Robots

[Zutroi]

That's easy. I'd take the 20 special purpose bots, or possibly a central computer controlling 20 special purpose remotes. The 20 special purpose bots, plus their control systems, are unlikely to be more expensive than the one generalist plus its control systems.

Building a generalist system is good for tasks that are done rarely. For tasks that are done frequently, a specialized tool usually does a better job, cheaper.

The folks at Honda might beg to differ...

The implication of the generalist bot isn't that the "only way to do dishes is in a sink", the implication is that when your bot is broken, something or someone has to do dishes. In all likelihood 'doing the dishes' is actually 'loading the dishwasher', which may contain any number of sensor and feedback systems to determine how clean the dishes are. IMHO the Jeeves-bot will probably be collecting dishes to load into a machine that could probably qualify as a bot in itself.

The generalist-bot doesn't actually need to be humaniform (vargriform? aslaniform?), but consider how many of the things in the world are already designed to be used by things of that shape?

IMTU it's pretty much moot anyway, there are plenty of people around who need jobs...

 

[Anthony]

Originally posted by Zutroi:

The implication of the generalist bot isn't that the "only way to do dishes is in a sink", the implication is that when your bot is broken, something or someone has to do dishes.

You mean, when your dishwasher is broken someone or something has to do dishes. The dishwasher with built-in loading systems is probably less breakdown-prone than the generalist bot; handling water well is a specialized capability.

The generalist-bot doesn't actually need to be humaniform (vargriform? aslaniform?), but consider how many of the things in the world are already designed to be used by things of that shape?

All sorts of devices. Many of which would work better if they did not have to be designed around the limitations of the human form.

 

[Zutroi]

quote:
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The generalist-bot doesn't actually need to be humaniform (vargriform? aslaniform?), but consider how many of the things in the world are already designed to be used by things of that shape?
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All sorts of devices. Many of which would work better if they did not have to be designed around the limitations of the human form.

But they're already designed... I still think you'll be better off with Jeeves than with:
Vacbot, Dustbot, blenderbot, dishwasherbot, laundrybot, stovebot, fridgebot, lawnmowerbot, microwaveovenbot,...

And I defy anyone to justify a purpose-built 'make-the beds-and-generally tidy-up-the-place-bot' that ISN'T a general purpose design...

Of course, I will now re-iterate that I prefer the creations of 'Killer', the Vargr petty officer who's hobby is gourmet cooking to the output of the Naasirka Pierre 7500 French Cuisinomat.

 

[Anthony]

Originally posted by Zutroi:
But they're already designed... I still think you'll be better off with Jeeves than with:
Vacbot, Dustbot, blenderbot, dishwasherbot, laundrybot, stovebot, fridgebot, lawnmowerbot, microwaveovenbot,...

Vacbot already exists. Blenders, dishwashers, and washing machines are pretty much bots already (they do something that would otherwise be done by hand), and they're certainly busy adding microchips to make them all smarter. If you look in a fast food area, you'll tend to find devices that you feed food to and it comes out cooked..soundslike stovebot to me. Not sure what 'fridgebot' would do, a fridge is just a storage system, but fridges are geetting smarter too. Lawnmowerbot already exists. Microwave ovens are getting smarter too...

And we're nowhere near being able to build Jeevesbot.

 

[Whipsnade]

"The generalist-bot doesn't actually need to be humaniform (vargriform? aslaniform?), but consider how many of the things in the world are already designed to be used by things of that shape?"


Sir,

You're making the same asuumption those late 19th century illustrators did with automobiles. To whit: "Carriages are 'already designed to be used by things of that shape' so autombiles will be mechanical horses that pull carriages because we've got so many carriages already."

Tin Men and Jeeves-bots are much 'kewler' from a RPG standpoint. However, if I was betting on what would appear first, I'd go with 'smart dwellings'; a central processor that controls everything including a host of dum-bots. This also figures neatly into the 'lack' of robots in the OTU. Robots are there, they just aren't noticed because they normally aren't Tin Men or Jeeves-bots.

You mentioned equipment breakdowns as one reason generalist 'bots would be preferable; asking if a vacumn 'bot broke down how would the vacumning get done? Well, if your vacumn breaks down, how does your vacumning get done? Also, spreading the chores out among many, small, cheap, specially designed one-or-two purpose dum-bots limits the effects of breakdowns. If your generalist 'bot goes on the fritz nothing gets done, if a smart dwelling's dum-bot breaks one or two chores get ignored until repairs are made.

As Mr. Jackson mentioned, we have plenty of 'robots' inside our homes already and progress is being made in this area everyday. 'Smart dwellings' controlling ancillary devices to handle more and more chores will come into being incrementally; one device and one job at a time. The generalist 'bots you mention need to leap that gap all at once once. They need to be able to nearly everything right out of the box, otherwise they will not be purchased. If you need to purchase both a genralist 'bot and the style of vacumn cleaner it can use, why not simply buy a vacumn 'bot in the first place?

One final note; the more a device does, the more it needs to be supervised. Most people either can't program the clocks on their VCRs or don't it find worth the effort. Ordering around a Jeeves-bot may be more of a nuisance then some folks want.


Sincerely,
Larsen

 

[TKalbfus]

Sir,

You're making the same asuumption those late 19th century illustrators did with automobiles. To whit: "Carriages are 'already designed to be used by things of that shape' so autombiles will be mechanical horses that pull carriages because we've got so many carriages already."

Mechanical horses are possible today, Honda could build one since it already has built a 2 legged walking robot.

Tin Men and Jeeves-bots are much 'kewler' from a RPG standpoint. However, if I was betting on what would appear first, I'd go with 'smart dwellings'; a central processor that controls everything including a host of dum-bots. This also figures neatly into the 'lack' of robots in the OTU. Robots are there, they just aren't noticed because they normally aren't Tin Men or Jeeves-bots.

A humanoid robot was built a few years ago, there is a half-size robot called Asmo, stands 1 meter tall and it can walk around and pick up things with its hands. I guess its still experimental as I haven't seen to many of these walking around. Perhaps by the end of this decade we might see a few in our neighbor's houses.

 

[Gordon]

Nobody mentioned Cassandra from Android (1982). Neat film and worth a mention.

 

[Keklas Rekobah]

Gentlebeings,

It all comes down to a matter of personal taste and wealth.

If all you ever want or can afford is a cold-water sink to scrub a few tin pots, then that is what you will have (barring theft or inheritance).

If your tastes and budget runs toward a Uneeda Jeeves bot, then that you shall have (you deserve it!).

If you prefer 20 specialist bots controlled from a central computer brain, and can afford it, then your home (hotel suite, campsite, whatever) will have that.

If you are more interested in TL7/8 semi-automatic appliances, then go for it.

The issue of what type of product (bots, in this case) to use comes down to:

- Supply & Demand.
- Personal Taste and Wealth.
- Available Technology (TL).
- Social Pressures ("Fashion").

 

[Whipsnade]

"It all comes down to a matter of personal taste and wealth."


Sir,

Precisely. Generalist robots are much more fun and much useful in a RPG campaign. Besides allowing the the GM to reinforce the "Not In Kansas Anymore" feeling of the setting, they also make for oodles of adventure hooks and mcguffins.

Sadly, the OTU, as stitched together in the late 70s and early 80s, had little use for robots. That decision may have been made in order to make Traveller stand apart from Star Wars, but for whatever reason, robots seem to be 'lacking' in the OTU.

One explanation, or handwave, for this is the idea that OTU robots are a continuation of our current day specialized machines and expert systems. No matter how we wave away or explain it, Traveller's lack of C3PO-type, generalist robots is a nagging problem. I for one would like to see more of them, no matter what the Shudasham(?) Accords or SSMM fanatics have to say on the matter.


Sincerely,
Larsen

 

[Keklas Rekobah]

Larsen,

For my book (IMTU) the robot that is both self-aware and autonomous will always be a TL16+ item - the Virus notwithstanding. C3P0 fits this category, which is why 'Protocol Droids' are not found IMTU.

The 'Uneeda Jeeves' robot is, at best, a TL14 item fit only to "... relieve deserving sophonts from the drudgery of housekeeping chores, thus giving you more time to enjoy the Good Life!"

 

[Whipsnade]

The 'Uneeda Jeeves' robot is, at best, a TL14 item fit only to "... relieve deserving sophonts from the drudgery of housekeeping chores, thus giving you more time to enjoy the Good Life!"


Sir,

Yes indeed! Get a 'Uneeda Jeeves' and have time for adventures! The 'Uneeda Jeeves' what ever Traveller needs! This Father's Day, get dear old Dad a 'Uneeda Jeeves' and say goodbye to lawn mowing forever!

Drat and double drat! I want one NOW!


Sincerely,
Larsen

 

[TKalbfus]

An intelligent Robot in the OTU is a tech level 16 item. This is 1 above the standard tech level for classic Traveller, but in the Spinward Marches their is the Planet Darrian which is listed at TL16, this is from the ruins of a prior civilization. One of the artifacts turned up could be a TL16 AI Robot, all it basically needs is a new power source and its up and running. Now if you want a player character robot in the OTU, this is where the robot comes from.

 

[Hecateus]

Just chiming in,

waldo

/wol'doh/ n. [From Robert A. Heinlein's story "Waldo"]
1. A mechanical agent, such as a gripper arm, controlled by a human limb. When these were developed for the nuclear industry in the mid-1940s they were named after the invention described by Heinlein in the story, which he wrote in 1942. Now known by the more generic term `telefactoring', this technology is of intense interest to NASA for tasks like space station maintenance.

how many of you use them in game?