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Old 07-02-2018, 10:52 AM   #1
Alonsua
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Default Cybernetics

Hi there, which skills would you roll to invent things such as computer implants, sensie transceivers...? Engineer (Robotics) or anything else?
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Old 07-02-2018, 11:29 AM   #2
ericthered
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Default Re: Cybernetics

I'd personally invent a new Engineering specialty for Neuro-interfaces. Its just so different from other kinds of engineering.
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Old 07-02-2018, 01:08 PM   #3
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I would think that you would also need Physiology, Engineering (Robotics), and Computer Programming as prerequisites. Otherwise, they will not match the physical capabilites of the target organism, they will not physically function properly, and they will not mesh with the neurology of the target organism.
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Old 07-02-2018, 01:39 PM   #4
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Default Re: Cybernetics

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Originally Posted by AlexanderHowl View Post
I would think that you would also need Physiology, Engineering (Robotics), and Computer Programming as prerequisites. Otherwise, they will not match the physical capabilites of the target organism, they will not physically function properly, and they will not mesh with the neurology of the target organism.

I'd argue that Engineering (Neuro-interfaces) is likely to include all of those.



If we're using the multiple skill route, I'd use physiology(nerves), and Engineering (electronics). I wouldn't pull robotics into it unless the device requires it, like a cybernetic leg, and programming I'd reserve for building complicated interfaces.
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Old 07-02-2018, 02:03 PM   #5
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Default Re: Cybernetics

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Originally Posted by ericthered View Post
I'd personally invent a new Engineering specialty for Neuro-interfaces. Its just so different from other kinds of engineering.
Electronics Operation has a (Medical) specialization, that probably really ought to have carried over to Engineering too. In the 3e rules, where Electronics was an engineering skill and required the same specializations as Electronics Operation it would have, but it didn't make the jump to 4e.

Engineer is short several specialties it really should have - most dramatically the lack of Engineer (Mechanical) to design machines that aren't microscopic.
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Old 07-02-2018, 02:21 PM   #6
Alonsua
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Default Re: Cybernetics

So Engineer (Robotics) basically. Thank you.
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Old 07-03-2018, 12:48 AM   #7
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Default Re: Cybernetics

As a working engineer, I would expect that cybernetics would require several different specialities depending on the device. Engineer (Cybernetics) would give you the highest skill to combine parts into a functioning whole, but you would need Electronics, Mechanical or Robotics, Computer Programming, Neural Interface, and some Physician specialty as well. Cybernetics would give you a good default to each, but you are best having a team unless you want to sink a lot of points.

Again, this is from experience. Chief engineers on cars, for example, are rarely capable of designing the components, even the ones crucial to cars, unless they developed such a specialty earlier in their careers. Even the guys who design computers are unlikely to be able to build a hard drive or power supply or video card well enough to justify doing it themselves rather than buying off the shelf of getting a specialist to do the work.
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Old 07-03-2018, 01:11 AM   #8
Alonsua
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Default Re: Cybernetics

Ultratech p. 34
"Engineer (Robotics) is the basic skill for designing robots and cyborgs. Engineer (Microtechnology) is used for microbot swarms. Engineer (Nanotechnology) is used for nanobot swarms."

Basic Set p. 190
"Robotics: Designing robotics and cybernetics. Default: Mechanic (Robotics)-6."
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Old 07-03-2018, 01:15 AM   #9
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Default Re: Cybernetics

Needing half a dozen skills to do one thing leads to the skill bloat problem of 3rd edition.
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Old 07-03-2018, 02:27 AM   #10
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Default Re: Cybernetics

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Originally Posted by Alonsua View Post
Hi there, which skills would you roll to invent things such as computer implants, sensie transceivers...? Engineer (Robotics) or anything else?
Engineer (Bionics) most likely (yes, the skill isn't in Basic, but the list in Basic is examples, not exhaustive); the primary difficulties have to do with nervous system interfaces and being able to operate within an environment of the human body, and that's not terribly closely related to any of the standard engineering specialties.
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