Bizarre and unlikely though it may seem, my first thought before Jumanji was Lost in Space
The "robot" (which was manipulated by a person inside) appeared in several shows, including a Colombo episode.
I didn't think it'd win any awards for amazing acting or plot or anything like that, but it was otherwise a definite worthwhile watch for me, and I enjoyed it. I echo Milko's thought about Matthew McHhhhngnngey though.