Brian is a lovable outcast who lives alone in a Welsh valley and creates bizarre devices that rarely function. Brian has an idea after stumbling over a discarded mannequin head. After three days, a washing machine, and various spare components, he has created Charles, an artificially intelligent robot that can learn English by using a dictionary and makes a cute, sarcastic friend. Charles eventually gains independence nonetheless. Charles is curious about the world outside the cottage where Brian has taken him, or whatever may be found there.