Taren Capel

Taren Capel was a scientist who tried to instigate a rebellion of robots in the late 29th century.

Capel had spent almost his entire life around robots, being practically raised by them. He identified with them more than people and came to believe that robots should rule humans. He intended to lead a robot revolution, dressing himself and painting his face to resemble his robot "brothers".

He joined the crew of the sandminer Storm Mine 4, where he posed as chief engineer Dask (whom he probably had murdered) and reprogrammed the robot crew of the sandminer to kill the human crew, at first individually and secretly. Eventually, he ordered them to massacre the survivors, as well as the Fourth Doctor and Leela, who had recently come onboard the Storm Mine 4.

The Doctor had Leela release helium into the atmosphere, changing his voice so SV7 did not recognise Capel's commands. SV7 then throttled him to death. (TV: The Robots of Death)