15 Most Iconic Cartoon Robots (2024)

Many robots are featured in cartoons and animated series. These characters are often faster, stronger, and smarter than their human counterparts. They may stand against danger, or they might cause it. That being said, robots aren't always the smartest in the bunch. The fun about robots is the many different creative ways that they appear. Fans often flock to robot characters due to the way they perceive and interact with their worlds.

Some iconic robots have been around for decades. Their popularity allows them to return to the small screen due to constant remakes or reboots of their original series. This is a testament to how loved they are, whether they are the heroes of their narratives, the villains, or fall somewhere in the morally ambiguous middle. Robots are always a great concept, especially as the modern world progresses into more advanced technology.

Updated on June 14, 2024 by Robbie Robinson: Many robot characters are memorable. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Some are more dangerous than others, but it's not about competition (at least, not in this list). This list has been updated to include five more iconic robots from fan-loved series and it has also been updated to get this article up to current CBR standards.

15 Goddard Is a Good Boy

The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron

Jimmy Neutron is one the best shows to come out of Nickelodeon, but there can't be Jimmy Neutron without his loyal pet and best friend, Goddard. Many children grew up wishing they could have their very own robot dog. Goddard is more than just a cute pooch made out of scrap. Goddard is basically a walking toolkit tricked out with a bunch of cool tricks and abilities.

Goddard Trivia

• He's named after Robert Hutchings Goddard
• Goddard has a love interest named Roxy
• Goddard hates cats and squirrels

Goddard was created by Jimmy and stands as Jimmy's favorite invention. Goddard's design leaves much to mystery. He appears to be hollow on the inside, despite the fact that he has so many gadgets he can use whenever time calls for it. He's also equipped with a voice box feature that allows him to talk with recordings of Jimmy's voice.

The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius

TV-G

Adventure

Comedy

A young boy, who happens to be a genius, lives in a small town with his family and friends and often gets into crazy adventures with them involving the things he invents.

Cast

debi derryberry , Jeffrey Garcia , Rob Paulsen

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

3

Creator

John A. Davis, Steve Oedekerk

Production Company

DNA Productions, O Entertainment, Nickelodeon Animation Studios

Number of Episodes

59

14 Optimus Prime Is One Tricked Out Vehicle

Transformers: Animated

Optimus isn't the only robot in the cast of Transformers, but he's certainly the most iconic. He's the face of the series and rightly so, given that he's the leader of the Autobots. His team is made of Bumblebee, Ratchet, Prowl and Bulkhead. Together, the Autobots fight against the villainous Decepticons. Optimus' arch-nemesis and leader of that group is Megatron.

Optimus Prime Trivia

• He wears a retractable mouth plate
• Optimus is voiced by David Kaye
• He's at least 19 feet tall

Optimus isn't the average superhero. He might be able to take the unassuming form of a large semi, but Optimus is originally from space and crash-landed on Earth. Being a machine, Optimus has a ton of abilities at his disposal. He can really shift any robotic part of his body. He has a grappling hook, blasters and even an axe. Optimus is a real hero; he fights because he knows he has to or it will mean the destruction of all.

13 Rosey Is A Suped Up Maid

The Jetsons

The Jetsons is an old, but incredible cartoon from back in the 1960s. It's the polar opposite of The Flintstones, focusing on a family in a futuristic world. It's full of fun outfits, cool scenery and unique characters. One such character is Rosey, who is the robot maid to the Jetson family. Rosey might be an outdated model, but she's a dutiful hardworker for her family.

Rosey Trivia

• She's an XB-500 model
• Rosey's name is also spelled Rosie
• She's equipped with an odometer

Despite being a robot, Rosey is a rather typical housekeeper. She dusts with a duster and vacuums with a vacuums. She's doesn't have many gimmicks seen in other cartoon robots, but she's endearing. When the house is clean and the Jetsons are out, Rosey also acts as a home security system. She's useful, but more importantly, she's a memorable character from The Jetsons.

The Jetsons

TV-Y7

Sitcom

Science Fiction

The adventures of the futuristic Jetson family living in Orbit City

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Release Date

September 23, 1962

Cast

Mel Blanc , Janet Waldo , George O'Hanlon

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

3

12 One-One Is the Cutest Round Companion

Infinity Train

Infinity Train sweeped fans by storm with it's story-telling and animation. It follows Tulip, who's trying to find her back home, and her little companion, One. One-One is an adorable robot who can split into two halves: Sad-One and Glad-One. He's not just a sweet looking sphere, he's also the conductor of the Infinity Train.

One-One Trivia

• Glad-One is voiced by Jeremy Crutchley
• Sad-One is voiced by Owen Dennis
• One-One has always lived on the Infinity Train

One-One two halves are appropriately named. Sad-One is always down in the dumps and rarely finding a bright side to anything. Glad-One is the optimistic counter, finding the good in situations that seem bleak. That being said, the pure happiness that Glad-One carries also makes this half rather naive. When both sides combine, the personalities can war with one another, but talking at the same time.

11 Vision Is a Very Recognizable Character

Avengers Assemble

Vision is a prominent character throughout the Marvel universe. While he's not always in the animated world of Marvel, he still makes his appearances. He's such a well-known character that he deserves some more love. While he might not look like the average robot, he is, indeed, an android. Vision is a member of the Avengers who was initially made to house Ultron's mind.

Vision Trivia

• He's voiced by David Kaye
• Vision helped fight of the Frost Giant babies
• He's a synthezoid

Like any proper super powered character, Vision has some fancy skills. He can phase and project energy. He can also manipulate density, like making himself levitate or giving himself enhanced strength. Vision is not always a main member of the Avengers, but he gets a lot of time to shine like in the WandaVision series.

10 Bender Became the Face of Futurama

Futurama

One of the most well-known animated sitcoms is Futurama. Futurama follows similar beats to series like The Simpsons and Disenchantment, but it takes place a thousand years into the future. Among the main characters is Bender, a robot and member of the Planet Express crew. Bender isn't the average robot, either. So many robots are painted with intimidating designs and tools, but Bender doesn't fit in those boxes.

Bender Trivia

• Bender likes photography
• His hands are named Grabby and Squeezy
• Bender appears in every episode

Futurama ran for seven seasons, and it's well-known by many audiences due to its pop culture relevance. Although Bender starts as a minor character, he becomes one of the faces of the show as Futurama progresses. He is memorable for his design, comedy, and appearances in other popular series. Bender is a pivotal member of the cast for Futurama and a character many people know, even if they've never watched the series.

Futurama

TV-14

Animation

Comedy

Sci-Fi

Philip J. Fry, a pizza delivery boy, is accidentally frozen in 1999 and thawed out on New Year's Eve 2999.

Release Date

March 28, 1999

Cast

Billy West , John DiMaggio , Katey Sagal , Tress MacNeille , Phil LaMarr , Lauren Tom , Frank Welker , Kath Soucie

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

8

Creator

Matt Groening, David X. Cohen

Number of Episodes

150

Network

FOX

Streaming Service(s)

Hulu

9 Red Tornado Is a Trusted Hero

Young Justice & Justice League Unlimited

Being a superhero and a robot always makes for an awesome character. Red Torndao is just that. Red Tornado has appeared in several series. He's a recurring character in Justice League Unlimited, and one of the heroes entrusted to care for the team in Young Justice. In the latter series, he spends his time watching over the fledgling team while they reside in Mount Justice.

Red Tornado Trivia

• His power is aerokinesis
• His first animated appearance was in Justice League Unlimited
• Red Tornado is voiced by Jeff Bennett

Red Tornado is a beloved robot who just wants to become more human. Robots wishing for more humanity is a classic, yet sad trope. Not only does he oversee the team's training, but Red Tornado also refers to himself as the team's "Den Mother." He is one of the recurring Justice League members who interact with the team the most, and this makes him a trusted character in Young Justice.

Young Justice

TV-PG

Animation

Action

Adventure

Teenage superheroes strive to prove themselves as members of the Justice League.

Release Date

November 26, 2010

Cast

Nolan North , Danica McKellar , Jesse McCartney , Stephanie Lemelin , Lacey Chabert , Khary Payton , Denise Boutte

Seasons

4

Creator

Greg Weisman, Brandon Vietti, Geoff Johns

Production Company

DC Comics, Warner Bros. Animation

Number of Episodes

98

8 Inspector Gadget Is a '90s Favorite Cyborg Detective

Inspector Gadget

The Inspector Gadget series began in 1982 and ran for two seasons. This titular inspector was a police investigator with cyborg components who became a popular character in the '80s and '90s. Inspector Gadget spawned a franchise, which includes two live-action films and several shows. While these projects only added to the titular character's relevance, the original series made him beloved.

Inspector Gadget Trivia

• His full name is Augustin Tamare
• He's at least 50 years old
• Inspector Gadget has telescopic arms

Working under a secret police organization, Inspector Gadget does his best to stop international crime. His biggest adversary is the criminal organization known as M.A.D., which is run by Dr. Claw. Inspector Gadget is one of the most iconic detectives and robots of all time. He has everyone watching wishing that they could have gadgets just like his.

Inspector Gadget

TV-Y7

Action

Adventure

See Also

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A bumbling bionic police inspector stumbles about on his cases, while his niece and dog secretly do the real investigative work.

Release Date

September 12, 1983

Cast

Don Adams , Frank Welker

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

2 Seasons

Creator

Jean Chalopin, Andy Heyward, Bruno Bianchi

Producer

Jean Chalopin, Andy Heyward, Patrick Loubert

Production Company

DIC Entertainment, France Régions 3 (FR3), Nelvana, Field Communications, LBS Communications, TMS Entertainment, Cuckoo's Nest Studios, Lorimar Telepictures

Number of Episodes

86 Episodes

7 The Teen Titans Wouldn't Be the Same Without Cyborg

Teen Titans & Teen Titans Go

One of Cartoon Network's most well-received series is Teen Titans. The show is based on the DC Comics team of the same name, which meant the inclusion of Victor Stone. The Titans wouldn't be the same without their resident Cyborg, who founded the team. In the series, he's an excellent fighter and a close friend to his teammates. He also has a very iconic design.

Cyborg Trivia

• Cyborg's given name is Victor Stone
• He's 6'2
• His catchphrase is "Boo-yah!"

Cyborg is brought back in Teen Titans Go. While Teen Titans Go is targeted toward a younger audience, Cyborg retains many of the traits that made him popular to begin with. His strength, intelligence, and humor make him an integral part of every series he appears in. Cyborg also shines whenever he's with Beast Boy; the two of them make a mean duo of wit and comedy.

Teen Titans

Animation

superheroes

A team of five teenaged superheroes save the world from many villains around their city while experiencing things normal teens face today.

Release Date

July 19, 2003

Cast

Scott Menville , Hynden Walch , Khary Payton , Tara Strong , Greg Cipes

Seasons

5

Producer

Warner Bros. Animation

Number of Episodes

66

6 Baymax Is the Perfect Helping Hand

Baymax!

Baymax was introduced in Disney's superhero film Big Hero 6, which was enjoyed by kids and adults alike. Baymax is an inflatable healthcare robot developed by Tadashi Hamada. He takes his role as a healthcare companion to new heights in the animated series Baymax! In the series, he's free to roam the streets of San Fransokyo, so he aims to help anyone who is in need.

Baymax Trivia

• Baymax is inspired by Totoro from My Neighbor Totoro
• He loves flowers and cats
• He's also 6'2

Baymax is determined to help and eager to be of assistance. This includes offering romantic advice, taking care of injuries, and helping with illnesses. Baymax! is a wholesome look into his life as he pursues his purpose and becomes an everyday hero. Given Big Hero 6's popularity, he has become an iconic robot. To top it off, he might be one of the cutest robot designs around.

5 BMO Is a Sweet Addition

Adventure Time

Adventure Time is a hugely popular fantasy series. The show follows Finn and Jake as they travel through the Land of Ooo and battle evil. They make many interesting and eccentric friends along the way, including a small robot named BMO. BMO is at times rather strange, often saying things that don't immediately make sense, but they're one of the friendliest robots there is.

BMO Trivia

• They're voiced by Niki Yang
• BMO is over 1000 years old
• BMO is nonbinary

Known for being both loyal and sweet, BMO is a well-liked supporting character in Adventure Time. BMO is overprotective of Finn and Jake and joins them on many adventures. In addition to being a lifelong friend, BMO serves many purposes, from acting as a living video game console to being a computer. In the new spin-off series on MAX, Distant Lands, BMO actually gets their own episodes detailing their lore.

Adventure Time

TV-PG

Animation

Adventure

Comedy

A 12-year-old boy and his best friend, a wise 28-year-old dog with magical powers, go on a series of surreal adventures in a remote future.

Release Date

April 5, 2010

Cast

John DiMaggio , Jeremy Shada , Tom Kenny , Hynden Walch , Dee Bradley Baker , Pendleton Ward

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

10

4 Voltron Is The Ultimate Defender Of The Universe

Voltron: Legendary Defender

There are many series that feature large robots as the main characters of their narratives. One of the most successful franchises to do this is Voltron, which tells a story about a robot of the same name. The original series from the '80s, Lion Force Voltron, was rebooted by the Netflix series, Voltron: Legendary Defender.

Voltron Trivia

• Voltron doesn't speak
• It's over 300 feet tall
• It's at least 10,000 years old

In the majority of installments, Voltron is used to combat the tyrannical Galra Empire. It's considered one of the greatest defenders of the universe, as five individual ships come together to form Voltron. The ships are shaped like lions and are piloted by their Paladins, making all of Voltron's successes a team effort.

Voltron

TV-Y7

Action

Adventure

This series focuses on five lion robots and their pilots as they fight the evil forces of King Zarkon and Prince Lotor.

Release Date

September 10, 1985

Cast

Neil Ross , Billy West , B.J. Ward , Kevin Michael Richardson

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

2

Creator

World Events Productions

3 Karen Was Created By Plankton

SpongeBob SquarePants

SpongeBob SquarePants has been on the air since 1999 and is one of the best animated shows. One of its villains comes in the form of Plankton's computer wife, Karen. Plankton created Karen while he was young and before he turned into a villain. As co-owner of the Chum Bucket, she helps her husband run a business while competing with Mr. Krabs' restaurant, the Krusty Crab.

Karen Trivia

• She can change the color of her screen
• Karen has a "mother-in-law" program
• Her screen is actually her mouth

Additionally, Karen often contrives the evil schemes that Plankton carries out. As an overly intelligent partner who serves as the brains of their operations, she is one of the most important characters in SpongeBob SquarePants. Karen is not only the most iconic woman in Spongebob, but she's equipped with a barrage of snide remarks.

SpongeBob SquarePants

TV-Y7

Comedy

The misadventures of a talking sea sponge who works at a fast food restaurant, attends a boating school, and lives in an underwater pineapple.

Release Date

May 1, 1999

Cast

Tom Kenny , Rodger Bumpass , Clancy Brown , Jill Talley , Carolyn Lawrence , Lori Alan , Mary Jo Catlett

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

13

Creator

Stephen Hillenburg

Number of Episodes

292

2 XJ-9 Tries At A Normal Life

My Life As A Teenage Robot

Created by the scientist Nora Wakeman in My Life as a Teenage Robot, XJ-9 tries her best to have a normal life. In the series, XJ-9 takes on the name Jenny Wakeman when she lives among humans. She wants to live like a regular teenager but is often caught up in saving the world. Although she is blinded by her desires at times, her strong sense of justice always wins.

Jenny Trivia

• She's 600 lbs
• She's 6'2
• Jenny is voiced by Janice Kawaye

When Jenny isn't saving the world, she spends time with her friends. Her hopes for a relationship and to be popular have given her a sense of relatability. Like many robot characters, she proves to have more emotion than she lets on, as she tries her best to fit in. At the end of the day, fans can't help but be sympathetic when she struggles with her identity.

My Life as a Teenage Robot

TV-Y

Animation

Action

Adventure

In a dystopian future where technology allows humans to externalize their innermost traits into living companions, a young woman struggles with societal expectations when her companion, unlike others, manifests as something dark and uncontrollable. As she seeks to understand and control it, she discovers deep truths about herself and the society she lives in.

Release Date

August 1, 2003

Creator(s)

Rob Renzetti

Cast

Janice Kawaye , Chad Doreck , Candi Milo , Audrey Wasilewski , Quinton Flynn , Cree Summer , Moira Quirk , Billy West

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

4

1 GIR Is The Chaotically Cute Companion Everyone Needs

Invader Zim

When the villainous Invader Zim is sent to infiltrate Earth, he is given a companion robot known as GIR. GIR's title is different from the standard S.I.R. units that invaders are given, and this is likely because Zim's superiors expect him to fail. Although GIR isn't always the most reliant partner, he stays loyal to Zim as Zim attempts to take over the planet.

GIR Trivia

• He often wears a green dog costume
• He was made out of scrap
• GIR is voiced by Rosearik Rikki Simons

Known for being both chaotic and cute, GIR is one of the most popular Invader Zim characters. While he may not be a good schemer, he is always there to provide comedic relief when the series gets grim. GIR's style is memorable and recognizable, and his unique design makes him the perfect face for the series.

Invader Zim

TV-Y7

Animation

Action

Adventure

An alien named Zim from the planet Irk is sent on a secret mission to conquer Earth, not realising that his leaders were just trying to get rid of him and hoped that he would die. Once there, Zim manages to disguise himself as a human child, but one boy named Dib sees through his disguise.

Release Date

March 30, 2001

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

2

Creator

Jhonen Vasquez

Production Company

Nicktoons Productions

Number of Episodes

28

Main Cast

Andy Berman, Richard Steven Horvitz, Rikki Simons