This article deals with the internationally famous play by the Czech writer Karel Čapek from 1920. The play introduced the word robot into the languages of individual nations. In particular, the article follows the emancipation of the term robot and the author’s original literary construct of the mass production of these machines. The production is based on the scientific biochemical discovery of the so-called protoplasm, which is their physical shell, including basic intelligence. By unexplained modification of production processes in order to increase their sensitivity, advanced versions of robots will acquire consciousness, a soul. And even though they are not of the same substance as humans, they resemble them. The study also draws attention to the playwright’s starting points, the theme and the meaning of the play.