AI, robots, androids, yes those mechanical things

[malika]

Ive noticed Ive been whining a bit for somebody to start a thread about this...so what if I did it myself

In the Occult thread we kind of delved into the idea of having "robotic" shells being possessed by spirits. But what about an actual robot which has its own mind, hence artificial intelligence. Has the idea of an artificial human/lifeform ever occured in those times already? Metropolis kind of has it, but is there more fiction (or even real attempts) at creating an artificial lifeform?

Perhaps they could be a cool unit for the Americans and/or Russians. The Germans would have their spirit possessed warriors while the allies have robots. Is it a plausible idea or am I going a bit too far into this?

[xeoran]

Well I think a limited robot computer brain might work. Full AI though is very complex and as we cant even make them now...I think the Russians anyway wouldnt be able to use this tech. They were very behind with computers (in fact the only computer in the world was from 1944 onwards in Britain and it took up space the size of a warehouse!)

[Darkson]

You are now diving into a topic that is being worked on "Behind the Scenes". Robots/Androids will be an American exclusive concept. Thats about all I am going to say right now on this subject . Feel free to post photos of cool looking bots here. Think Man sized.

Cheers,
Robert

[malika]

Hmm, my own idea was something bigger than a man, but still humanoid. Look at:


Or what about:

[Darkson]

The first one is the style I am looking for. You nailed it right on the nose. ;D

[skorzeny]

Really like that top one. It screams 1950's bot, or one of the mechanical men you'd find on old pulp magazine covers. Even though Maria is older than that, she still seems too elegant, if you will, for the time period.

[xeoran]

Agreement with Skorenzy. That first one is perfect!

[malika]

Perhaps we should also take a look at that robot "dog" from Half Life 2 and those robots from Matriculated (episode of Animatrix)

[xeoran]

Hmm, never heard of either so I'll be looking into that. Robot dogs would be cool....

[malika]

The robot isnt a dog, well he doesnt look like a dog but his intelligence and character is that of a dog.

[skorzeny]

I don't know, I think WWII era robots should be big and clunky. A robot dog sounds a bit too refined and, eh, 'svelte' to fit with the general feel of the pulp era. It's a good idea, but not one I'm sure would be fitting to the setting. Besides, it could be construed as too similar to GW's cybermastiffs (though to be fair, GW has taken inspiration from just about everything under the sun).

[xeoran]

Oh, OK Malika.

@skorenzy, I think a 5ft tall neo-robot dog would be cool. Make it big and chunky, give it a radio controller (who sits on the battlefield and controls it) and let it go...

Of course sticking robotic bits on Dogs would be cool too (metal claws and a huge metal jaw- think the Ork Nobz jaw from 40K)

[malika]

skorzeny said:

I don't know, I think WWII era robots should be big and clunky. A robot dog sounds a bit too refined and, eh, 'svelte' to fit with the general feel of the pulp era. It's a good idea, but not one I'm sure would be fitting to the setting. Besides, it could be construed as too similar to GW's cybermastiffs (though to be fair, GW has taken inspiration from just about everything under the sun).

No you misunderstood me, the robot will keep the design like the pic I posted, just its character and intellect are that of a dog.

[xeoran]

I think Skorenzy was referring to my idea of an actual robot dog. But I'm not sure, have to ask the man and see.

[skorzeny]

Ah, I was thinking about an actual dog-shaped design. A dog-level degree of intelligence would seem about right for a pulp-era robot. I keep picturing Bela Lugosi's mechanical man from 'The Phantom Creeps' which was perfectly capable of clobbering multiple enemies, but couldn't understand that you stop walking when something is in your way - you don't smash through it and keep on going.