[[[ Playtest Focus ]]] Robots

[MongooseMatt]

Okay, CSC has just been updated with a brand new chapter, covering robots.

This is obviously a very, very big topic, so some focus may be useful, as we have made the rules as open-ended as possible so practically any robot from any universe can be created. Also please be aware that we will be differentiating between Robots and Drones, the latter of which will appear in the Vehicle Handbook very soon.

Principally, I would like to know;

1. Do the costs of all the robots thus far seem right (I am pretty sure they are not!)?

2. What other Traits should we be adding?

3. What other Programming do we need (not sure we need anything beyond Basic, Advanced and Very Advanced, but I'll throw it out there)?

4. What other types of robot would you like to see in the book, ready for purchase?

 

[Reynard]

I'd like to see a variety of security drones and robots. Combat bots are fine for the intensity of a battlefield but I see Traveller having more encounters where security forces are the main hazard and obstacle to a goal. These can be tougher 'non shall pass' guard bots to corridor patrol units to police units to little creepy snitch recon units. All are still a threat but not armed and armored for war.

 

[Tenacious-Techhunter]

Robots should have a program for basic military maneuvers and formations; they should be able to surround the enemy and then charge the enclosed position.

 

[Reynard]

I made that first post before receiving notice that the robot doc was available. Now I understand what is out. I hope to see an actual construction set to better grasp the robot examples as it feels incomplete. Will study the various traits presented and check some older sources for some descriptions to recreate.

 

[JRoss]

I'd like to see a section on making robots, a la High Guard and Vehicle Handbook. There are currently no hard design guidelines.

 

[JRoss]

I'd like to see a section on making robots, a la High Guard and Vehicle Handbook. There are currently no hard design guidelines.

 

[AnotherDilbert]

1. Robots are cheap as chips. An Air/raft costs kCr 250, why would I not equip it with a Utility Droid at kCr 3.5 so that is drives itself? Even an AstroMech at MCr 1 is much cheaper than clumsy meat-heads requiring massive staterooms, life-support, and salaries.
A Free Trader costs MCr 45, requiring a crew of 5. For MCr 47 I can get it with a couple of AstroMechs, Sanitation Droids, and Security Droids, so that it requires no crew and I can sell 5 more High passages every Jump. (Robots are great, but I do not like Traveller without Travellers, in case my prejudice is not obvious enough).

4. A few more Utility Droids of varying TLs, up to something like the Protocol Droid, that can filled with a specified amount of Expert Software at purchase. Something like Advanced Utility Droid, TL12, Advanced Programming, AnySkill-2, AnySkill-1, AnySkill-1, AnySkill-0, AnySkill-0.


The robots need specified characteristics both to use their skills, and in case someone want to wrestle a droid, or do something faster than a droid.
Perhaps default STR 7, DEX 7, END 15, INT 3, EDU 3 with basic programming, INT 5, EDU 5 with advanced programming, and INT (TL-5) [so starting at 9] with very advanced programming. Combat droid can be stronger etc.

 

[Reynard]

The more one loads up ships and vehicles with automated systems the fewer player characters are needed. Player characters take up massive amount of living space, life support and cost money to upkeep.

I actually picture future Traveller making all spaceships, starships and vehicles with automated systems plus robots to do exploration and combat. Player characters are there to pay to use those systems and go along for the ride but not interfere. The 'government', those people at the top who get to keep their very well paid positions, will determine living beings are unable to ensure health and safety with operation of most items. Only robots can guarantee perfect operations.

Also remember the higher the tech level and the larger the population on a world the greater the population will be unemployed. Some worlds may take care of its citizens partially or solely by the government welfare system operated by the automated systems of course.

Then again, the robot systems may finally realize the living elements are an unnecessary waste of resources....

 

[IanBruntlett]

Only robots can guarantee perfect operations.

I disagree. There are so many things that can go wrong. Assuming that everything is working OK, a robot will be more likely to produce repeatable, predictable results better than a Sophont. However, a Sophont is likely to be better at dealing with novel / unexpected events.

 

[AnotherDilbert]

I actually picture future Traveller making all spaceships, starships and vehicles with automated systems plus robots to do exploration and combat.

That is a completely reasonable future, but not classical Traveller. Classical Traveller has lots of starships crewed by, and ground battles fought by, meat-heads.

Note that most robots are not very smart at least until TL14(?) and Very Advanced Programming is available.

Advanced: The robot has some fair degree of intelligence and can interact with both the environment and Travellers in a way that almost appears sentient. However, the robot will tend to be very literal in its responses and when confronted with an unexpected or unfamiliar situation, may become confused to the point of inaction.

Also note that robots are some form of computers and not immune to malware and hacking.

 

[Reynard]

Yeah, tell that to the marketers trying to sell today's public that we MUST go driverless. Test show our cars never fail, are not confused by novel/unpredicted events and there's no such thing as malware or hacking.

Trust us.