jump drive pilot?

[Lexx]

I was curious about something: Do ships NEED a pilot to jump drive, and if so, why?

I've read about the xboat network and how the ships are tiny little teardrops without even a standard drive, but they have pilots. Is a computer incapable of making a jump between fixed points?

 

[Lexx]

I was curious about something: Do ships NEED a pilot to jump drive, and if so, why?

I've read about the xboat network and how the ships are tiny little teardrops without even a standard drive, but they have pilots. Is a computer incapable of making a jump between fixed points?

 

[Takei]

You have a point Lexx. An auto-pilot should be able to handle all the necesary duties. If the same boat is used between two systems, then the navigation 'tape' can be updated by personell on the tender and uploaded with the information transfer.

 

[Takei]

You have a point Lexx. An auto-pilot should be able to handle all the necesary duties. If the same boat is used between two systems, then the navigation 'tape' can be updated by personell on the tender and uploaded with the information transfer.

 

[mike wightman]

Using Book 8 Robots it is easy enough to build a capable robotic brain at TL 12 to operate a ship with a skill level of 4 in pilot, navigation and ship tactics.

The OTU, or at least the Imperium, has a bias against using robots for a lot of tasks that they could be used for.

 

[mike wightman]

Using Book 8 Robots it is easy enough to build a capable robotic brain at TL 12 to operate a ship with a skill level of 4 in pilot, navigation and ship tactics.

The OTU, or at least the Imperium, has a bias against using robots for a lot of tasks that they could be used for.

 

[aramis]

Not just 'bots, but automation... almost a lesser result of a butlerian jihad...

 

[aramis]

Not just 'bots, but automation... almost a lesser result of a butlerian jihad...

 

[Spinward Scout]

I've always wondered about this myself. And if you COULD use automation, then the Imperium would be filled with automated couriers, probes, and the end result of that... weaponry. I'd think the Hivers would have come up with something automated if it were possible.

Later,

Scout

 

[Spinward Scout]

I've always wondered about this myself. And if you COULD use automation, then the Imperium would be filled with automated couriers, probes, and the end result of that... weaponry. I'd think the Hivers would have come up with something automated if it were possible.

Later,

Scout

 

[kafka47]

I believe that I read somewhere in the TNE cannon that the Imperium was experimenting with robotic Xboats.

It still favored human Scouts, as presumably the Human could report any irregularities from system to system and also convey more tacit or sensitive information (read: spying).

Having a robotic system of Xboats makes me think of the whole plot of The Postman. Whereby, intitally a Hobbyist form of the Virus picks up the mail and decides he must deliever it from system to system. Radioing tenders pretending he is a real lost human pilot. Only to infect the tenders, in doing so, gaining a sense of the larger purpose of the Xboat system and as a result wanting to recreate the 3I...until a bunch of Vampire Navy Destroyers blow him out of the oceans of space.

 

[kafka47]

I believe that I read somewhere in the TNE cannon that the Imperium was experimenting with robotic Xboats.

It still favored human Scouts, as presumably the Human could report any irregularities from system to system and also convey more tacit or sensitive information (read: spying).

Having a robotic system of Xboats makes me think of the whole plot of The Postman. Whereby, intitally a Hobbyist form of the Virus picks up the mail and decides he must deliever it from system to system. Radioing tenders pretending he is a real lost human pilot. Only to infect the tenders, in doing so, gaining a sense of the larger purpose of the Xboat system and as a result wanting to recreate the 3I...until a bunch of Vampire Navy Destroyers blow him out of the oceans of space.

 

[Straybow]

Folks feel better when there's a flesh and blood person responsible for piloting a ship. That doesn't mean you can't have a push-button system in a spaceship.

 

[Straybow]

Folks feel better when there's a flesh and blood person responsible for piloting a ship. That doesn't mean you can't have a push-button system in a spaceship.

 

[flykiller]

An auto-pilot should be able to handle all the necesary duties.

machines are better than humans at most tasks, so long as all parameters remain within expected limits. the problem is that parameters never remain in expected limits.

 

[flykiller]

An auto-pilot should be able to handle all the necesary duties.

machines are better than humans at most tasks, so long as all parameters remain within expected limits. the problem is that parameters never remain in expected limits.

 

[Elliot]

I've always assumed that there was a mainly automated system but that the human was the trouble shooter.

Thats why a Type S Scout/Courier can be piloted by a crew of 1 with the relevant skills (i.e. pilot, navig, engineering).

 

[Elliot]

I've always assumed that there was a mainly automated system but that the human was the trouble shooter.

Thats why a Type S Scout/Courier can be piloted by a crew of 1 with the relevant skills (i.e. pilot, navig, engineering).

 

[kafka47]

I tend to side with Elliot. The analogy that I use with my players is that of the modern automobile or aircraft.

At one time, it was easy for anyone with rudementary mechanical skills to assemble and dissemmble a car. In fact, in the Czech Republic, it is still a requirement for obtaining a driver's licence. Now as the machinery got more electronic and sophisticated...that task requires many more specialized skills. And, pretty soon we are left with highly skilled & prized mechanics but driving is relatively simple. That is why the Virus was such a blow to the Imperium with many starships by 1116 at TL F internals, nobody knew how to put them back together again without effecting the rest of the system. Canon somewhat backs up this position with the Starship in Knightfall being quasi-self aware and capable of doing most of the tasks through simple verbalization.

 

[kafka47]

I tend to side with Elliot. The analogy that I use with my players is that of the modern automobile or aircraft.

At one time, it was easy for anyone with rudementary mechanical skills to assemble and dissemmble a car. In fact, in the Czech Republic, it is still a requirement for obtaining a driver's licence. Now as the machinery got more electronic and sophisticated...that task requires many more specialized skills. And, pretty soon we are left with highly skilled & prized mechanics but driving is relatively simple. That is why the Virus was such a blow to the Imperium with many starships by 1116 at TL F internals, nobody knew how to put them back together again without effecting the rest of the system. Canon somewhat backs up this position with the Starship in Knightfall being quasi-self aware and capable of doing most of the tasks through simple verbalization.