Earth

The main setting of the novel is Earth because this is where US Robots is based and where many of the events in the novel take place. The novel covers many years, beginning in the nineties and ending in the mid 2050s. This time period includes many advances in robotics, including the development of the first humanoid robots and ending with the robots that are like supercomputers that help run whole governments. One of the most important elements of this setting is the fact that people on Earth are weary of the use of robots. Protest groups against robots continue to exist on Earth, even after a ban against robots is lifted, as robots begin to help aid governments.

Mercury

Powell and Donovan find themselves on Mercury where they are to prepare an abandoned mine for use. While there, they are forced to face the extreme heat of...