Robotics Skill
A robotics expert specializes in robots. Robots are complex. mobile
machines that are designed to perform specific jobs. Many types of
robots are available. Eight common types are described in the Equipment
section. The referee can create new types if he wants them.
The robotics skill has nine subskills: Identify, Add Equipment, Repair,
Activate/Deactivate, Remove Security Lock, List Functions, Alter
Function and Alter Mission.
If the robot is an alien design, then the robotics expert has a -20%
modifier on his rolls to perform these subskills. A character must have a
robcomkit to work on a robot.
Robot Levels. There are six levels of robots. A robot's level indicates
how complex it is. High-level robots can perform more complicated jobs.
Level 1 robots can do only simple jobs. They have been
pre-programmed for some specific job and usually can not do any other
job. They can not communicate, and often are nothing more than moving,
self-operated appliances. An example of a level 1 robot is a
maintenance robot that washes and waxes the floors of a building each
night.
Level 2 robots can handle several simple jobs. They can receive and
follow radio commands in binary machine language sent from some
other machine, such as a robot brain or a computer. An example of a
level 2 robot is a heavy machine that digs into and smashes up rock,
then separates out flecks of gold.
Level 3 robots can do more complicated jobs. In addition, all robots that
arc lcvcl 3 or highcr can talk and follow verbal instructions. If these
instructions disagree with the robot s programming, it will ignore the
orders.
Level 4 robots can act semi-independently. Their programs are flexible,
letting the robot accomplish specific goals using different methods.
When asked, "How do I get to the starport?" one level 4 service robot
might give verbal directions, while another might photocopy a city map
and mark the proper route on it.
Level 5 robots can act independently and give orders to other robots
(level 6 robots can do this also). For example, a level 5 security robot
might decide to stop chasing a criminal because the criminal left victims
tied up in a burning house. The robot could organize a rescue mission of
other robots.
Level 6 robots are self-programming. They can change the methods
they use and even their goals to account for changing conditions. They
are almost, but not quite, living machines. A robot brain that runs an
automated manufacturing plant and alters the manufacturing process in
response to changing economic conditions is an example of a level 6
robot.
Missions. All robots have a mission. A mission is a set of rules that tell
the robot what its job is. A robot's mission is the most important order it
has, and overrides any orders that conflict with it.
Functions. All robots have several functions that tell them how to
accomplish their mission. Low-level robots cannot make decisions, so
their functions must be very specific statements. Higher-level robots
can make decisions for themselves, so their functions can be more
general statements.
For example, a level 3 security robot might have the mission: "Stop all
unauthorized personnel from entering this building." Its functions could
define "stop" as giving intruders a warning, then using the Restrain
program to keep them from entering. "All unauthorized personnel" could
be defined as any person or machine that is not wearing a special
badge. The robot must be given a function that defines "this building,"
and another that tells it what areas it must patrol to look for intruders.
Another function could instruct it to call the police and report the
break-in after an intruder has been restrained.
IDENTIFICATION
Success Rate: 100% + skill level - robot level
A robotics expert has a chance to determine a robot's type and level
simply by looking at the robot. The chance is 100% plus the specialist's
level x 10, minus the robot's level x 10. Once a robot has been
successfully identified, the expert can always identify that robot (unless
its appearance is changed).
ADDING EQUIPMENT
Success Rate: 100%
A robotics expert can install new equipment on a robot himself and save
the 10% installation fee.
REPAIRING ROBOTS
Success Rate 40% + skill level - robot level
Only robotics experts can repair robots. Robots are repaired according
to the standard repair rules.
ACTIVATE/DEACTIVATE
Success Rate: 100%
A robotics expert can deactivate (turn off) a robot regardless of its
level. The expert also can activate robots that have been deactivated.
However, before a robotics specialist can deactivate the robot, list its
functions, remove its security lock or alter its functions or mission, he
must get at the robot's internal circuitry. This requires removing a
protective plate, which takes one turn. (The plate can be removed in one
turn even if the robot is fighting the character, but the character
probably will take damage before he gets the plate off.) Once the plate
is off, the robot can be deactivated in one turn.
REMOVING SECURITY LOCKS
Success Rate: 70% + skill level - robot level
If a robot has a security lock, the lock must be removed before someone
can list the robot's functions or alter its functions or mission. A robot
can be deactivated before the security lock is removed. Once a security
lock has been removed it can not be used again.
LISTING FUNCTIONS
Success Rate: 90% + skill level - robot level
A robotics expert can learn a robot's exact mission and functions, as
well as get a list of all the programs in the robot, by using this
subskill.Once a character has successfully listed the robot's function's,
he can always list that robot's functions.
ALTERING FUNCTIONS
Success Rate: 60% + skill level - robot level
A robotics expert can change one of a robot's functions at a time. The
character must roll separately for each function altered. Changing an
altered function back to the original also requires a new roll. Changing a
function takes 1 d10 minutes. If the new function violates the robot's
mission or requires programs the robot does not have, the robot will
ignore the new function.
ALTERING MISSION
Success Rate: 50% + skill level - robot level
A robotics expert can try to alter a robot's mission. This takes 1d10
minutes plus the robot's level. Changing the robot's mission does not
affect its functions; these must be altered individually. Once a mission
has been changed, changing it back to the original mission requires
another roll. If the new mission requires programs the robot does not
have, the robot will still try to follow its new mission however it can.
MALFUNTIONS
If a character fails a roll to remove a security lock or alter a robot's
function or mission, the robot can malfunction. When this happens, the
referee should roll d100 on the Malfunction Table.