Robots, also called automatons, drones, and numerous other terms, are mechanical systems created by humans to carry out a large variety of tasks. Robots are not living creatures and do not have souls or truly independent thought, though the more complex their programming is, the more lifelike and intelligent their actions can seem, especially if they are programmed with the intention of seeming lifelike.
Physical Description
Robots range in size from microscopic to much larger than any living creature, and come in all shapes and configurations depending on their designated purpose. They are normally constructed out of a chassis of metal, plastic, or other durable material and contain a few systems common to all of them:
Control Systems
The control system of a robot can be likened to the brain of a living being -- it is the part that determines the robot's behavior. Control systems are in actuality computers which contain the robot's programming, and encompass both the software (the code itself) and the hardware (the circuits, processing units, memory, etc.). Resources such as gold, copper, plastics, textiles, glass, and crystals are all used in their construction, and any fault in this component's construction can lead to erratic behavior.
Sensors
Sensors are how a robot gathers information about the world around it, and can be likened to the senses of a living creature -- sight, sound, taste, touch, smell, and so on. Common sensors include cameras, microphones, thermometers, lasers, and pressure plates. Since a robot uses these to decide what to do, bad or incomplete data can also lead to erratic behavior, such as bumping into a wall over and over thinking it's an open doorway.
Effectors
Effectors are the parts of the robot that interacts with the world directly, and are usually the most noticeable part of a robot. They include arms, legs, hands, wheels, tools, and lights, but the category also includes how the robot moves itself. Hydraulics, pneumatics, and simple motors are all common methods of movement for a robot. Damage to these systems lead to malfunctions where a robot can't perform the task it's programmed for.
Functions
Robots aren't easily categorized by physical appearance or ability, but they can be categorized by complexity as well as what they do.
Industrial Robots
These robots are found in factories, and are used for repetitive manufacturing tasks. They are relatively simple and run completely off of pre-programmed instructions.
Medical Robots
Medical robots are normally found in hospitals and clinics, and include robots that perform surgery (either routine, aiding a surgeon, or controlled by a surgeon), robots that help with physical rehab, robots that perform medical diagnostics, and robots that can hold conversations with bored patients. These are sometimes quite advanced, depending on their role.
Domestic Robots
Domestic robots perform household chores such as vacuuming, cleaning gutters, feeding pets, doing laundry, etc. Domestic robots are usually very simple and cheaply made, though luxury robot butlers do exist for those that dislike hiring real people or using androids.
Entertainment Robots
This category includes robots that have no purpose except for recreation. They include toys, novelties, props for performances, and showbots.
Military Robots
Military robots include small flying drones for reconnaissance, robots for the disposal of bombs, and robots that can carry equipment over rough terrain like a pack animal, as well as ones built specifically for combat with humans. Usually durable and efficient, these robots tend to have autonomous capabilities and are therefore more advanced than usual, but are kept rather simple to avoid problems with decision-making (unfortunately for their targets). Many robots originally used for military applications are also used in law enforcement.
Homemade Robots
This category includes both anything made just for fun, and anything made by a single person on their own. Many robots constructed in Navroya's undercity and used by criminal organizations are of this variety, and tend to be garishly painted and equipped with pointy bits and guns.
Generally, if a robot is humanoid, it is capable of making its own decisions, and usually able to follow verbal commands.
Creation and Power
Robots are usually created by other robots on an assembly line, though it's possible to put one together by hand. Because they can be very complicated pieces of machinery and can contain equally complicated programming, more advanced robots are usually created only by skilled organizations such as corporations or research groups.
Robots are powered by electrical energy on Acetate, and though it's possible to operate a machine with steam, mechanical energy, or something else, these forms of energy are not able to power the control systems which make a robot a robot. Sources of power and battery life for robots changes from model to model, and include charging from electrical outlets, burning gasoline, solar energy, and high-tech fuel cells (which are also used to power cybernetics).
Examples of Robots
Solcorp Lightrunner -- A bipedal delivery robot, guaranteed to deliver what you need delivered, without delay. Useful for delivering physical mail on the street, in the office, or anywhere else. Comes with a fashionable hat and uniform for only 50 aces extra.
Dynacorp TriageMaster 580 -- A specialized medical robot designed for ERs and field hospitals which can assist with the prioritization of patient care. Locomotion options include legs, wheels, and treads for muddy terrain.
Skyline Excavator 39b -- An automated mining robot that goes the places your miners can't. Comes with explosive gas detection capabilites, drills capable of grinding down the toughest rock, and an exterior guaranteed to take a beating.
KILLBOT 9000 -- A junker made in a Navroyan garage by the Rust Roaches gang. Unable to fit through doorways, but has cool spikes all over it, and circular saws for hands. And a flamethrower coming from its mouth. Badass!
Davies Technologies BX-354 -- A spider-like window-washing robot that attaches to the sides of skyscrapers with microfiber adhesive pads. Solar powered, and stays in small bays installed inconspicuously within the sides of the buildings.
Consolidated Globotechnics Swarmer -- A tiny, bug-like robot that operates in large swarms, sharing computing power through a wireless network. It works together with the others to [CLASSIFIED].