Mr. Smaulrobott (whose real name is Teddy) is a furry little robot from the year 2569. He knows everything about everything and is the personal body-guard of a little girl named Astra. He also smells reassuringly of lavender.
A badly defined wormhole whisks Teddy into the present day along with an 18th Century doctor, Dr. Tinkermann. The curious doctor is astounded by today's world, and Teddy is happy to explain to him how things work. Meanwhile Teddy is trying to work out how to get them both back home.
But time travel is illegal in 2569 and they find themselves pursued by the Pan-Galactic Order of the Wormhole. Or so they think!