Large-Scale AI

Definition and Uses

Most intelligent organic life-forms are limited in how many things they can be aware of and meaningfully think about at one time.  Artificial systems can be designed to circumvent these limits, and doing so allows for the successful management and administration of truly large endeavors.  Large-scale AI often serves in the role of "ship's computer" on large star-ships, and as an incredibly valuable administrative assistant in any government, but especially those at the scale of large modern nation-states and above. 

History

Originally developed in the Empire of 1,000,000 Suns early in Era-0, and re-invented early in Era-1 in the Planetary League, large-scale AI is a technology capable of transforming the way large enterprises are carried out.  The advent of these intelligences was known as "the singularity" in human-controlled space.  The Corporate States made extensive use of large-scale AI in integrating the administration of a state with for-profit enterprise.

Examples

General Zarlok and the computer-god Troniac are both examples of large-scale AI.  Large-scale AI was used extensively in the University of Aldebaran-2 to collate large data sets and discover hidden pieces of information.

The John-Henry industrial battleoid

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Specs

Height: 10 meters(32'9")

Width at shoulders: 4 meters(13'1")

Length (cockpit):  3 meters(9'10")

Operating mass: 60 metric tons (66 tons)

Maximum walking speed: 40kph (25mph)

Power system:  Two hot-swappable graphene-glucose hypercapacitors (mounted on either side of the cockpit)

Power system output: 10000kw

History

The ironically named John-Henry (named after the folk hero ) was built and sold by Ares Systems during Era-1, primarily as a piece of heavy construction equipment.  The relatively simple, modular design led to a host of modified versions for specific tasks.  The John Henry was a top-seller, and Ares Systems reliably redesigned it with new features and improvements about once a decade throughout its manufacturing lifespan.

The popular shipyard variant was outfitted with maneuvering jets, a fully environmentally-sealed cockpit (with storage for enough consumables to supply one pilot for 24 hours), and two heavy-duty electromagnets in the soles of the feet.

The versatility of its design, and heavy-duty construction also made the John-Henry a useful (if slow-moving) improvised defensive unit in combat situations.  Many of the small states that sprung up around the fringes of the Planetary League included John-Henries in their armed forces.  John-Henries were also a common armament for various the pockets of resistance and rebellion that opposed the Holy Empire of Man during Era-2.

Convergence Scout Walker

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A picnic ruined by a Convergence Scout Walker

The Convergence scout walker is first and foremost a terror weapon, designed to strike fear into the hearts of those unlucky enough to encounter it.  Deployed most heavily during the first and second Convergence wars, it was the harbinger and vanguard of the main battle forces of the Convergence. 

Technically, the scout walker is a Battleoid, based on height (about 15 meters) and movement type (walker); however, it varies from most battleoids insofar that it is piloted by six Greys joined in a common mind.  Typically, one pilot controls each of the main functions of the vehicle: the legs, the grabbers/ hands, the weaponry, communications, sensors, and navigation.

The control scheme of this vehicle does not lend itself to use by non-grey crews, although on rare occasions, captured scout-walkers have been retrofitted for use by non-grey pilots.  This was typically used as an infiltration tactic, and for every successful attempt, there were a large number of failures.

Armament

The Convergence Scout Walker is typically armed with a large infrared laser ("heat ray") powerful enough to incinerate most organic targets instantly, and ignite most conventional inorganic targets.  This weapon is generally used as a defensive measure, when the crew feels threatened. 

Common secondary weapons are typically non-lethal, and include tractor-beams, sonic cannons, and pulsed photonic emitters.  These are intended to instill panic and confusion in the walker's victims.

History

The Convergence scout walker was based on the design of the civil defense battleoid.  When the Convergence broke away from the Empire of 1,000,000 Suns, they took several civil defense battleoids with them, and many greys had experience with those machines from their time as scavengers and trash collectors in the empire.

General-purpose humanoid robots

One of the most persistent designs in robotics is the humanoid.  Mimicking humanity was the most obvious path to development for many early efforts in the field.  As a result, many of the most successful robot designs have been humanoid in form.

After the Third Robot War, the Planetary League adopted the Rubric of Duty into law, officially confining all commercially produced robots and AIs to a single specialized purpose, effectively preventing them from achieving general intelligence.  Even with this regulatory regime, general-purpose hardware remained popular, and many programmers and DIY enthusiasts (on both sides of the law) continually sought to push the boundaries of ability.

For example, the Pegasus Cybernetics S-series, which first saw production in GSC 54 was widely popular, and was adapted to a wide variety of tasks.

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Robots

Robots fill many roles, and have a wide array of functions here are some examples:

Cargo robots are designed to carry heavy loads.

General-purpose robots could perform most of the functions of a human worker, but were generally limited to a single function.

Power Utility robots store and dispense large amounts of energy.

Superstructure Maintenance robots repair the outer hulls of space-craft and space stations.

Virobots are parasites on intelligent life-forms.

The Maenads of Troniac

The Maenads of Troniac (named after the maenads from Greek mythology) are humans (or other intelligent life-forms) who have been parasitisedby specially engineered virobots.  First deployed during the robot wars of late Era-0 and early Era-1, they were developed by the forces of General Zarlok, and saw their fullest use by the Engine of Negation in their ongoing attempts to rid the galaxy of organic life.

Instead of having their hosts build more virobots, the virobots used to create maenads are designed to drive their hosts into a berserk rage, focused on injuring or killing intelligent life.  Mostly used as a weapon of terror, maenads occasionally played bigger roles in thinning out the populations of cities before a direct attack.  This was generally accomplished by aerial bombardment, using munitions stuffed with virobots that could be scattered in population centers.

Tardigrade Powered Armor

The Tardigrades were a unique organization that filled a search and rescue role early on, that became more focused on disaster recovery, and the defense of outposts and colonies as time went on.  As a result, they developed a distinct set of equipment that would assist in their many efforts. 

Tardigrade armor was well-insulated from a wide array of environmental hazards, and included a mechanical-assist system that could substantially boost the wearer's strength.  It also included an extensive set of utility functions, enhancing the wearer's senses, increasing mobility, and facilitating communications.

Variants

The Tactical variant was the lighter version, and was used in cases where mobility and flexibility were essential.

The heavier "Water Bear" variety was used in situations where heavy resistance was expected.

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Tardigrade Tactical Powered Armor was relatively light, while still providing solid defensive capabilities. (helmet not shown)

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Water Bear armor was designed for maximum durability and strength.  Few battlefield weapons could breach it.

The Nalaxian Code

The Nalaxian Code is the only algorithm known that is strong enough to defeat the Creed of Troniac.  It was developed in the Empire of 1,000,000 Suns during the 1,000 Years War, as part of the development process of General Zarlok.   The code was created by the Grand Nalaxian, a sentient complex of spawning pools on Artanis 4 that served as that planet's governor.