Hello,
Here's an idea I tried just to see if it could be done. A Tech 8 robot.
All the elements and programs are manufacturable at TL8, but I ran into
trouble when completeing the design. The maximum robot intelligence at
tech eight is negative 3 according to the design evaluation tables.
So this robot is assumed to have it's brain architecture designed at
tech 12, but built using local materials at Tech Level 8. If you don't
like that idea, the unit is equipped with a slave unit allowing external
control. The ECM would make certain that it remains under control
provided that the attacker is not too sophisticated.
Picadore type Warbot
RobotID: Warbot, TL8, Cr 25,076
Hull: (1/2) Config=4USL, Disp=.037, Armor=14B, Load=702Kg
Power: (1/2) FuelCell=70kw, Dur=18/54
Loco: (1/2) Tracks, Road=132kph, OffRoad=40kph
Comm: Radio=VDist
Sensors: Visual*4, (ActIR*1, LI*1) Audio*2, Olfactory, VideoCam*1
Off: Light Assault Gun
Def: Smoke*1
Control: Brain CPU=13, Storage=19, Low Data, Limited Bas Command,
Light Assault Gun-1, Close Combat-1, Ground Infantry
Combat-1, Tactics-1, ECM
Other: Fuel=150liter, Mag=150rnds, HeavyRobotArm*2,
VLightRobotArm*2, ObjSize=Sm, EMLevel=Avg,
UPP=S9x12x (S=125)
The Picadore warbot is more properly classified as a remotely piloted
vehicle. As such it is used by artillary spotters. Though many would doubt
its intelligence and not trust its target verification programming, it has
been sucessfully used along side troops as fire support. In such cases, the
friendly forces must wear an infrared transponder. The active IR detector
in the Picadore interrogates human targets for a correct code before opening
fire. Friendly vehicles must be programmed into the unit or they will be
fired upon.
Because of its low intelligence, it is rarely used in such cases and
is more often used as a raider to cross the lines and cause havoc. As such
it accels. It is as well armored as a man in battledress, much stronger,
much cheaper, and Much more expendable.
It has been known to be used by Special Weapons arms in police forces.
In such cases its actions are overseen by a trained operator. Though it has
no demolition skills of it's own, it is often used in bomb disposal, again
overseen by a trained operator.
Designed at tech level twelve for manufacture at tech eight, The
Picadore was mass produced in the Spinward Marches by several small
manufacturing firms during the Fifth Frontier War. They saw limited use in
that conflict. At the conclusion of the war, the existing models were sold
to low tech planets as artillary spotters. Though manufactured at tech eight,
few tech eight planets have existing maintainace facilties for the repair of
robots and they fell into disuse and were finally abandoned by many such
planets.
Then the black market got a hold of them. Mercenary Companies are
known to have Picadores in use, and there are several cases of armed robbery
committed by Picadores under criminal control. While they are not outright
illegal, their use is heavily restricted and liscenced.
Mr. Scott