robot: 1. A mechanical device that sometimes resembles a
human being and is capable of performing a variety of
often complex human tasks on command or by being programmed
in advance. 2. A machine or device that operates automatically
or by remote control.
So by the first definition, HAL was not a robot. A damnably clever computer, but not a robot. By the second definition, my beloved mecha aren't robots, either, as the ones that I generally think of (Robotech Valkyrie fighters, Gundams, 'mechs from Battletech) require a human pilot. So they're big, human-shaped vehicles.
Now, you could probably use the second definition to call HAL a robot ("a machine or device"), and use the first to call mecha robots ("performing a variety of often complex human tasks on command"). But I like strict, pipe-hitting definitions, so I won't do that. And for all you namby-pamby Linguistics majors who screech that language is fluid and decry the totalitarianism of strict definitions: up yours. I blame you wussies for every ill facing modern society, including cattle mutilations. Especially cattle mutilations.
["Cap'n, we've been blown off-topic!"
"Hard to port, Tochiro, it's around here somewhere."]
So things like Asimov's robot stories, Star Wars, and...erm...The Black Hole all fit my definition. Of course, Lucas called them "droids," which, being short for "android," doesn't actually work (android: An automaton that is created from biological materials and resembles a human being). But it sounds cooler than "robot" or "bot," so I can forgive him. Magnanimous of me, I know.
And wasn't The Black Hole cool? I mean, if you saw it at age six or seven, which I did? I don't think it made any sense whatsoever, but the robots were really nifty. Especially the major bad ass robot, Maximillian (yes, I had to look that up). He was big, he was an ominous shade of red, and he was threatening. Not terribly effective, unfortunately. I seem to remember that the little floating trashcan robots managed to destroy him. Still, Maximillian is just the kind of robot that I'd want as a henchman. Uh, henchbot. Now, I'm not saying that I want a giant spaceship crewed by zombies and robots...well, ok, but only if they aren't zombies of the brain-eating persuasion. I'm sorry, but there's pretty much no offer involving a giant spaceship that I would turn down.
Other than being stuck with the disad vulnerable to cute heroic robots, he was great. Like Darth Vader, but more stoic and without any pesky offspring that might return and destroy his master. Ooh...that, right there, is a really big advantage to robots. At least when they're your underlings. But if you are the annoying little rebel trying to overthrow the stable, keeps-the-space-trains-running-on-time empire, then you'd probably want that last-ditch chance at an emotional appeal.
Of course, the other problem with robots are dashing, devil may care captains of spaceships with names that tend to rhyme with "BenterThighs" (Jesus, I have no idea where that word came from). And we all know how those miscreants manage to confuse the poor, meglomaniacal robots. Personally, I like the approach taken by the haughty, insulting robot on Buck Rogers (the TV series). I'm talking about the tall robot that showed up when they all got on the ship to explore the galaxy, or something. Look, I don't know, and, like The Black Hole, it almost certainly made not one bit of sense. But he had an extending neck, if that helps. Anyway, this robot simply refused to believe that humans created it. Now, he wasn't a threatening, evil robot, just an annoying robot that helped around the ship, I think. I don't remember what he did, really. Damned if I know why Buck didn't toss him out an airlock. But again, this is a show that featured menacing space dwarves, so let's not look too closely for a rational explanation. Space dwarves who tried to telepathically disrobe Wilma Deering, even. A robot would never engage in such behavior. Which is a pretty big mark against robots, I'm afraid.
["Found that topic yet, Tochiro?"
"No, cap'n, still searching."]