Rolf

			Memory 118

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Droids are automatons designed to function as assistants or servants, or to handle tasks too dangerous or menial for living beings. Some are designed in the likeness of their creators, while others are fashioned with respect to a particular job or environment. Sophisticated robots, droids have artificial intelligence and personalities to facilitate their occupations. Some are friendly and outgoing, others are rude and obnoxious. Many droids are even capable of personal development and growth over time, unless, of course, they are reprogrammed.

Depending on equipment and programming, droids may be designed to survive and function in hostile environments. Hard vacuum, extreme heat and cold, or watery depths are only a few of the areas droids regularly work in. The metallic skin of even common household types can withstand harsh environmental extremes, thus protecting the delicate inner circuitry.

Some droids, usually of the protocol class, are capable of speech, allowing direct communication with living beings. Certain droids interface with computer monitors and communicate with their masters via screen readouts. Most other classes and subclasses have their own unique language, usually a series of electronic beeps and whistles which they communicate with each other. All droids are programmed to understand at least one non-mechanical language, usually that of their master. Some may know hundreds of dialects, depending on their area of expertise and primary function. A few species have learned to understand basic droid languages after long associations with particular makes and models.

A power cell built into each droid provides energy to keep them running and must be recharged periodically. Depending on size, cost, and efficiency, power cells can operate for long periods of time without recharging, but most require power input every month. Some droids voluntarily shut down, when time and circumstances allow, to conserve energy and even make internal repairs.

Droids are classified by their primary functions:

• First-degree droids. Those skilled in physical, mathematical, or even medical sciences.

• Second-degree droids. Engineering and technical science functions.

• Third-degree droids. Those skilled in the social sciences and service areas such as translation, protocol, spaceport control, teaching, and diplomatic assistance.

• Fourth-degree droids. Security and military function droids.

• Fifth-degree droids. Those skilled in menial labor and other functions in which intelligence is not an important asset, including mining, salvage, transportation, and sanitation.

No matter what classification, each droid has basic capabilities common to all. These include locomotion, sensory reception, logic, manipulation, and some form of communication.

There are two major droid manufacturers in the Par'tha Expanse, Galactic Robotics and Duros Automation, and countless smaller corporations in immense droid industry. Each company offers unique designs, sometimes producing several different droid types within each market niche. Specific models can vary dramatically in terms of performance characteristics, specific mission programming or equipment, and, of course, cost.

As was stated, many droids are designed based on location and function, but some are at least humanoid in shape, if not appearance. Many of these possess high levels of artificial intelligence. It is unclear, or at least as yet undetermined, what exactly the differences are between Par'tha Expanse droids of this nature and known androids such as the ones from Mudd's World, or Soong-type androids.