A master roboticist on the Spacer planet Aurora, Fastolfe has succeeded in producing the theoretical calculations needed to assemble the Galaxy's first two—and only—humaniform robots, R. Daneel Olivaw and R. Jander Panell. Among his other creations is the "normal" robot, R. Giskard Reventlov, which his estranged daughter, Vasilia, has unknowingly modified to be able to read and influence human and robotic minds.