Updated: July 28, 2024

The only original, production-used Robot Model B9 stunt figure from the Irwin Allen science fiction television series Lost in Space ( 20th Century Fox Television, 1965-1968 ). More freqently referred to in the context of the series simply as "the Robot", this Model B9 figure is one of the most iconic in the history of sci-fi on the big or small screen.

The Robot is composed of three separate sections, including a plastic bubble sensor, a large trunk / torso section that includes sillicone arms, and a lower tread unit.

This fully restored B9 robot is one of only two production-made full-scale figures that were used during the show's three year run. This iconic piece would have been utilized in scenes where a human operator would not have been possible because it was either too dangerous or not necessary.

This version of the character, used mainly for stunts and static scenes, appeared at many points during the third season of the series between 1967 and 1968. This stunt robot can be seen "floating" in space in the episode, "The Condemned of Space"; when the character is attacked by a Cyborg in the episode, "Space Destructors," in the episode "The Anti-Matter Man," when the stunt robot plays an alternate version of the storyline character in the same scene, and when the character is hanging upside down in a junkyard in the episode "Junkyard in Space."

The Robot was designed by Robert Kinoshita, who was also known for having designed Robby the Robot, the beloved droid from the science fiction film Forbidden Planet ( Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1956 ). After the initial pilot episode was released for Lost in Space, CBS executives suggested the addition of the Robot B9 and Dr Zachary Smith ( Jonathan Harris ). After their inclusion, the series was immediately green-lit and would become an instant hit. Bob May provided the movement for the character in 82 episodes in the series, while Dick Tufeld voiced the character in 84 episodes.

After production had ended, the complete figure was saved from the backlot of Fox Studios and restored by special effects master Greg Jein, who painted B9 and replaced component parts such as lighting elements and custom-built claws. It was during Jein's ownership that B9 traveled around the world and was featured at various conventions and events.

The Robot had undergone a complete restoration nearly 20 years ago to bring the character back to its original condition during the time of production. Fred Barton, a B9 restoration expert, stripped this stunt figure to its bare bones and preformed a ground-up restoration that included component fabrication, electrical wiring, an audio speaker system, neon illumination, new silicone arms to replace the decomposing rubber ones, new treads on the lower body, and much more.

Original pieces of the B9 that were present during the production of Lost in Space include the collar, radar, Bubble lifter, fiberglass torso, fiberglass wrists, torso vents, bellows, connecting plate, knee sections, pedestals, and hinges. Upon powering on, The Robot comes to life with light bulbs present in the bubble section of his head, neon and light bulbs in the torso section, and an MP3 player with speakers that controls B9's voice. This stunt robot has over seventy lines taken from the television show that it shuffles through, lighting up the neon in unison with the dialogue. The motor that rotates the figure's antenna and bubble lifter are currently non operational.

The back side of the robot's body has been signed by multiple members of the cast and crew during its travels to conventions and promotional events, including inscriptions from Mark Goddard ( Major Don West ), June Lockhart ( Dr. Maureen Robinson ), Bill Mumy ( Will Robinson ), Dick Tufeld ( The Robot - Voice ), Jonathan Harris ( Dr. Zachary Smith ), Lenwood Ballard "Bill" Abbott ( Special Effects ), Bob May ( The Robot ), and two unidentified signatures.

Bob May, who played the Robot on the series inscribed, "Love "N" Luck / The Robot," and Dick Tufeld, who voiced the Robot with the famous line "Danger, Will Robinson!" wrote, " To Greg/ Who Always Computes! / Best Wishes!"

Fred Barton reevaluated the B9 again in preparation for this auction. Robot measures 79 x 28 x 35 inches overall.

Value: $400,000.