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Robots in Traveller Dragon Magazine Aug1982
Robots in Traveller Dragon Magazine Aug1982
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ROBOTS
Mechanical sidekicks
for 'TRA VELLERTM players
by Jon Mattson 1.SHAPE
Base Tech
The TRAVELLERT.game system thoroughly covers many Code Shape Cost Level Str Dex End
aspects of technology. However, there is, surprisingly, no 0 Box/Tank 800 5 +1 -2 +2
procedurein the rulesfor creating robots,androids,andsimilar 1 Cylinder/Bullet 850 6 +1 - +1
computerized companions. Robots play an integral part in 2 Cone 850 6 +1 -2 +2
manyscience fiction stories and should, logically, be equally 3 Sphere 900 6 +1 - +1
importantin asciencefiction game.This article suggestsa way 4 Plane/Disc 800 7 -1 +1 +1
to create custom-designed robots for use in a TRAVELLER 5 Human top,
campaign. Box bottom 1500 7 +1 +1 +1
6 Humanoid 1200 7 - +2 -
The Universal Robot Profile 7 Human' 2000 8 - +3 -1
Like humans, robots are described by a string of digits and 8 Animal Shape2 Variable2 8 -'-:'-Variable2-
letters that differentiate them from each other, using hexidec- 9 Unusual Shap& Variable2----
imal (base 16) notation. This code is known as the Universal 1 - These robots are commonly known as androids. At
Robot Profile, or URP. the referee's discretion, an android can be made to look
The first six digits of a robot's URP represent its basic charac- exactly like a certain person; however, this will drastically
teristics, which are the same as the six characteristics in a increase the cost of the 'droid (usually at least 200%), and
human character's UPP: Strength, Dexterity, Endurance, Intel- may require a higher Tech Level for manufacturing.
'-' ligence, Education, and Social Standing. Unlike humans, ro- 2 - This should be fully explained on the robot's design
bots do not generate these characteristics by rolling two six- sheet; the cost, Tech Level, and attribute effects of these
sided dice. Instead, each score is calculated by totalling a forms may vary widely, and it is up to the referee to decide
number of other factors in the robot's URP (size, number of what effects each specific form will have.
limbs, programming, and so on). The following table indicates
which factors affect each attribute and shows the minimum and 2. SIZE
maximum scores a robot can have in each characteristic. Cost Tech
Code Size (fVmelers) Modifier Levell Sir Dex End
Category Factors Mln Max 0 Lessthan 1'/0.3 m 1.0 +2 +4 +3 -4
Strength Shape; Size; Material 1 18(1)1 1 1'/0,3 m 0.8 +1 +5 +2 -3
Dexterity Shape; Size; Limbs 12 15(F) 2 2'/0.6 m 0.5 +6 +1 -2
Endurance Shape; Size; Material 1 18(1}I 3 3'/0.9 m 0.6 +6 +1 -1
Intelligence Computer Brain 2 20(K}I 4 4'/1.2 m 0.8 +7
Education Programming 0 21 (L)1 5 5'/1.5m 1.0 +7
Social Standing Base score of 2 2 83 6 6'/1.8 m 1.2 +8
1 - Dexterity lower than 1 indicates that the robot
cannot move.
7
8
7'/2.1 m
8'/2.4 m
1.5
1.8
+1 +9 -1
-1
+1
+1 +10 +2
, 2 - Scores above 15 (F) simply follow the same letter 9 9'/2.7 m 2.0 +2 +11 -2 +3
pattern; 16 is G, 17 is H, 18 is I, and so on. A More than 2.5 +2 +12 -3 +4
3 - This may vary in robot-oriented societies at the 9'/2.7 m2
referee's discretion. , - This is added to the base Tech Level found for
Shape.
Some characteristics, particularly Social Standing, may be 2 - Cost, Tech Level, and attribute effects may vary in
further modified by the robot's programming. extreme cases; the referee must calculate the exact ef-
fects of this.
Other characteristics
The remainder of a robot's URP lists other characteristics 2A. WEIGHT
such as size, shape, and material. These other characteristics Although the weight of a robot is not especially important
are explained in the followingtables, along with costs, min- (and it has not been given a space in the URP code), it may be
imumTech Levelfor manufacturing, and their effects on the six determined by using the following formula:
"--" basic characteristics.
Note that the base cost of a robot in credits (CR) is deter- Weight (in kg) =
mined by its size, and is modified by size and material. The (Size Code x 12)3 x Material Code x Shape % x 0.000048
system will become clear as one progresses through the var-
ious tables and reads the checklist at the end of the charts. The Size and Material codes are taken from the URP. The
DRAGON 47
Shape % is a function of the Shape Code, and is determined by the basic form. Note that a tentacle is considered to be
referring to this table: about two-thirds of the robot's size, and this length can be
Shape Code Shape % increased for CR 150 per foot per tentacle.
0 or 1 150% 3 - Modify by the Size Cost Modifier as for the rest of
2, 6, or 7100% the basic form. Treads can be added at a cost of CR 200
3 125% per tread (this facilitates all-terrain travel).
~
4 80% 4 -
Combination robots have two or more types of
5 140% limbs -
for example, tentacles and wheels. Of course, the
8 or 9 Variable exact types and number must be listed on the robot's
Thus, a humanoid robot (Shape Code 6) standing 1.8 design sheet. The Tech Level is equal to one number
meterstall (Size Code 6) and having a Material Code o'f1, higher than the level of the highest-leveltype included; a
would weigh roughly 125.4 kg. Any weight figure arrived robot with two wheels and two tentacles, for instance,
at using this formula is approximate and can be modified would have a Tech Level of g. The Dexterity bonus is
as the referee sees fit. equal to the bonus for the best limb type, plus 1 for each
additional limb of another type included (excluding "in-
3. MATERIAL terface"limbs). up to a maximum additional bonus of +4.
Rather than list all the possible materials a robot could be The cost of a combination robot is equal to the combined
made from,different codes are used to indicate the relative cost of all limb types plus an additional 20% of that
strength and endurance of a given material, with "0" being the number.
weakest (aluminum, ceramic, and the like) and "9" being the
strongest (titanium, for instance). The material a robot is made 5. COMPUTER BRAIN
from may give it "skin" equivalent to armor in some cases, as The computer brain of a robot is perhaps its most important
indicated on the following table. feature. In addition to affecting its Intelligence score, the com-
puter brain also limits the number of programs that the robot
Armor Cost Tech can store at one time. The following table lists the program
Code Equivalent Modifier Level Str End capacity (the number of programs the brain can hold), equival-
0 None 0.25 1 -3 +3 ent Intelligence score, cost, Tech Level, and size requirement
1 None 0.4 1 -2 +4 (the minimum Size Code a robot must have to contain that
2 Jack-1 0.6 2 -1 +5 brain) for each of the Computer Brain Codes.
3 Jack 0.8 3 -1 +6
4 Jack 1.0 4 - +7 Program Equlv. Tech Minimum
5 Mesh 1.2 5 - +7 Code Capacity Int. Cost Level Size Code
6 Mesh 1.4 6 - +8 01 0 2 250 5 0
7 Clothl 1.6 7 +1 +9 1 1 3 500 6 0
8 Cloth1 1.8 8 +2 +10 2 2 4 1000 6 0
9 Battledress 2.0 A +3 +12 3 3 5 2000 7 1
1 -
Except where Mesh would be better, in which case .4 5 6 3000 1 1 ,.-
use Mesh; 5 1 7 5000 7 1
6 10 8 7500 8 2
3A: BASIC COST 7 12 9 10000 8 2
Once the robot's Shape, Size, and Material have been deter- 8 15 A 15000 8 2
mined. its basic cost can be calculated by multiplying the Base 9 18 B 20000 9 2
Cost (for Shape) by the cost modifiers for Size and Material. A 20 C 30000 9 3
Thus, a robot with a Shape Code of 4, Size Code of 7, and B 22 D 40000 A 3
Material Codeof6 hasa basic cost of CR1680(800 x 1.5)( 1.4). C 24 E 50000, A 3
This basic cost will be further modified by limbs, programming, D 26 F 60000 B 3
and other attributes explained hereafter. E 28 G 80000 C 3
F 30 H 100000 D 4
4. LIMBS G 32 I 125000 E 4
Tech H 35 J 150000 F 4
CodeLImbType Number Level DexCost I 40 J 200000 G 4
0 None 0 - +1 - J z K 300000 H 5
1 Interfacel 1 or 2 7 +3 CR SOO/Attachment 1 - This "robot" will have only automatic, pre-pro-
2 Interfacel 3 or 4 7 +3 CR 500/ Attachment grammed functions: it can open cans, toast bread, or
3 Interfacel 5+ 8 +3 CR 500/ Attachment something similar, but not much more.
4 Tentacle 1 8 +4 CR 750lTentacle2 z- ACodeJ robot brain has artificial intelligence and is
5 Tentacles 2 8 +5 CR 750/Tentacle2 not programmed per sa; instead, it learns skills just as a
6 Tentacles 3 or 4 9 +7 CR 750/Tentacle2 character would and has a virtually unlimited program-
7 Tentacles 5 or 6 9 +9 CR 750/Tentacle2 ming capacity. It is considered to have a normal Educa-
8 Tentacles 7+ 9 +9 CR 750/Tentacle2 tion score (see below); however, when it has attained 41
9 Arm/Leg 1 8 +5 CR 1000/Limb2 or more points of progamming, its education is consi-
A Arms/Legs 2 8 +7 CR 1000/Limb2 dered to be 21 (L).
B Arms/Legs 3 or 4 9 +9 CR 1000/Limb2
C Arms/Legs 5+ 9 +10 CR 1000/Limb2 6. PROGRAMMING
D Wheels 1 or 2 4 +4 CR 50/Wheef3 The robot's URP Programming Code is equal to one-half
E Wheels 3 or 4 3 +6 CR 50/WheeP (round fractions up) of the programs presently stored in the
F Wheels 5+ 4 +7 CR 50/Wheef3 computer brain. The hexidecimalletter system is still usedfor
G Combination. (See below) , numbers above 9. Thus, a robot with 8 points of programming "--" '
1 -
For plugging into other robots, computers, termi- stored would have a Programming Code of 4, and one with 21
nals, and so on (mainly used for transmission of informa- points of programming stored would have a Code of B, and so
tion or energy). on. If more than 72 points of programming are stored (8 highly
2 -
Modify by the Size Cost Modifier as for the rest of unlikely occurrence, and only possible in a robot with artificial
48 AUGUST 1982
j
-- ,1
intelligence), the Programming Code is considered to be Z. considered to havethis program naturally. Program Capacity
The robot's Education Code is also based on tl)e programs PointCost:2.Cost:CR 20000.Tech Level: 12 (C).
presently stored in it, and is determined in the same manner as
the Programming Code. However, a robot's Education Code 68. AttributeControl Programs
cannot exceed 21 (L), so if it has 41 or more points of program- These programscan be usedto increasesomeof a robot's
ming, its Education Code is automatically L. basic characteristics(allof themexcept for Intelligenceand
Education, which are based on programming anyway). Speci-
'--' 6A. Basic Command a Vocabulary Programs fications for each of the four types of programs in this group are
Basic Vocabulary: Allows the robot to speak and understand as follows:
one language for each "loading" of the program. The language Strength can be increased a maximum of 2 points, with a
must, of course, be specified for each application of the pro- Program Capacity Point Cost of 1 for each point of extra
gram. Audio sensors are required for the robot to hear the Strength desired and a Cost of CR 800 per point of increase.
language, and speakers are required for it to be able to emit This program is Tech Level9.
sounds in that language. Program Capacity Point Cost: 1 per Dexterity can be increased a maximum of 4 points, with a
application. Cost: CR 5000 per application. Tech Level: 8. Program Capacity Point Cost of 1 per point and a Cost of CR
Basic Command: Allows the robot to understand and obey 750 per point. Tech Level 8.
simple, one-word commands- "Come"; "Go"; "Bring"; and so Endurance can be increased a maximumof 3 points, with a
-
on in as many as three different languages for each applica- Program Capacity Point Cost of 1 per point and a Cost of CR
tion of the program. It does not require Basic Vocabulary (in 1000 per point. Tech Level 9.
fact, the loading of that program makes this one obsolete), but Social Standing (considered to be training in protocol, eti-
does require audio sensors. Program Capacity Point Cost: 1 quette, and the like) can be increased a maximumof 6 points,
per application. Cost: CR 3000 per application. Tech Level: 7. with a Program Capacity Point Cost of 0.5 (round fractions up)
Advanced Command: Allows the robot to understand and per point and a Cost of CR 500 per point. Tech Level 8.
obey complicated instructions such as "Call me if another ship
appears or if we get too close to a planet." Requires the Basic 60. Skill Programming
Vocabulary program and audio sensors. Program Capacity These programs enable a robot to perform skills at various
Point Cost: 1. Cost: CR 4000. Tech Level: 9. levels,just like a human character; a robot can have Pilot-2;
AdvancedReasoning & Ego: Allows the' robot to do things Gunnery-1; Medical-3; and so on. Robots incur the usual
independently and act on its own initiative (though it will usual- penalty of five when using a weapon they do not have skill with.
ly obey its master), and gives it a self-preservation instinct. It The costs, Tech Level, and other characteristics of these
takes the place of Basic Command or Advanced Command, skills must be set by the referee, since there are far too many to
anddoes not require Basic Vocabulary (although the robot will list here, but the Program Capacity Cost will always be 1 point
doubtless have this program as well so that it can communicate per level of skill in each skill. The average cost will be between
verbally). It is the closest thing to artificial Intelligence below CR 500 and CR 1000 (for a skill level of 1). and the average Tech
Tech Level H, and all robots with artificial Intelligence are Level will be 7 to 9. As a rule of thumb, skills involving the use of
a technological weapon or vehicle will be one Tech Level Tech
higher than that of the device in question. The minimum Tech Feature Cost Level
Level for implementation of any of these programs is 6. Visual sensors (eyes) SOO/eye' 7
The cost of each program increases by an increment of 25% Telescopic eyes (about 50x) 1000/eye' 8
plus the base cost for each level of skill beyond the first. Thus, a IR or LI eyes +250/eye' 9
skill which costs CR 1000 for level 1 would cost CR 2250 for Audio sensors (ears) 250/ear2 6
level 2 (1000 + 1250), CR 3750 for level 3 (1000 + 1250 + 1500), Increased-sensitivity ears3 +2oo/ear2 7 "-"
CR 5500 for level 4 (1000 + 1250 + 1500 + 1750), and so'on. Olfactory sensors (nose) 1500' 9
Examples of how some skills might be rated are given below: Taste sensors 1750' 9
Program/Skill Cost Tech Program/Skill Cost Tech Touch sensors 1500 + 200/Size Code' 9
Pilot 1000 10 Medical 1200 8 Voder (speaker) 5002 8
Ship's Boat 800 8 Survival 900 8 Built-in weaponry Weapon cost +20%
Vacc Suit 500 8 Jack-of- Trades 1500 9 Built-in armor Armor cost +10%
Fwd Obsv 800 8 Gambling 1000 8 Built-in lights 30/Light 5
Gun Combat 750 6-10+ Brawling 800 7 Gravpads 10000 12
Blade Combat 750 6 Vehicle 800 6+ Hover-vents 5000 9
Gunnery 800 8-10+ Tactics 1200 9 Electrical protection circuit 2001 7
Mechanical 900 7 Administration 800 7 '-Includes all costs for necessary circuitry and so on.
Electronic 900 7 Steward 800 7 2 - Includes all costs for necessary circuitry and so on.
Engineering 1000 8 Streetwise 1000 8 Note that these items require the appropriate Basic
Computer 1000 8+ Forgery 1200 8 Command and/or Basic Vocabulary programs to be of
Navigation 1250 10 Bribery 1250 9 much use.
Demolitions 850 8 Combat Engineer 1000 8 3 - A robot with these audio sensors cannot be sur-
Instruction 1000 8 Interrogation 800 8 prised in most normal situations. '