Thank you for the detail. Herding the NPCs might work. I noticed my control character had to get a little closer for it to work, but even then, it wasn't too helpful. All I could manage was to discharge it. Party and other modes don't do anything.
I don't really have enough skills to CC the robot regularly(what works on the thing besides freeze?). It would be helpful if the controller worked. Maybe I'm just using it wrong.
After 1.5 hours, I just let the dumb suckers die. It's not worth the frustration. I have no problem killing the mobs(ok, one person died, I didnt expect the robot to walk, ha. But resurrect and I was fine).
Maybe in the morning I'll try to herd the NPCs to keep them away from the thing.
Side note: charming the wizzies was useless, they still cast on the robot, ha.