Polybots are modular, reconfigurable, robotic platforms, capable of adopting a range of diverse tasks. While they often appear to have some characteristics of artificial life forms, they are not considered alive by most people.
Development
The polybot template arose from the need for a multi-purpose robotic platform which could perform a range of physical or computational tasks and utilise standardised spare parts.
Systems like the Penvos Robotics PRAISE Unit were the direct forerunners of the polybot; the modular, interchangeable design of the sensor equipment carried by every PRAISE led robotics engineers towards new ways of thinking about their design processes.
As so often happens, once one species began to use a technology which was effective and efficient, others followed suit. Polybot variations are now widespread throughout the galaxy.
Systems like the Penvos Robotics PRAISE Unit were the direct forerunners of the polybot; the modular, interchangeable design of the sensor equipment carried by every PRAISE led robotics engineers towards new ways of thinking about their design processes.
As so often happens, once one species began to use a technology which was effective and efficient, others followed suit. Polybot variations are now widespread throughout the galaxy.
Applications
Use in MedicinePolybots are ideal for use in medicine; not just in diagnostics but also in surgery. A single polybot is capable of carrying out a number of completely different tasks — in series or in parallel — and monitoring various different aspects of a patient's health simultaneously.
They are also able to work indefinitely, even in quarantine environments. A polybot worked on Maber Castigon at Fort Shalleon after he was recovered from Meccrace Prime, and another monitored his health in the brig of the ICS Disputer (→TRD). Vertical Divider
|
Use in WarfareThe Viskr Junta is renowned for its predilection for mechanised warfare, and that government adopted the idea of polybots as warriors very quickly. Fighting polybots are a nightmare for enemy ground troops, since they are fast, difficult to hit, and difficult to damage. They are also capable of scaling sheer surfaces, smashing barricades, and skewering up to four combatants at once.
Euryce Eilentes, Taliam Norskine, Rendir Throam, Elm Caden, and Bruiser all fought against a number of Viskr polybots during the Second Liberation of Mibes. They were lucky to survive the encounter (→LOTD). |