A cargo ship sinks during a hurricane. Hundreds of crates containing new robots sink to the bottom of the ocean. Five crates stay afloat and make it to land, but four are smashed on the rocky shore. Only one crate survives.

A group of curious otters finds pieces of damaged robots. They play with robot body parts in the tidal pools. The otters come upon the surviving box and see the undamaged robot inside. As they play with the packing materials, one otter accidentally pushes a button on the robot’s head. The robot’s eyes open.

The robot’s computer brain boots up and she speaks. “Hello, I am ROZZUM unit 7134, but you may call me Roz” (7). Roz explains that she can complete tasks, communicate, and learn. She is fully activated.