| Knight Rider Character | |
| K.A.R.R. (2000) | |
| Actor | Peter Cullen Paul Frees |
| Character | |
| Related Characters | |
| Partners | John Stanton |
K.A.R.R. (acronym for Knight Automated Roving Robot) was the Prototype of the car of the future. He was featured in two episodes of the Original Knight Rider Series. In the season 1 episode Trust Doesn't Rust, he was voiced by Peter Cullen. When he returned in the season 3 episode K.I.T.T. vs K.A.R.R., he was voiced by Paul Frees.
Origin and background
K.A.R.R. was the prototype of the car of the future originally designed by Wilton Knight and built by his company Knight Industries. Upon completion of the vehicle, KARR's CPU was installed and activated. However, the proging made the computer potentially dangerous. The project was put on hold and the car was placed in storage until a solution could be found.
Unlike KITT, whose primary directive is to protect human life, KARR was programmed for self-preservation, making him a ruthless and unpredictable threat. He does not appear as streetwise as KITT. He is very naïve and inexperienced, with a child-like perception of the world. This occasionally allows people to take advantage of his remarkable capabilities for their own gain. Despite this, he does ultimately consider himself superior and unstoppable and due to his programming, the villains don't usually get very far. KARR demonstrates a complete lack of respect or loyalty, going so far on one occasion as to eject its driver to save weight and increase its odds of escape.
KARR first appeared in the season one episode "Trust Doesn't Rust", and was so popular with viewers that he was brought back again in the season three episode "K.I.T.T. vs. K.A.R.R.". KARR also appears as the enemy of KITT and his driver Michael Knight in the Knight Rider video game produced by Davilex International under license.
History
"Trust Doesn't Rust"
Once KITT was constructed, it was presumed that his prototype KARR had been deactivated and dismantled. However, the latter did not occur and KARR was placed in storage and forgotten following the death of Wilton Knight. When two thieves break into the warehouse where KARR is "sleeping", they unwittingly reactivate him, and he escapes.
When the two thieves realize how useful the vehicle could be, they use KARR to go on a crime spree. Michael and KITT are sent to recover KARR before anyone becomes hurt. Fearful of being taken back to storage and certain deactivation, KARR was unwilling to go back to the Foundation, and he flees when Michael and KITT come looking for him.
KARR's only weakness was his primary directive of self-preservation, and Michael uses this to his advantage. When KARR threatens to destroy KITT in a head-on collision, Michael plays chicken with him, knowing KARR will veer out of KITT's path in order to protect himself. Unable to stop in time, KARR drives off a cliff and seemingly explodes in the ocean.
"K.I.T.T. vs. K.A.R.R."
KARR was only believed to have been destroyed. he was damaged and ended up buried in the sand on the beach below the cliffs. When the tide goes out, a young couple stumbles upon the
partially buried car, digs it out, and reactivates it. This time, KARR is furious and had only one clear motive: revenge against Michael and KITT.
KARR forces the young couple to disguise him and then drive him around to carry out his plans. In a ravine, KARR challenges Michael and KITT to a final showdown. After releasing the young couple, KARR fires a stolen laser and damages KITT. However, Michael and KITT destroy KARR's laser by reflecting the beam back to the emitter. Damaged, KARR prepares for another attack. KITT and KARR both turbo boost and collide in mid-air. KARR is blown to pieces. Michael and KITT survive the impact; however at the end of the episode, amongst the wreckage, KARR's CPU module is lying undamaged on the ground, with its LED still flickering.