A machine calibre is a human-piloted, humanoid combat robot, used by the Galactic Alliance of Humankind in their evolution wars.
Pilot support system
The most unique feature of machine calibres is the pilot support system. The pilot support system is an artificial intelligence whose primary function is the maintenance of the pilot's well-being, both physically and psychologically.
Their secondary function is to assist the pilot in operating the machine calibre, particularly in combat. They can not only assist with tactical analysis and planning, they also assist with things like aiming and manoeuvring. They can actually operate the machine entirely autonomously, at the cost of reduced combat effectiveness.
Machine calibre pilot support system AIs have limited ability to act independently, but only in emergency situations, and only in ways that they can reasonably assume the pilot would want them to act. Generally, they require pilot authorization before taking any action.
Because machine calibre pilots live in their cockpits for many years at a time, pilots often form personal bonds with their machine's pilot support system AI. However, pilot support system AIs are not sentient, so the bond is illusory.