The Robobrain or the "147c Robot"[1] is a robot appearing throughout the Fallout Series. It was constructed by General Atomics International and utilizes an organic brain as its central processor.[2][3] They appear in Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Automatron, Far Harbor, and Fallout 76.
Background[edit]
Robobrains were developed before the war by General Atomics International under the leadership of Doctor Bert Riggs.[2][4] Development of the robobrain was the first time General Atomics produced a successful union between organic matter and robotics.[5] Research and production took place in facilities operated by General Atomics, RobCo Industries, and the US Army Robotics Division, including Sierra Army Depot, RB-2851, and under the RobCo Sales & Service Center.[6] Several models were created, first using chimpanzee brains.[7][8][Pub 1] Each improvement provided superior upgrades to the robot, including increased energy efficiency, maintaining brain longevity, improved visual cortex connections to enhance motor skills and perception, and tactical combat capabilities.[9]
General Atomics intended to use the human brain to augment the robot's functions, accelerate the decision-making process, and to follow orders without question.[10] Candidates for brain extraction were found in military and civilian prisons, focusing on adults of high intelligence and sufficient constitution to survive brain removal.[11][12] Low intelligence, mental disorders, or general poor brain health resulted in termination of the brain.[13][14][15] Robobrains with an IQ below 80 were considered defective and disposed of at the Robotics Disposal Ground.[16] A successful candidate would have their brain removed and further analyzed to ensure suitability.[17] If the reconditioning was successful, the brain was placed into the Biomed Gel and attached to the robotic chassis.[18] The removal process prevented personality retention.[19] Additional research into improving the process of extracting and isolating human brains was made at the St. Aubin Medical Facility in Point Lookout, but the robot never reached full production.[7]
Design[edit]
The chassis has a tracked platform, a case containing a human brain preserved in Biomed Gel, and extendable manipulators capable of operating weapons and tools. If the brain casing is ruptured, brain wave activity is interrupted, the brain connection fails, and the robot will shut down.[20]
The robots have a neural inhibitor and a voice modulator that interfaces with the neural matrix.[21] The voice modulators allow robobrains to mimic any normal human voice, including their original voice.[22] Maintaining original voices helps reinforce the robot's neural network.[22][23]
Regular tune-ups were required to maintain emotional regulation.[21] The robot is equipped with damage sensors, servos, rotator mechanisms, and retractor circuits.[24] The power systems included an auto gyro, circuits, hydralic pressure, secondary relays, backup systems, and restrictor coils.[25] The brain is used as a control and data storage unit, which is more efficient than using standard circuits.[5]
The robots can see their surroundings using optical relays.[26] The system includes lenses, infrared sensors, imaging scanners, targeting systems, and auto tracking.[26] Blasts from robobrains can be fatal or non-fatal.[27]
Robobrains have a combat mode that calculates combat odds and battle events, including computing threat levels, scanning enemy capabilities, and determining optimal attack ranges.[28][29] It will adjust its tactics, recalibrate targeting sensors, and correct firing data.[30] If the robot determines it is in danger, it will engage its self preservation programming and attempt to flee.[31]
Software used by robobrains include Sensors '76, Facility Maintenance v2.1, Movement v4.8b, Repair v0.8a, Pest Control v1.4, and Hearts v1.0.[32] The programs allowed the robots to reroute functions from damaged subsystems.[33]
Variants[edit]
By Appearance[edit]
Named[edit]
Notes[edit]
- In Automatron and Fallout 76, Robobrains have a single eye inside the glass dome.
- In Old World Blues, splicing a Lobotomite and a Robot at the X-8 Research Center will yield a Robobrain.
Quotes[edit]
- "You could run? I'm trying to kill you, you know."
- "Please believe me when I say I'm not enjoying this."
- "I calculate your chance of success to be...well, I don't want to be morbid..."
- "I'm not programmed to fail, just so you know..."
- "They could have programmed me to love, to forgive; but noooooo."
- "Please come back. I'm sorry about all that recent unpleasantness."
- "I'm sorry, but my programming requires that I keep on trying to kill you!"
- "Which do you like better? The psionic beam or the laser?"
- "I hope we can still be friends when this is all over."
- "I'll miss you."
- "You may want to run now."
- "Are you still there?"
- "Why are you hiding? I will find you."
- "Oh well. I wished you hadn't left so soon. I was having such a good time with you."
- "I'll miss you. Please come back and see me again."
- "I'm sorry, but you've forced me to utilize deadly force."
- "I'm afraid I'm a very lethal killing machine."
- "There's no point in trying to hide from me. I'm programmed to be quite relentless."
- "Oh well. Maybe next time you'll introduce yourself."
- "Threat detected! Kill! Kill! Kill!"
Appearances[edit]
Robobrains appear in Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Automatron, Far Harbor, and Fallout 76.
Behind the Scenes[edit]
- Chris Taylor stated that the brains were taken from criminals.[Dev 1]
- The Fallout Bible states that some military prisoners had "their brains scooped for use in brain bots."[Dev 2]
- Robobrains were also planned to appear in Van Buren.[Doc 1][Doc 2]
Gallery[edit]
Robobrain in Fallout and Fallout 2
Robobrain render in Fallout and Fallout 2
Robobrain in Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas
Masterbrain in Fallout 3
U.S. Army Robobrain in Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas
Outcast Robobrain in Fallout 3
Enclave Robobrain in Fallout 3
Brotherhood of Steel Robobrain in Fallout 3
Robobrain parts
Robobrain in Fallout 4 and Fallout 76
A Robobrain, as shown on the Electric Absorption perk card
As seen on Electric Absorption
MTG Card
Robobrain War Mind Card
- Concept Art
Fallout 3 concept art by Adam Adamowicz
References[edit]
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- ↑ Fallout 2 Official Strategies & Secrets p. 33: "The Robobrain is a jack-of-all-trades robot. They have hands and are usually armed with assault rifles. The chimpanzee, or other primate, brain that was implemented into them makes them excellent guard robots. It's rumored that some were set up to accept human brains, but this has never been proven."
- ↑ Vault13.net Interview with Chris Taylor
- ↑ Fallout Bible 0: "2077 October: Captain Roger Maxson and his men discover that the scientists at Mariposa have been using "military volunteers" (military prisoners who didn't have their brains scooped for use in Brain Bots) as test subjects in their experiments. Morale in the base breaks down, and Maxson executes Anderson, the chief scientist. Not long after this (and in light of the breakdown of the mental breakdown of Colonel Spindel stationed at the base), Maxson's men turn to him for leadership. He shrugs and says "we should quit.""
