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Robot, droids and other AI like creatures in BT
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Karagin
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PostPosted: 26-Dec-2006 17:05    Post subject: Robot, droids and other AI like creatures in BT Reply to topic Reply with quote

Okay we hear mention of robotic facotries and such, but what about other robots and droids in the BT universe? Did nothing leading up to Battletechs take the path of home servent or mining helper?

What about "trash compactor" style robots that were the rage back in the mid 70s that would be found, if you believed the hype then, in offices as mail delievers and inter office gophers.

What thoughts do you folks have on the use of robots or droids in BT? Both in the tactical setting and the RPG.

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Kraken
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PostPosted: 26-Dec-2006 20:37    Post subject: RE: Robot, droids and other AI like creatures in BT Reply to topic Reply with quote

The earlier Mechwarrior manuals (both editions, I think) actually did include entries for utility robots, and Crescent Hawk's Inception has a training mission where you're battling mining robots that have been re-fitted with infantry weapons.

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Stinger
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PostPosted: 20-Feb-2007 11:52    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

I have long thought that the tech level for the universe is just a little to low. Now should there be C3-P0 type droids wandering around, no, ...... ....... Hmm though I think they would fit in just fine in the universe so maybe there should be.

But there is a lot of tech missing, lots of stuff that is comming out now that will be incredibly old tech by 2100, hell just watch discovery to see some of the things that are being tested now. Clothing that monitors your heartrate, flying cars (some guys has spent 75 million developing one), many other things that should be old hat.

Now before you all say, yeah but the universe has been at war so long they have lost X amount of technology. To this I say Bull, if they lost so much they would have collapsed, worlds would have died out because they couldnt support themselves anymore.
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Sleeping Dragon
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PostPosted: 20-Feb-2007 13:32    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

It's possible, but clans probably would prefer to do everything themselves (they need to keep working classes occupied and they would also consider it against honour and ... (I think that you get my point Wink )) and the Inner Sphere is just approaching the phase of developement (or redevelopement) where they may start to field such high thech toys (most funds probably still go to military research). ComStar used advanced automation on their Dante frigate (TRO 3067) to minimalize crew requirements, because they wanted to keep their navy in secret. Human life is cheap...
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Storm
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PostPosted: 24-Feb-2007 00:48    Post subject: My personal favorite Robot Reply to topic Reply with quote

Many moons ago, I posted some alternate rules for the use of "Terminator Drones." I had them come from a Capellan R&D facility. Basically, they were almost as tough as battlearmor. (Yeah, and they looked suspiciously like the governator, too. Very Happy)

If anyone's interested, I could dig them up, along with the fiction that goes with them. But I agree, I think they would be a little more advanced than the roombot.

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mud
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PostPosted: 24-Feb-2007 11:21    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

I don't think there's anything in the canon literature which supports the level of AI you would need to develop an autonomous robot or android. While anyone who can produce battlemechs or battlearmor could certainly make a serviceable robot chassis, they don't have the software. That's why you need a mechwarrior with a neurohelmet in the first place...if you could build a human-size android, why not a 'mech sized one?
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Storm
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PostPosted: 24-Feb-2007 17:43    Post subject: AI software Reply to topic Reply with quote

I think the software would naturally have developed to that pint by the 31st century. As to the "Why no robot troops?" I have to respond with the "judgement call" answer.

Intuition and instinct are not something that I think can be programmed. And there's the fact that no matter how extensively you program an AI, something will come up that's out of it's range of experience and programming, and it will have to extrapolate it's thought process to come up with an answer.

The terminators in the movies had a simple answer: bash on through. However, this only works if no one gives a rat poop about collateral damage. That'd be rather difficult for a defending garrison to pull off.

At least, that's my uninformed opinion.

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Karagin
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PostPosted: 24-Feb-2007 18:53    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

mud wrote:
I don't think there's anything in the canon literature which supports the level of AI you would need to develop an autonomous robot or android. While anyone who can produce battlemechs or battlearmor could certainly make a serviceable robot chassis, they don't have the software. That's why you need a mechwarrior with a neurohelmet in the first place...if you could build a human-size android, why not a 'mech sized one?


Check out the MW RPG 1st Edition, as mentioned it has robots in it. And if they have the basics to make automated factories then they have the basics to make automated robots walking around or rolling.
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PostPosted: 25-Feb-2007 07:58    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

The old planetary defense system used AI heavily in the automated Caspar drone ships.
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Rudel Gurken
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PostPosted: 25-Feb-2007 14:50    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Karagin wrote:

Check out the MW RPG 1st Edition, as mentioned it has robots in it. And if they have the basics to make automated factories then they have the basics to make automated robots walking around or rolling.


I've searched in my old notes and even if I don't have the stats I can deliver Type and tonnage:

Security robot: 6tons,hover,2small lasers(turret)
MiningRob: 25tons,tracked,6small lasers(front)
Medium AgroBot: 40tons,tracked,combine
Heavy AgroBot: 160tons(!),tracked,combine
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Stinger
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PostPosted: 02-Mar-2007 13:13    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

For a good idea where we are headed technology wise and what should be common place by 2100. Watch 2057 on discovery channel. And before you say "Wont happen, people wont allow that to happen", understand that the generation that is using this if going to be Gen X and the newer Generation I (first I heard of it as well, it is the generation that is born after the Internet). If you look at this generation now you may notice that they EMBRACE technology and will not give this a second though, why? because its a step forward, and in 30ish years they will be in power, you wont have any choice but to accept the changes.

So watch 2057, and see what is going to come and realize that at this point comparing the tech levels of what is expected to be around in 2057 and what they have in 3060 is pretty different. Much of the tech thought of was originally conceived in 1984ish when B-tech came out and was cutting edge at the time. Now its obviously outdated. Hell watch future car to see what they are doing with cars, right now they are working on cars that don't use gasoline, but use alternatives, there will be a huge gas war between Ethanol, Bio-diesel, hydrogen, solar, electric, and even air as fuels. All of them offer lower emissions and the air car has the potential to be a self sustaining car that never needs to be refueled, it also has no moving parts for the motor. Which means by 2057 there is a very good chance that the I.C.E will be a thing of the past only regulated to private collections and museums. The air powered cars emissions actually cleans the environments air, the hydrogen powered car's emissions are pure drinking water.

Keep this in mind when you look at the battletech tech level and realize that it is so far behind of what will be commonplace in just a few short years that it really should be updated.
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If it's "creepy" to use the Internet, military satellites, and robot aircraft to find a house full of gorgeous young models so I can drop in on them unexpected, then FINE, I'm "creepy". Howard Wolowitz. BBT.
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Sleeping Dragon
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PostPosted: 02-Mar-2007 13:42    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Yes the technology development is... fast. Just remember that BattleTech setting had different development and differs from reality in many areas. Technology is not the only thing here. Many planets are habitable and have deposits of oil and coal. Fossil fuels are still viable and probably cheap energy sources, that's why I.C.E engines are still widespread. Robots are probably still unneeded luxury, because humans can do the same things and the states do not put that much emphasis on human life and rights. Neo-feudalism doesn't feel the need to invest money to this area since the fall of Star League IMO...
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