The Sputnik Support Robot (SSR) is a general support and information robot produced by Excalibur Inc. as a personal service companion bot. The robot is designed to serve as a mobile data storage, communications, and general computer interface as well as industrial purposes for detecting safety hazards and autonomous security / reporting.
- Size
- 22 cm Diameter Spheroid
- Maximum Speed
- 110 kph
- Standard Speed
- 6 kph
- Power Source
- Spatial Variance Reactor
- Propulsion
- Antigravity
Compressed Gas Thrusters - Mobility Range
- Approx. 2600 km
- Communication Range
- Approx. 2 AU
- CPU
- Encapsulated Computer Core
Capabilities
- A/V Recording & Transmission
- EM Detection from Far Infrared to Extreme Ultraviolet
- Audio Detection from 50 Hz to 150 Hz
- Signal differentiation as low as 0.00001 lux (Visual) and -20 dB (Audio)
- Conditions Monitoring
- Ionizing radiation detection
- Subspace anomaly detection
- Noxious chemical detection
- Authentication
- Biometric scanning
- Voice print identification
- Communications Relay
- Subspace, RF, and Point-to-Point IR Laser
- Holographic Interface & Projection
- Range of low-resolution holographic interface within line of sight up to 95 meters
- Range of high-resolution holographic interface within line of sight up to 72 meters
Uses
Originally intended as an extension of personal communications / computing devices acting as a non-sentient but highly adaptive assistant, the devices have been used for a variety of additional purposes. Since the device's introduction in 2384 they have started to appear in private homes being used as monitors / companions for small children, the elderly wishing to live independently. In addition to this industrial sectors have begun to use them as automated security devices, stationing them at dangerous or sensitive areas to block entry and report potential risks. In the public sector they have begun appearing in a similar role, blocking / reporting unauthorized access and serving to assist security forces in authentication of unknown individuals. As of mid 2386 they have been also seen monitoring hazardous areas for spikes in ionizing radiation or other potentially life threatening conditions.
Programming
The onboard computer has a simple ECC favoring memory storage over processing power, the basic AI is certified non-sentient though is designed to be intuitive. The onboard AI is able to learn new skills, patterns of behavior using neural network processing as well as direct programming via computer terminal or voice commands. The built in skills and programming are task dependent but different programming packages are modular and interchangeable.
Learning vs. Programming
The AI is designed to be adaptive but the level of adaptation is defendant on the device's settings. With enough time the AI is capable of learning to distinguish certain intentions which can alter its behavior beyond what has been explicitly programmed. The heuristic algorithm can be configured via voice command or direct terminal interface. The maximum learning / problem solving level is similar to that of a domestic dog or cat.
Personality
Though some programming packages are more rigid than others the default / consumer package is adaptive enough for the devices to develop heuristic behaviors based on experience. In this way each device can develop unique behaviors based on that experience. Each unique behavior adds to a device's personality, owners can configure devices to override and remove problem behaviors or leave them open to learning / developing new personality traits as time goes on.