires that pair humans with companion androids. He's also designed like a dog-sized purple spider who sits on people's heads to collect biometric readings, and doesn't have a clue why Marten's heart rate is so high in his presence.

** [[http://futurama.wikia.com/wiki/Santa_Claus_Robot Robot Santa Claus]]. Sure, he's evil '''now''', but as originally designed, he shouldn't be that scary. Granted, he didn't ''start'' that way exactly. He has a "nice" look (eyes curves side down, tilted outward, no teeth, no spikes on the hat, seen when he first appears and when he gives Zoidberg his pogo stick) and a "naughty" look (seen every ''other'' time he's on screen). The "naughty" look is ''very'' over-the-top however[[note]]having him look slightly annoyed by naughty children, sure, but downright evil?[[/note]], and the massive size seems rather unnecessary.

* Inverted in the case of the "Cloaca Machines", a series of works designed by Belgian industrial artist [[https://www.wimdelvoye.be/ Wim Delvoye]]. They aren't all that creepy to look at, actually. As to what they do, [[NauseaFuel however...]][[labelnote: What's a "cloaca"?]]A cavity similar to the anus for the release of excretion and genital products.[[/labelnote]]

** ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddysSecurityBreach'': One animatronic has a sun/moon theme, a creepy voice, and a SlasherSmile. Its role in the Pizzaplex, believe it or not, is to work in the daycare. One message on the Fazwatch reveals that at least one child refuses to sleep with the lights off after spending a day in there with it, and wets the bed even when the lights are on.

* ''Series/{{Loki}}'': The [[TimePolice TVA's]] "Nudifier" robot is designed to get prisoners changed out of the clothes they came in with and into their [[InstitutionalApparel jumpsuits]]. For god knows what reason, the machine built for this simple task is a hulking, four-armed monstrosity that protrudes from the wall and has a constantly twitching smiley icon [[TVHeadRobot on a TV monitor]] for a face. It is also totally unwilling to take "no" for an answer, has NoSenseOfPersonalSpace, and seems to [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything enjoy]] stripping prisoners ''way'' too much; poor Loki practically looks like he's been sexually assaulted after it burns off all his clothes with a DisintegratorRay.

** The Coalitions' armies of [[SkeleBot9000 skele-bots]] are built specifically to intimidate, as they remind one of dead people's skeletons rising up from the ground to attack you. The Coalition are willing to use this psychological weapon along with the robot's physical threat, even though they are dead against magic, and such a thing would not happen by their hand; however at least the 'bots look like human skeletons. ''Coalition War Machine'' introduces a whole bunch of new 'bots, with a similar issue, but it appears the Hellion and Centaur are a step to far for the Emperor and the Coaltion High Command; only ten of each have been manufactured. They resemble a four-armed, horned demon skeleton with a long tail, and a centaur skeleton, respectively. This is apparently too creepy as they don't look like human skeletons.

* ''TabletopGame:Rifts'':
** The Coalitions' armies of skele-bots are built specifically to intimidate, as they remind one of dead people's skeletons rising up from the ground to attack you. The Coalition are willing to use this psychological weapon along with the robot's physical threat, even though they are dead against magic, and such a thing would not happen by their hand; however at least the 'bots look like human skeletons. ''Coalition War Machine'' introduces a whole bunch of new 'bots, with a similar issue, but it appears the Hellion and Centaur are a step to far for the Emperor and the Coaltion High Command; only ten of each have been manufactured. They resemble a four-armed, horned demon skeleton with a long tail, and a centaur skeleton, respectively. This is apparently too creepy as they don't look like human skeletons.

* ''VideoGame/Fallout76'' gives us [[https://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/MODUS MODUS]], the Enclave supercomputer, who, due to some damage to its systems has all the personality of a sociopath incapable of reading social cues. even when trying to be helpful it comes across as FauxAffablyEvil at the best of times.

* Ultron on ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes'' looks pretty creepy, even before his inevitable FaceHeelTurn. His designer Hank Pym (Ant-Man) even gets called on it, but he doesn't see it.

** The current page image is that of a robot nanny who not only ''looks'' frightening, but speaks in a loud, angry voice and claims to have replaced the baby's mother before feeding it with a bottle from its toothy maw. Leela thought it was cute. Notably, [[ChildrenAreInnocent the baby doesn't seem to mind either]].
* In the ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'' episode "Soos and the Real Girl", Stan shows off Goldie, a nickel-operated animatronic gold prospector that's supposed to give a "gold nugget" to customers. It already suffered from UncannyValley, but its age and poor maintenance causes it to leak oil (especially from its mouth and eyes), fall apart, and shriek when used.

* ''VideoGame/MetroidDread'': Despite being explicitly designed as research and surveillance drones, the E.M.M.I. have a rather intimidating appearance with their human-like build that can shift to an animalistic stance, clawed hands and feet, and their giant glowing eye. Which makes it all the more inconvenient when they go rogue.

* ''VideoGame/MetroidDread'': Despite being explicitly designed as research and surveillance drones, the E.M.M.I.s have a rather intimidating appearance with their human-like build that can shift to an animalistic stance, clawed hands and feet, and their giant glowing eye. Which makes it all the more inconvenient when they go rogue.