A R.O.B. (Robotic Operating Buddy) is a peripheral for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo's first home console. R.O.B. has since featured in a number of Nintendo games as a character, including Mario Kart DS and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In Pikmin, there are a number of treasures related to the device - its "head" is Remembered Old Buddy; and the Gyro Blocks, all found in Hole of Heroes and all part of the Blast from the Past series, are blocks related to the peripheral.
Captain Olimar battles a giant R.O.B. with Captain Falcon in a cutscene of Super Smash Bros. Brawl's Subspace Emissary. Giant R.O.B.s also appear in both characters' games.