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Humanoid Combat Robots?; Would an AI make them?
Topic Started: Oct 20 2010, 04:05 AM (468 Views)
Sykoholic
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Village Idiot
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I've recently started putting together a "robot" force and found myself in need of foot soldiers. My first thought was, of course, Copplestone/EM4 not-Terminators. However, I started over-thinking (as I am prone to do) this and began to question... if there were a super-genius, self-aware, AI that hates human, would that AI actually design and build a humanoid robot soldier? It is a super-genius after all with unlimited resources. Couldn't it R&D a soldier that, from a design stand-point of efficiency and effectiveness, was superior to a humanoid form. If so, what would this new "form" look like?

The floor is now open for discussion/debate.

:robot:
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Mr. Clean
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Wasteland Legend/Cat Skinner/Bad Speller/Super Nice Guy B^)
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You make my brain hurt!

Brian
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Sykoholic
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I seem to have that effect on people... myself included.
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tinker
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CEO of "Rat-on-a-Stick" Industries
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I suspect until it becomes self aware the AI would replicate it's "Master". Once it becomes self aware then it would create whatever design is most effective for the task at hand... from NanoBugs to the Ogre Tanks of Steve Jackson Games.

The machine would take advantage of human weaknesses... crying babies that become rippers, Terminators, any animals with doe eyes, Relicants of killed individuals. Maybe even a robotic Bunker where humans think they can hide in to only find out it's a great big wood chipper.

How about taking on human fears with Robotic Zombies, robots wearing the flesh of their kills, and Hideous creatures.

I have read that the Military in the US has studies in the application of robots recharging their power supplies by devouring flesh.
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Mr. Clean
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Tinker-DUDE,you scare me a little,wood chippers and stuff....................man........

Brian

Edited by Mr. Clean, Oct 20 2010, 04:54 AM.
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RavenFeast
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Mutant Hunter
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Humanoid robots can take advantage of the resources and navigate obstacles found in human civilization: guns, ammo, vehicles, tools, chairs, doors, stairs, etc. And then there's the scary/cool factor.

Their ultimate shape if humanoid is not an option: nanites. Deconstruct your opponents at a cellular level and use their own bodies to generate more microscopic nanites. Entire swarms can be seeded with ICBMs or even "crop dusted" by simple drones. No feeding, no maintenance, no muss, no fuss.

The game would be something like this:

Turn 1:
Humans move troops and automatically miss with any attack attempt.
Nanites get a 1-second burst of gray spray paint. Anything that gets hit by paint is automatically removed from play.

Turn 2:
Humans move remaining troops with same attack results.
Nanites get 2 1-second bursts of gray spray paint. Anything that gets hit by paint is automatically removed from play.

Turn 3:
Humans move remaining troops, if any.
Nanites get 4 1-second bursts of gray spray paint. Anything that gets hit by paint is automatically removed from play.

Turn 4:
Humans move remaining troops, if any, though unlikely.
Nanites get 8 1-second bursts of gray spray paint. Anything that gets hit by paint is automatically removed from play.

Etc.

Not much fun, but does illustrate the "gray goo" apocalypse.
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Mr. Clean
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OUCH!
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Sykoholic
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Quote:
 
....Steve Jackson Games.


While not necessarily OGRE, I am using SJG's "Reign of Steel" as a base for the setting. Even if you're not into GURPS or even RPGs, its still a damn good read.

Quote:
 
Their ultimate shape if humanoid is not an option: nanites.


Ah yes.... cyber-swarms and nanoburn... gotta remember to add those to my list of possible random encounters

Quote:
 
.....navigate obstacles found in human civilization.


Valid point. In order to effectively navigate an environment designed for humanoids, the robot itself would need to be humanoid. Tracked or wheeled robots wouldn't be able to climb stairs or fit down narrow hallways. Multi-legged robots could but their maneuverability would be greatly reduced. In order for a flying robot to do it, it would need to be so small (to maintain speed and mobility) that it's weapons and armor would be greatly reduced to the point of being almost ineffective.
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mattblackgod
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Big boss warlord dude!
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Aye that was the Daleks big downfall. How was I as a kid supposed to be afarid of something that couldn't climb stairs? Of course they have changed all that now.

Nanites would be a nasty way to fight.

Other thoughts are small hover drones like the ones in Half Life 3. These could infiltrate buildings. You would need a swarm of them to be effective, but they may scout for terminator style robots.

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Ross
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Big floating guns with robotic brains, I'd imagine a machine that's trying to make effecient weapons/minions would leave off alot of things that we as humans would add for asthetics. Two arms? Why, just wack the gun in the chest/shoulder... etc.
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