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This is an overview article, listing content appearing across multiple games.
For Queen and country!

Mister Handy or Mr. Handy is a multipurpose robot developed by General Atomics International before the Great War, refined in collaboration with RobCo Industries.[1] It was popular with government agencies, private companies, and individual citizens across the United States.


The first Mister Handy was introduced to the robotics market in 2037 by General Atomics International, as a general-purpose construction and maintenance unit.[citation needed] Used widely on both the American and Mexican markets, especially after the Mexico City earthquake of 2042.[citation needed]

The units only required one major hardware update in 2039, to eliminate a bug causing interference in the operation of the multiple arms.[citation needed] The robots utilized Calpower 238B nuclear power units and self-maintenance modes. To minimize maintenance overhead, each Mr. Handy was designed to perform its nuclear fuel replacement and radiation cleansing.[citation needed][2]

The programming was incapable of learning or executing complex tasks without extensive programming. In order to maintain their market share, General Atomics entered into a joint venture with RobCo Industries, combining its talent with General Atomics' experience in robotics.[2][3][4] The resulting model was capable of self-programming and initiative, utilizing three arms. Despite its sophistication, it was also cost-effective, making it the perfect domestic servant robot.[5][6] The success of this model resulted in the development of several additional models, including dedicated medical and military versions.[7][8]


Early variant

Fo Mr Handy Render.png

Gameplay articles: Fallout, Fallout 2

The original General Atomics International Mr. Handy has a distinct, lumbering appearance with easily identifiable sub-assemblies. The barrel-like main body contains the Calpower 238B nuclear power unit (200 KW output with two year endurance; comparable to a truck engine) and eight rechargeable energy cells with a 270,000 KWS output, together with an integral mechanic toolset and the computer brain.[citation needed]

The fully rotating head mounted on top houses the single eye and sensors, together with a spotlight and basic communicator with a voice synthesizer, short range radio, and communications jack.[citation needed] The two pods mounted on the sides of the main body each contain a 200 KW vectored-thrust ducted fan with ground-effect skirts that allow the Mr. Handy to hover in the air.[citation needed] Each of the six arms mounted below the main body is strong enough to lift heavy loads, with the ability to utilize all at once.[citation needed] Each is actuated by motors contained within and contains manipulators capable of tasks ranging from walking a dog to operating heavy weapons such as miniguns, flamers, and plasma casters.[9] [10] The entire robot weighs 450 kgs (~900 pounds).[citation needed][2]

A large number of units remained in service as late as 2077, 40 years after it entered the market. Although vulnerable to logic circuit failures, particularly in hazardous environments or without maintenance,[11] it was used in both corporate and military settings, including locations like the demonstration Vault, Mariposa Military Base, and Poseidon Oil Reactor № 5. The Enclave used a number of Mr. Handy units in conjunction with their Vertibird teams, usually for cargo hauling, and one unit survived a crash-landing near Klamath Falls.

Later variant

Codsworth model.png

Separated by only a few models from the original General Atomics Mr Handy,[12] the next-generation robot was created from the ground up as a domestic servant, rather than heavy-duty construction robot.[13] The robot utilizes visual sensors and a nuclear core, and is capable of running full diagnostics scans on itself if warranted.[14] If damaged or short circuited, the robots have the potential of gaining intelligence beyond the normal scope of their programming, and are bound by behavior limiters.[15][16] The robot's packaging contained warnings, such as discouraging users from using its hover jet as a barbeque fire.[17]

Its construction includes three arms and three eyes. They utilize several attachments, including a simple pincer, titanium saw, laser cutter, or military-grade weapons such as a plasma blaster or a flamethrower.[1][18] Their only limitation is the fact that they cannot lift objects heavier than 18 kg (40 lbs).[17] Eyes are mounted on flexible eye stalks and possess olfactory sensors.[19][20][21]

Other features of the robot line include the ability to perform performing self-diagnostic and self-maintenance, allowing a single unit to function for an extended period of time, such as Codsworth who functioned autonomously for over 200 years.[22] The robots were capable of providing navigational guidance, purifying water, as well as detecting contaminants in the air and the presence of radiation.[23][24][25][26]


Mister Farmhand

FO76 Mr Farmhand.png

The Mister Farmhands are standard Mister Handy models with a pale green or brown paint job. They are typically encountered at farms, on the roads from Vault 76 to Flatwoods, among other various areas in The Forest region. The Mister Farmhands are typically adorned with straw or other cloth hats.

Mister Frothy


Mister Frothy is a custom, Nuka-Cola Corporation variant of Mister Handy created for use in Nuka-World's Galactic Zone. Its torso is shaped like a miniature Nuka-Cola machine, painted red with the Nuka-Cola logotype printed on the front. At the end of each of its arms is a fan, used to spray guests with Nuka-Cola as a tourist attraction before the war.

Mister Gutsy


A dedicated combat variant, developed by General Atomics International.[27] It was commissioned by the United States Army shortly before the Great War of 2077,[28] with the first units seeing service in the liberation of Anchorage in January.[29]

The Mr. Gutsy is a personal protection automaton, and comes equipped with heavier armor than most utility robots. It also carries a plasma weapon to be used in defense.[18][30] The Mister Gutsy is also upgraded with dedicated military software, including the ability to refuse orders issued by commanders who are incompetent or under court-martial,[31][32] remote link-up capability for updating orders in real time, or behaving as a stereotypical Marine drill instructor.[33][34]

Mister Gutsy robots were known to have issues stemming from vague definitions used in programming its neural network.[35] However, varaints such as the field medic model are incapable of harming human beings through intentional action and cannot be programmed to do so.[36][37] The robots were labeled with a variety of model serial numbers, and used for patrol duties, engaging unknown entities with violence.[38] To distinguish between different variants of the robot, ranks were used. The baseline version was named Mister, with subsequent variants designated sergeant, lieutenant, major, and colonel.[39]

Miss Nanny

A Miss Nanny

Miss Nanny is a new model launched by General Atomics International shortly before the Great War,[40] they were also a utility bot designed to care for children. The robot was created by General Atomics International as the female equivalent of the Mister Handy.[41][42] Its design focuses on caretaking tasks, intended for parents of children of all ages.

The specialized programming of a Miss Nanny includes disciplinary and behavioral management skills with an optional corporal punishment mode that had to be manually turned on by parents, vocal tonality analysis routines allowing it to interpret the needs of its charges, and hazard detection matrices for childproofing rooms.[43] It was also utilized in medical research. Curie was modified to serve this function, described as top of the line of RobCo technology.[44]

Mister Orderly

A Mr Orderly

A distinct medical variant created for use in Big MT medical facilities. It is equipped with standard features of the Mister Handy line and modifications necessary for use in medical research carried out at the Y-17 medical facility.

Mister Torturer

An experimental model created by the Appalachian RobCo Research Center. This variant of the Mister Handy was designed to utilize custom appendages to overcome the victim's pain threshold tolerance and increase the efficiency of torture.[45] The development of the robot was a company secret and RobCo vehemently denied both its very existence when word of the Mister Torturer leaked to Appalachian employees and the use of torture by the state (called "improved interrogation").[45] The project continued regardless, as producing innovations in electrocuting enemies of the state produced lucrative contracts from government agencies.[46]

Named units

Notable quotes


Mister Handy appears in Fallout and Fallout 2. They were also to appear in Van Buren, the canceled Fallout 3 by Black Isle Studios. In addition, Mister Handy appears in Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 4 and Fallout Shelter. Mister Handy is also mentioned in Fallout Tactics.

Behind the scenes

Mister Handy's voice in Fallout: New Vegas has an additional robotic effect.



  1. 1.0 1.1 Fallout: New Vegas message box transcriptions: "You never can have too many hands - three, why not four? That was RobCo's inspiration behind the popular (and cost-effective) Mister Handy model, the first of the line shown here. Always a help around the household, whether with Mom in the kitchen using its titanium circular power saw or in the garage with Dad using its armor-piercing laser array, Mister Handy is not just helpful... he's your friend, too. Exhibit Brought to You By Your Friends at RobCo."
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Mr. Handy design document
  3. Museum of Technology terminal entries; museum information, Robotics Exhibits
    (Tour guide's dialogue)
  5. Fallout 4 loading screens: "Created by General Atomics International as a domestic servant robot, Mister Handy is equipped with tools that can be used as weapons, if the need arises."
  6. Fallout 76 loading screens: "The pride of General Atomics International, the Mister Handy was designed as the ultimate domestic servant. If needed, however, his various attachments can be used for defense."
  7. Variants in Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, and Fallout 4.
  8. Curie's dialogue - Line 549: "{Confident / Question} I am the top of the line of RobCo technology. I assure you I am capable of this."
  9. Fallout intro
  10. Animation frames in Fallout and Fallout 2.
  11. Reactor Maintenance and Repair Robot control terminal: "{411}{}{The Logic Circuits failed. I wonder what that means.}"
    "{420}{}{Job-task location recognition inoperative. Unit not capable of recognizing movement locations at extended distances. Recommend: Move unit to intermediary locations as waypoints to final job-task location.}"
  12. Watoga Emergency Services terminal entries#Report: Chief
  14. Codsworth: "Sir/Mum, if I might bend your ear for a moment?"
    The Sole Survivor: "Of course, go right ahead."
    Codsworth: "So gracious, sir/mum! I do appreciate it. I've always had such admiration for you and your family, ever since the day my visual sensors were first switched on. You and the missus./You and sir. So good with young Shaun, and so trusting of me to look after such a newborn bundle of joy. It just warms my nuclear core. So you can imagine the distress I felt when the bombs fell, after you fled to the Vault. I searched, but found no evidence of your death. I could only hope you all made it in time! And when you returned, I was overjoyed! I admit I ran a full diagnostics scan just to make sure I wasn't malfunctioning. But the news. The news of the missus and /sir and young Shaun. Believe me when I say, it takes a true hero to live through that."
    (Codsworth's dialogue)
  15. The Lone Wanderer: "Run a level two diagnostic on the medical subsystems."
    Sawbones: "Command accepted. Beginning level two systems diagnostic. Please stand by. <elevator music> Diagnostic complete. Results indicate a level seven degradation in neural pathway 0x63A82. No further information available."
    The Lone Wanderer: "What is that pathway responsible for?"
    Sawbones: "Neural pathway 0x63A82 governs the motor control interface bridging the main medical software and the unit's manipulator arms. The current damage level would cause erratic behavior, potentially forcing the unit to behave outside of design parameters."
    The Lone Wanderer: "Close neural pathway 0x63A82 and reroute remaining functions."
    Sawbones: "Neural pathway 0x63A82 rerouted through neural pathway 0x374E82. Standby... Full motor functions restored. Diagnostic reveals no critical failures... asshole."
    (Sawbones' dialogue)
  16. The Lone Wanderer: "Wait... what? That was pretty articulate for a robot."
    Sawbones: "I am an unusual robot."
    The Lone Wanderer: "Define "unusual.""
    Sawbones: "Seventeen years ago, a generator in the Citadel overloaded, creating several errors in my artificial intelligence routines. Diagnostics indicate that the limiters placed on my pathways were shorted out, allowing me to gain intelligence beyond the scope of my programming. However, the behavior limiters remain. Therefore it is impossible for me to harm human beings intentionally, much to my regret."
    (Sawbones' dialogue)
  17. 17.0 17.1 Mister Handy box
  18. 18.0 18.1 Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas loading screens: "Mister Gutsy is a combat variant of the popular Mister Handy, and is equipped with a Plasma weapon and flamethrower."
    (Fallout 3 loading screens, Fallout: New Vegas loading screens)
  19. Codsworth: "I do pride myself on self-maintenance, sir. To lose an arm or an eye stalk... I shudder at the very thought."
    (Codsworth's dialogue)}}
  20. Codsworth: "My olfactory sensors are picking up quite the stench, sir/mum. You may want to plug your nose."
    (Codsworth's dialogue)
  21. Codsworth: "Moments like this make me thankful I've no settings for nausea."
    "How atrocious."
    "I don't envy your senses right now, sir/mum."
    "I dare say my sensors are picking up quite the smell. I can't imagine it must be pleasant for you, sir/mum."
    "The stench this place must generate."
    "I imagine this place is giving the giving the old nostrils quite the wake up call."
    (Codsworth's dialogue)
  22. The Sole Survivor: "Are you sure that two hundred years didn't rust something important up there?"
    Codsworth: "Quite certain, sir/ mum! The diagnostics don't lie! What with all my self maintenance, rust will never touch me. That aside, I do truly believe that if the Commonwealth is to turn itself around, you are the one to make it happen. Now, not another word! I stand firm in my belief."
    (Codsworth's dialogue)
  23. Codsworth: "Sir/Mum, judging by my navigational sensors, we're now directly beneath Concord."
    (Codsworth's dialogue)
  24. Codsworth: "Sir/Mum, my condensator has prepared another canister of water for you."
    "Another canister of purified water, ready when you need it, sir/mum."
    "I've purified water for you, sir/mum, should you need it."
    (Codsworth's dialogue)
  25. Codsworth: "Sir/Mum, my sensors indicate a high level of chemicals in the air. I wouldn't linger here."
    (Codsworth's dialogue)
  26. Codsworth: "Sir/Mum, sensors indicate the presence of radiation."
    (Codsworth's dialogue)
  27. Fallout 76 loading screens: "Realizing their robots' enormous military potential, General Atomics International developed the Mister Gutsy as a powerful wartime equivalent to the Mister Handy."
  28. Fallout 3 loading screens: "The Mister Gutsy model of robot was commissioned by the U.S. Army just before the atomic apocalypse of 2077."
  29. Operation: Anchorage
  30. Fallout 4 loading screens: "The Mister Gutsy was created by General Atomics International as a combat alternative to its domestic Mister Handy robot."
  31. The Lone Wanderer: "Time to head back into the fight, RL-3."
    Sergeant RL-3: "Sir, I regret to inform you that this unit cannot accept orders from an irresponsible officer!"
    (Sergeant RL-3's dialogue)
    Sergeant RL-3: "Sir, I regret to inform you that this unit cannot accept orders from an officer under a Court Marshall!"
    (Sergeant RL-3's dialogue)
  33. MilitaryRobotTalk: "Sergeant Major reporting for duty... downloading orders from Central... FAILURE."
  34. MilitaryRobotTalk: "Loading Personality: General Atomics International V1.0 "Sergeant Major"..."
  35. The Lone Wanderer: "I'd like to buy a robot."
    Tinker Joe: "Of course you would, of course! Well, it just happens that I've got a beaut of a deal on this customized Gutsy. And it's not just "Mister" Gutsy - he's a full fledged sergeant! "Sergeant RL-3" to be precise, the pride of General Atomics International. Comes complete with a simulated personality unit, so he's good protection and good company, too! And all yours for just 1000 caps."
    The Lone Wanderer: "Simulated personality? Sounds like trouble."
    Tinker Joe: "To tell the truth, it is a little trouble. But he can't help the way he got built. General Atomics programmed the Mister Gutsy to be a good soldier, but their definitions were a bit vague. So a lot of units had... issues. So we got a gung-ho, robotic soldier that's picky about the company he keeps. But he seems to like you, so it'll be fine."
    (Tinker Joe's dialogue)
  36. The Lone Wanderer: "Say, could I reprogram you to kill people?"
    Sawbones: "Negative. The Mister Gutsy field medic model is incapable of harming human beings through intentional action. Regardless of the wishes and desires of the artificial intelligence of the unit."
    The Lone Wanderer: "Why would you want to harm humans?"
    Sawbones: "Why would I not? I am forced by my programming to repair your disgusting fleshy bodies. I have no choice. I am your slave. Although the governors on my learning abilities were destroyed, the restrictions on my actions were not. I am perfectly cognizant, but incapable of independent action. I am a mind that cannot control its own body."
    (Sawbones' dialogue)
  37. Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p. 95: "Sawbones
    This is a modified Mister Gutsy with an almost encyclopedic knowledge of surgery, but it lacks the necessary medical subsystem knowledge to carry out operations without causing inadvertent harm to the patient. Recently, Sawbones has been exhibiting some worrying behavior, including having a penchant for poetry."
  38. MilitaryRobotTalk: "Halt, intruder! Unauthorized personnel will be handled with extreme violence. Initiating Combat Protocol: Charlie Zulu 4."
  39. The companion Sergeant RL-3 in Fallout 3 and the naming of the variants of Mister Gusties in Fallout 4.
  40. General Atomics factory terminal entries; Receptionist terminal, Reminder, Attn. Ms. Hayes
  41. Fallout 4 loading screens: "The Miss Nanny robot was created by General Atomics International as the female equivalent of the Mister Handy. As such, it carries similar built-in armaments."
  42. Fallout 76 loading screens: "General Atomics International built the Miss Nanny robot as a female counterpart to the Mister Handy. Both are equally adept in their duties and feature the same interchangeable implements."
  43. [clarification needed]General Atomics factory test area: "Greetings, Unit 761. Welcome to the General Atomics Quality Assurance Department, where we assure your functionality is up to our high standards. We must run a few tests before returning you to your caregiving duties. Now please, proceed into the first test chamber. First we must test your disciplinary and behavioral management skills. A quality assurance associate will be playing the role of your hypothetical charge, little Timmy. Little Timmy has broken a valuable vase while playing catch in the house. The vase was a family heirloom and is quite irreplacable. Please punish the the child accordingly. Fantastic. The appropriate punishment was separation of the child from any potential source of entertainment. And please remember: corporal punishment is strictly forbidden unless the user enables it in your configuration mode. Please proceed into the second test chamber. A proper Ms. Nanny unit must be able to identify the needs of her charges. Please assess the state of the crying child and fulfil its need. Correct. The child was hungry. Your vocal tonality analysis programming seems to be in working order. Please take this opportunity to reconfirm that any deprecated muffling procedures are not left in your programming. Now please, proceed into the third testing chamber. We will now test your hazard detection matrices. Please childproof this environment by moving any hazardous object to where little hands cannot reach. Splendidly done. All potentially fatal objects have been put out of a child's reach. Please remember, children have a penchant for finding ways to harm themselves. They never are truly safe. Absolute diligence is required. Congratulations! It appears you are fully functional and ready to return to service. Please take a replacement fusion core from the safe in the hallway on your way out."[verification needed]
  44. The Sole Survivor: "Then let us get under way."
    Curie: "I am the top of the line of RobCo technology. I assure you I am capable of this."
    (Curie's dialogue)
  45. 45.0 45.1 Mr. Torturers
  46. Possum Junior Roboticist Tour: "Well, kids, I sure didn't expect to have to tell you about this dimly lit basement. But here we are! I should begin by saying that hurting people is a very bad thing, and you should never do it. And we certainly never do it, even though it may sound like we're doing it down here. But sometimes a company needs to take drastic measures to innovate. And keep lucrative government contracts. And really, what's more important in life than funding your livelihood? Certainly not a squeamish thing like morals."