Robobrain
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They could have programmed me to love, to forgive; but noooooo.
”— RobobrainRobobrains (military alphanumeric serial numbers RB-1234) are multi-purpose robots. Their memories and programs are stored inside an organic or partially organic brain, contained in a domed shell atop their chassis, which also acts as their central processor.[1].They are considered superior to most robots, as human brains allow them a wider range of responses and functions as well as being capable of operating most tools and weapons usable by humans.
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[edit] Background
Robobrains were created before the Great War by General Atomics International for the U.S. military. Official government records list only chimpanzee brains as being used in the robots,[2] but at least some human brains were taken from the bodies of executed criminals.[3] Many of these criminals were insane, so the robobrains with whom they were joined tended to be unstable, despite complete reprogramming,[4] usually with the CODE technology. Some of these human-robobrains hybrids would try to kill themselves, apparently resenting being made into cyborgs.
[edit] Characteristics
[edit] Construction
A robobrain moves on a tracked chassis (using dual 40 hydro-processor motors), either on a fixed or flexible mount. This is conjoined to a sizable cylindrical torso with a hardened glass dome on top, housing the brain which acts as a central processing unit. In addition, to use consoles, operate levers, or engage targets with weapons, they have two flexible manipulators, ending in three point claws, on the sides of their torsos. Robobrains were going to be the next generation of robotic soldier in the war against the Communist but their costs made it difficult to implement their introduction into the American military.
The robobrain's organic brain is suspended in pressurized bio med gel (which is the primary reason the brains can continue to function for several centuries). Any damage to the casing or the brain itself can disrupt the robot's brainwaves and damage its neural connection to the rest of the body, affecting the robot's performance. Feeding the organic brain information about its surroundings are special sensors (typically with software written in 2076 installed), called Sensors '76.[5] Apart from providing a real-time high resolution feed of the robot's surroundings, they are also capable of switching to infrared mode, in case the main sensors, for one reason or another, become useless.
The manipulators in some robobrain models are designed to operate regular human weaponry (such as AK-112 assault rifles), while some have integrated laser guns (wattage equivalent to AEP7 laser pistols), supported by integrated Mesmetron devices. In addition, all robobrains have a built-in voice synthesizer.
[edit] Programming
Robobrains, due to the nature of their organic processor, can be programmed with much more complex and expansive instructions than typical robots. This also means they are superior to typical combat robots in the Fallout universe, at least in terms of their tactics and strategy. Military maintenance bots can be controlled via a WLAN matrix network. In this case, a central AI operates the robots. In the Mariposa Military Base, the programs used to run robobrains were Facility Maintenance v2.1, Movement v4.8b, Repair v0.8a, Pest Control v1.4, Hearts v1.0, and Sensors '76.
However, it is imperative that robobrains be routinely memory-wiped, as it is possible for the brain to break its own programming (CODE or other types) and develop serious personality quirks. In Fallout 3 many suffer from this fate and seem to have grown to dislike what they were programmed for, but at the same time can do nothing to stop themselves from carrying out their programmed orders. This is hinted at by their battle cries of (but not limited to) "Please don't take this personally," "They could have programed me to love, to forgive, but nnnoooo," and "When this is all over, I hope we can still be friends." However some seem to enjoy what they have been programmed to do, with disturbing remarks such as: "Don't be afraid, I've become quite good at killing".
Robobrains in the Capital Wasteland have a noticeably feminine personality, in both voice tone and speech, however this could be a result of their reprogramming. A special, brainless robobrain called Masterbrain can be found in the Vault-Tec Headquarters in the ruins of Washington, DC. There are also non-hostile, essential (immortal) robobrains in Vault 112. It is also notable that the Brotherhood of Steel Outcasts have painted and re-programmed several robobrains for their own use.
[edit] Variants
[edit] Robobrain
Robobrains in California and neighboring states do not possess integrated weapon systems inside their frame. Rather, their flexible arms and organic processors were tailored to use regular firearms (such as rifles) in combat, something they are able to do with disturbing efficiency. However the Robobrains in the Mojave, Big MT and Capital Wasteland all do have integrated weapons, in the form of a laser and mind blast. Robobrains could be found in hi-tech locations such as Mariposa Military Base, the Glow, Sierra Army Depot, and in the NCR.
[edit] Humanoid brain bot
The humanoid brain bot's brain is held inside of a hardened glass container at the top and suspended in pressurized bio med gel. This bot is equipped with a cannon on its left arm that a combination of a .50 machine gun and a missile launcher as well as a large claw on its right arm for close combat and is able to communicate verbally. The humanoid robotic suit is extremely resistant against almost any type of damage.
[edit] Think tank
A think tank is a special type of brain bot. It consists of a robotic sphere-shaped body housing a human brain with three monitors attached to the robot's chassis. The robotic body has three monitors protruding from the robot's chassis. Two of these monitors depict eyes and the other depicts a mouth. Like eyebots, think tanks levitate by means of an unknown propulsion system.
[edit] Notable robobrains
[edit] Notes
- It's not entirely clear how the robobrains can see, as they have no visible optical sensors or other sensory input devices.
- Robobrains are the only thing keeping Vault 112 in proper condition.
- Herbert "Daring" Dashwood has a bit of a fascination with the robobrain, and has often wondered what goes into making one. He mentions that he likes their "sexy voice", wondering whether it indicates that the brain itself is that of a woman or if its voice synthesiser is simply programmed to sound female (judging by the fact that Mojave Robobrains speak with a distinctly masculine voice, it's most likely the latter). He also was exposed to its mind-blast once, and wrote later in his journals that "his head hurt for three days afterwards".
- Splicing a lobotomite and a robot at the X-8 research center will yield a robo-brain. It humorously aspires life in the outside world only to malfunction and self-deactivate in a tiny explosion.
- Aiming for the robobrain's 'head' is the easiest method to destroy them, as guns are much less effective on their armored torso than the glass dome containing their actual brain.
- In 3rd person veiw it is remarkable how large a Robobrain and it's perspective "actual brain" appears in relation to a normal person's size. It might be that either the robobrain's domes or the bio med gel therein has a distorting effect, making the brain look bigger than it actally is.
[edit] Notable quotes
Robobrains have humorous yet quite morbid dialogue programming. They strongly hint that while the brain has feelings for all forms of life, the robot programming makes it kill involuntarily.
[edit] Appearances
Robobrains appear in Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas.
[edit] Behind the scenes
- Robobrains in Fallout: New Vegas are voiced by Wil Wheaton.
[edit] Gallery
Robobrain in Fallout and Fallout 2
Robobrain in Fallout and Fallout 2
Robobrain render in Fallout and Fallout 2
Robobrain in Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas
Masterbrain in Fallout 3
U.S. Army robobrain in Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas
Outcast robobrain in Fallout 3
Enclave robobrain in Fallout 3
Brotherhood of Steel robobrain in Fallout 3
Robobrain parts
Robobrain concept art of Fallout 3
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[edit] References
- ↑ Fallout: New Vegas loading screen hints: "The Robobrain, constructed by General Atomics International before the great nuclear war, is unique in that it uses and actual organic brain as its central processor."
- ↑ Fallout 2 Official Strategies & Secrets by Matt Norton
- ↑ Chris Taylor interview for Vault13.net
- ↑ J.E. Sawyer's Fallout RPG
- ↑ ROBCTRL.MSG
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