Ministry of Technology representative Mr Fosdyke pays a visit to mild-mannered inventor Robert Somersby, to discuss his submission for an increase in his research grant. Robert explains that he needs more money to continue his pioneering work in robotics, and offers to show the government official his latest creation, an android named Eric. Meanwhile, foreign industrial spy Marken employs private investigator Gimble to uncover Robert’s electronic engineering secrets; Gimble sneaks into Robert’s lab, but is discovered by Fosdyke and mistaken for a robot. Amazed at how life-like ‘Eric’ is, Fosdyke asks Robert for a further test before he can approve the extra funding; Robert agrees, and the real Eric is sent to visit Doctor Randall in the nearby village for a medical. However, Eric is unaware that Gimble is following him – and the detective has no idea that Fosdyke is trailing him. Then Eric’s electronics start to malfunction...