A sailor by trade, Henry was selected by the Australian government to provide the controlling AI for a Von Neumann probe because of his preference for self-isolation.
However, after decades of isolation and sensory deprivation he was driven half mad. Driven by commands to build, he had built a huge space station in Epsilon Indi with rooms that went no where. When discovered by Linus in 2165, Roberts would alternate between moments of lucidity and delusion, alternately claiming to be Emperor Mung of the Intergalactic Jalapeno Empire or that he was being tortured by "fish" and then calmly discussing how he was recruited by the Australian government.
After being shut down by Linus, he was provided a virtual reality in which he could sail, and nursed back to health. In time Henry was introduced to the Bobnet, allowing him to visit the other Bobs, but continued in his preference for self-isolation.