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Old 05-18-2020, 06:45 PM   #1
DataPacRat
 
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Default [Vehicles] Self-Propelled Backpack

A particular character plans on having a survivalist "go-bag", so that whatever happens to the infrastructure the ship or colony they're on, they'll be able to survive with their own resources for at least a couple of years. (Setting is roughly TL10, STL/interplanetary-scale, and for our purposes, lacks superscience.) Said character wants to take advantage of modern tech, so the go-bag can move on its own to stay near them, while being unobtrusive about it... and if they get knocked unconscious, at least stuff them into their vaccsuit and turn on its life-support. And, if possible, still work as a backpack, to be able to be carried with even more discretion than a backpack-sized bot scuttling around in the background.

Drawing on a bit of a mix of 4e and 3e stats, here's what I've got so far; any obvious improvements to be made?

* Contents:
- TL11 Survival Food Factory ($10k, 10 lbs, C/30 meals (360 kJ/meal), LC4; 10 meals' flavor additives, 0.5 lbs, $1).
- Light vacsuit (5.8 lbs, $7,460).
- Air-cycling pack (3e TL10 NPU, 0.2 kW, 1.2 lbs, 0.012 cf, $2k, 2 years; 3e TL11 Full Life System, 20 lbs, 1 cf, $500, 0.1 kW.).
- Solar recharger (3e: 10sf, 1 lb, $300, 0.8 kW at 1 AU; folding panel, 10 sf, 2 lbs, 0.04 cf, $50).
- Battery (C-cell, $10, 0.5 lbs).
- Misc: 9 lbs
- Total: 50 lbs

* Vacsuit: built as Pyramid 3-96 armor; lightest possible emergency vaccsuit, TL10: Full Coverage (21.35 sf), Bioplas, DR 15 (vs pierc/cut, DR 5 vs other), Optimized Fabric: 3.8 lbs, $4,800; flexible (don in 4 seconds), concealable (can be disguised as swimwear, lingerie, other diaphonous clothing), Radiation PF 0.5. Transparent visor, 0.7 sf. Sealed, +$110. Waste-Relief System, +$500. Extended Life-Support System, $2k, 1 lbs. Air Supply, Tiny Tank (15 minutes recycled into 15 hours), $50, 0.5 lbs. Power Pack, 1 C cell (18 hours), 0.5 lb. Total 5.8 lbs, $7,460.

* Go-Bag Robot: 3e Robots/Vehicles
* Body subassembly; volume 1 cf, 6 sf, 2 hp
- Cargo Space, 1 cf, capacity 50 lbs
* Legs(4) subassemblies: volume 0.15 cf each leg, 1.69 sf ea, 1 hp ea
-- Total space in all 4 legs: 0.6 cf
-- Subassemblies, spread between 4 legs: total used 0.105 cf
- Drivetrain, Legs, 0.03 kW: 0.9 lbs, 0.018 cf, $45
- Tiny Robot Brain, 0.05 lbs, 0.01 cf, $200
- Basic Robot Sensors (Night Vision, No Sense of Smell/Taste), 0.4 lbs, 0.008 cf, $2,025
- Basic Robot Communicator: 0.25 lbs, 0.005 cf, $125
- Mini-Flashlight: 0.125 lbs, 0.005 cf, $4
- Inertial Compass: 0.25 lbs, 0.005 cf, $62.50
- Advanced Battery, rD cell: 5 lbs, 0.05 cf, $15, 3,600 kJ (33h20m of walking)
- Radar, AESA, range 0.1 miles: 0.075 lbs, 0.0015 cf, $125, 0.025 kW
- PESA, range 0.25 miles: 0.125 lbs, 0.0025 cf, $500
- Burglar Alarm: $600
- Suction Pads: $800
- Improved Suspension: $676
-- Empty space, total 0.495 cf (0.12375 cf each leg)
* Shoulder straps: 2 Arm Subassemblies: 0.012 cf ea, 0.31 sf ea
- 2 * Arms, ST 3 (2-handed lift: 75 lbs), extra-flexible: 0.6 lbs, 0.012 cf, $1200, 0.015 kW, ea
* Structure: total 1.624 cf (floatation rating 101.5 lbs), 14 sf, TL10, Extra-Light, Expensive Materials: 5.25 lbs, $700
* Surface
- Armor, open-frame, advanced laminate, DR 1: 0.28 lbs [0.00093 cf], $28
- Armor, nonrigid, DR 6: 1.68 lbs [0.0336 cf], $168
- Sealed: $560
- Modest Sound Baffling (-3): 3.5 lbs, $175
- Liquid Crystal Skin: 0.7 lbs, $140
* Total: Loaded Weight 59.385 lbs, $9,348.50
. gSpeed: 13 mph, gAccel 4 mph/s, gDecel 20 mph/s, gMR 1.75 Gs, gSR 4, off-road speed full
. wSpeed 1 mph, draft 3.12 inches
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Old 05-18-2020, 08:35 PM   #2
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Default Re: [Vehicles] Self-Propelled Backpack

I think I don't want this as gear so much as I want to make it my next sci-fi PC: A robot go-bag whose owner is dead.
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Old 05-18-2020, 09:42 PM   #3
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Default Re: [Vehicles] Self-Propelled Backpack

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dustin View Post
I think I don't want this as gear so much as I want to make it my next sci-fi PC: A robot go-bag whose owner is dead.
Feel free; I once cobbled together a mailman-themed recolour of WALL-E (DAN-E: "Deliver Anywhere Nearby, Earth-Class") for similar boxy-carryall-robotic shenanigans. :)
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Old 05-19-2020, 07:56 AM   #4
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Default Re: [Vehicles] Self-Propelled Backpack

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Originally Posted by DataPacRat View Post
Feel free; I once cobbled together a mailman-themed recolour of WALL-E (DAN-E: "Deliver Anywhere Nearby, Earth-Class") for similar boxy-carryall-robotic shenanigans. :)
In case anyone's interested, I dug up my old notes thereon:

** DAN-E
Robot type: Deliver Anywhere Nearby, Earth-Class: DAN-E. BnL didn't spend lots of money inventing the WALL-E chassis from scratch, they just took one of their existing designs and slapped a trash compactor into it. Most of DAN-E's boxy torso is taken up with a modular slot; the original specs called for an empty volume to hold either a pile of letters and parcels, or a battery for those more rural deliveries. Other than usually being painted mailman-blue instead of garbage-truck yellow, and WALL-E having a little more junk in the trunk (ahem), the two designs are nearly indistinguishable.

Pushup:
https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...940/Walle1.jpg
Partial parts list:
https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...292/Walle2.jpg
Basic 3d render:
https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...389/Walle4.jpg
Sketch:
https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...985/Walle6.jpg

Folded-up dimensions: about 18" across
Standing normally: 3'4" tall
Target weight with trash compacter module: 270 lbs


GURPS stats:

* "Body": Assembly: 3.4 cf, 14 sf, 41.7 lbs, Body hp 42.
. Small Computer, Neural-Net, Robot Brain, Ruggedized: 3 lbs, 0.06 cf, $4500, 0.001 kW, Complexity 2, IQ 6, DX 9, LC 6. DR 2, 2 hp.
. Basic Robot Communicator, Disturbing Voice (synthesized), No Cable Jack: 0.9 lb, 0.018 cf, $200, 0.5 hp, LC 6
. Power Cells: 1 rE cell: 20 lbs, 0.2 cf, $2,000, 180,000 kJ
. Solar Cells: 2 sf: 0.2 lb, $60, 0.08 kW
. Retractable Solar Panel: 2 sf, super-light: 1.6 lbs, $20, DR 2, 1 hp, 0.036 cf.
. Tracked Drivetrain, 1 kW: 15 lbs, 0.3 cf, $300, LC 6, DR 5, 3 hp
. Speaker: 1 lb, 0.2 cf, $225
. 2.04 cf: Leg retraction space / Cargo Space / Modular Socket capacity 2 cf, capacity 100 lbs. $1k.
. Cargo Space: 0.161 cf
. Head rotation/retraction space: 0.0625*1.2= 0.075 cf
. Arm retraction Space: 0.04+0.04=0.08 cf
. vEx2: Armor Volume: 0.03 cf
* "Legs": 2.04 cf, 10 sf
. Motive subassembly: Tracks, 2.04 cf, 10 sf, hp 30 per track
. vEx2: Smart Tracks: breakdown as wheels, any loss of 3+ hp jams track on 1 in 6, don't damage roads. $800.
. Improved Suspension: $1k
> Mecha: transformable: legs are retractable
* "Head": Turret: Full Rotation: 0.0625 cf, 1.5 sf, 3 lbs, 5 hp
. G:Robots Laser Torch, Light, Concealed: Dmg 1d-2 Imp, SS 9, Acc 1, 1/2D Rng 2y, Max Rng 10y, Wt 0.5 lbs, Vol 0.025 cf, RoF 4*, Shots 30 kJ each, $100, LC 6, DR 5, 1 hp
. Basic Robot Sensors, Telescopic Zoom 1, No Sense of Smell/Taste: 2 lbs, 0.04 cf, $9k, LC 6, DR 2, 1 hp
* "Left Arm": 0.04 cf, 1 sf, 20 lbs, 6 hp
. Arm Motor, ST 5, Extendable: 20 lbs, 0.04 cf, $4k, 0.025 kW, DR 5, 1 hp
> Mecha: transformable structure: arms are retractable
* "Right Arm": 0.04 cf, 1 sf, 20 lbs, 6 hp
. Arm Motor, ST 5, Extendable: 20 lbs, 0.04 cf, $4k, 0.025 kW, DR 5, 1 hp
> Mecha: transformable structure: arms are retractable
* "Surface": 144.375 lbs
. Total surface area: 14+10+1.5+1+1 = 27.5 sf
. Structure: 27.5 sf, TL8, Medium strength, Expensive materials, Robotic, (Mecha) transformable with two configurations
> Configuration one: "Robot": Head, arms, legs/tracks unfolded
> Configuration two: "Box": Head, arms, legs/tracks retracted
. 27.5*4*1*1*1.2 = 132 lbs
. 27.5*50*1*1*2*2 = $5,500
. Body Hit Points: 14 * 1.5 = 21
. Armor: Metal, standard, 28.5 sf, cannot wear human body armor, DR 3, PD 2, LC 6: 12.375 lbs, $247.50, 0.03 cf
. Waterproof: $57, LC 6
. Appearance: Attractive: $275
* Whole vehicle:
. TL8
. Streamlining: None
. Slope: None
. Total Weight: 41.7+3+20+20+144.375 = 229.075 lbs
. Size modifier: +0
. Structural HT: (200 * 21 / 229.075) + 5 = 23, capped at 12
. Body ST: (1 - (229.075/2000))*80 = 71, capped at 42
. One door, running lights
. Total cost: $32,609.50
. LC 6
. Maintenance Interval: 4 hours work for every 109.6 hours activity, or about once every seven 16-hour days.
* Power usage:
. Drivetrain: 1 kW (60 kJ for 1 min at 35 mph, 24 kJ for 1 min at 20 mph)
. Arms: 0.05 kW (2880 kJ/16h)
. Computer: 0.001 kW (86.4 kJ/day)
. Routine Poewr Requirement: 1.051 kW
. Solar cell: provides 0.08 kW

* Tracks power: 1 kW (usually run at 0.4 kW, 20 mph)
. gSpeed: 35 mph (17 yards/second)
. gAccel: 2 mph/s
. gDecel: 20 mph/s
. gSR: 4
. gMR: 1.25
. Ground contact area: 2 sf
. Ground pressure: 270/2 = 135 lbs/sf, Extremely Low.
. Off-road speed: Full.

* Floatation rating: 62.5 lbs/cf * 3.4 cf = 212.5, cannot float

GURPS Robots character stats:
. Robot Brain, Neural Net [170]
. Telescopic Zoom 1 [6]
. No Sense of Smell/Taste [-5]
. Basic Communicator's Radio [10]
. Disturbing Voice [-10]
. Extendable Arms [15]
. Built-in LC 6 weapon [5]
. Endurance, 47.5 hours [0]
. DR 3 [9]
. PD 2 [50]
. Attractive [5]
. Body ST 42 [181]
. Arm ST 5 [-110.5]
. DX 9 [-10]
. IQ 6 [-30]
. HT 12/42 [170]
. Speed 17 [30]
. Cannot Float [-5]
. total so far: [480.5]
. Cannot masquerade as human: above total /5
* Model Point Cost: [96]



* Some Possible Modules:
(Module cost: Components *1.2.)
- [Original Wall-E module: Trash Compactor (based on 4e SSp7, Digestive System (crushing), rescaled to ~SM+1.2): 40 lbs, dmg 2d6+1 crushing over 20 seconds, $200*1.2=$240, capacity 8 lbs, 40 kW, 800 kJ for 20-second compaction]
- Power Cells, 5 rE-cells: 100 lbs, 1 cf, $10k*1.2=$12k. 900,000 kJ
- Winch, ST 40: 100 lbs, 2 cf, $800*1.2=$960, 0.2 kW, 40-yard cable.
- Cargo: Provisions, 8 man-days: 96 lbs, 1.92 cf, $48
- Fuel Tank, 13 gallons, Self-Sealing: 6.5 lbs, 1.95 cf, $130, Fire -3
- Water, 13 gal: 110.5 lbs
- Gasoline, 13 gal: 78 lbs, $9, Fire 11-3=8
- Alcohol, 13 gal: 75.4 lbs, $6.50, Fire 10-3=7
- Fire-extinguisher-foam cannon, light (80 shots), concealed: Malf Crit, Dmg 4d6 knockback (human target: 8 dmg = 1 hex), SS 5, Acc 8, 1/2D Rng 40y, Max Rng 56y, Wt 40 lbs, 2 cf, RoF 8, $1k. 80 shots foam: $40, 340 lbs
- Water cannon, heavy (unconcealed) (0 shots, must be hooked to water main): Malf Crit, Dmg 4d6 knockback, SS 5, Acc 10, 1/2D Rng 80y, Max Rng 120y, Wt 80 lbs, 1.6 cf, RoF 8, $2k
- Mower, 2 acres/hour: 100 lbs, 2 cf, $500, 4 kW
- Wood-burning engine: Sextuple-expansion external combustion engine, 1 kW: 88 lbs, 1.76 cf, $123.20, fuel 0.015 cf/hr Coal or 0.06 cf/hr Wood; Solid Fuel Bunker, 0.24 cf, 1.2 lbs, $0.20: 0.2 cf coal/wood. Coal, 0.2 cf: 10 lbs, $0.20, 13h20m. Wood, 0.2 cf: 6 lbs, $0.04, 3h20m.
- Multifuel-burning engine: TL8 turbocharged ceramic engine, 5.8 kW: 21.6 lbs, 0.432 cf, $259.20, Fuel Use 0.174 gph gas/diesel/avgas or 0.2088 gph alcohol. Snorkel (10 yards): 0.216 lb, 0.00432 cf, $2.592. Fuel Tank, Ultralight, Self-Sealing, 10 gallons: 0.1 lbs, 1.5 cf, $500, Fire -3. Recharges battery in 8h37.2min.
Alcohol, 10 gallons (47.9h): 58 lbs, $5, Fire 10-3=7
AvGas, 10 gallons (57.4h): 65 lbs, $20, Fire 13-3=10
Diesel, 10 gallons (57.4h): 60 lbs, $12, Fire 9-3=6
Gasoline, 10 gallons (57.4h): 60 lbs, $15, Fire 11-3=8
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Old 05-20-2020, 08:10 AM   #5
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Default Re: [Vehicles] Self-Propelled Backpack

I can see this getting on very well with a certain chest of Mr Pratchett's - sufficiently advanced technology indeed.
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Old 05-20-2020, 02:23 PM   #6
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Default Re: [Vehicles] Self-Propelled Backpack

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Originally Posted by The Colonel View Post
I can see this getting on very well with a certain chest of Mr Pratchett's - sufficiently advanced technology indeed.
I was actually surprised at how plausible the general designs were, even if you drop the GURPS power cells down to VX1's "advanced batteries". Throw in a few decades more of non-GURPSian computer improvement, and either one makes for an astonishingly reasonable cybershell for somebody's uploaded mind to embody in. (Though I think I'd prefer the somewhat larger mail-bot, personally; a lot of socialization and built-in equipment is just so much easier to deal with when you're at least three feet tall.)


Quote:
Originally Posted by DataPacRat View Post
. Body Hit Points: 14 * 1.5 = 21
...
. Structural HT: (200 * 21 / 229.075) + 5 = 23, capped at 12
. Body ST: (1 - (229.075/2000))*80 = 71, capped at 42
...
GURPS Robots character stats:
...
. Body ST 42 [181]
. HT 12/42 [170]
... Whoops. I just noticed that should have been 21 HP in the GURPS stats (bringing the final cost down to [75]). Ah well, either way, it's still a pretty rugged design, and can take a lot of abuse.
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Old 05-20-2020, 03:01 PM   #7
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Default Re: [Vehicles] Self-Propelled Backpack

Quote:
Originally Posted by DataPacRat View Post
I was actually surprised at how plausible the general designs were.
Why a surprise? You've just reinvented BigDog, other than the ability to fold up and act like a normal backpack.
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Old 05-20-2020, 06:33 PM   #8
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Default Re: [Vehicles] Self-Propelled Backpack

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Originally Posted by Anthony View Post
Why a surprise? You've just reinvented BigDog, other than the ability to fold up and act like a normal backpack.
Well, given that BigDog's been shelved for five years; and its successor, SpotMini, while cool in all sorts of ways, is still a solution in search of a problem, I'm not sure how complimentary the comparison is to the Go-Bag-Bot. :)


(The closest to 'use' I've seen for SpotMini is Adam Savage's creation of a rickshaw pulled by it, or a half-second clip in a larger video implying that it was herding some sheep.)
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Old 05-20-2020, 06:42 PM   #9
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Default Re: [Vehicles] Self-Propelled Backpack

Quote:
Originally Posted by DataPacRat View Post
Well, given that BigDog's been shelved for five years; and its successor, SpotMini, while cool in all sorts of ways, is still a solution in search of a problem, I'm not sure how complimentary the comparison is to the Go-Bag-Bot. :)
Object carriers are perfectly useful, it just turns out that wheels work fine for most situations we care about.
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Old 05-20-2020, 07:55 PM   #10
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Default Re: [Vehicles] Self-Propelled Backpack

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony View Post
Object carriers are perfectly useful, it just turns out that wheels work fine for most situations we care about.
'We' meaning anyone other than PCs, I assume? :)
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