Remotely piloted vehicle

[Carlobrand]

I'm playing around with the idea of remotely piloted vehicles. Using the MT design rules, a remotely piloted vehicle (RPV) would simply be a vehicle whose controls went through a radio or laser/maser communicator link rather than through whatever wiring a ship would ordinarily use. In other words, the vehicle is here, the control panel and computer is there. This concept is not directly modeled in the rules, as far as I know, so I'm trying to solicit some opinions to develop rules that cover it.

First, would the RPV itself need a computer (Model 0, presumably) to maintain a laser/maser link with the parent, or would the parent's computer be sufficient?

Second, errata allows for up to 12 kiloliters of linked controls per operator without a computer (assuming I'm interpreting that phrasing right). That translates to 600 CP per person for TL10+ control panels, 960 for the TL9 ones, 840 for the TL8 ones. (60 per person for the TL7 ones, if I were trying to build something low tech.) In this instance, I'm imagining a small drone, so CP requirements are typically only a couple or three hundred. Would the parent's controls require a computer to maintain a laser/maser link with the drone, or would the control panels be sufficient?

 

[McPerth]

ITTR that in Hard Times, on the section One Small Step (where pre-gravitic desing rules were described) there were some rules about remote controled crafts, but I don't have it handy right now.

 

[Lycanorukke]

ITTR that in Hard Times, on the section One Small Step (where pre-gravitic desing rules were described) there were some rules about remote controled crafts, but I don't have it handy right now.

Page 84

Remote controlled craft do not require CP units.
Remote controlled craft must have one (or more for redunancy) dedicated communicator for control

Page 89

Robot Ops skill is used.
Automatic DM of -1
The controller must have an appropriate communicator and a single computer (or combination of computers) with sufficient CP

CP = (Pr / 10000) x TL

If contact is lost between the controller and vehicle vehicle is out of control. Formidable task to recover control. For every additional attempt additional -1 DM. DMs are awarded for Comms, Robot OPs and Education.

***

So it looks like the remote controller does all the work via the comm link. Though for safety prehaps have some minimal control onboard the drone so if contact it lost, it stops or 'comes home' rather than go out of control.

 

[Carlobrand]

That sounds pretty good actually. Thanks!

 

[AnotherDilbert]

So it looks like the remote controller does all the work via the comm link. Though for safety prehaps have some minimal control onboard the drone so if contact it lost, it stops or 'comes home' rather than go out of control.

If you would want it to fly itself home it would need some autonomous intelligence and control panels enough to control flight. Perhaps a robot brain?

 

[sfchbryan]

The Aslan use them

I'd recommend taking a look at their combat equipment.

 

[Major B]

Some examples

I made some remote vehicles and posted them in the file library here.

You have to scroll down to near the bottom of the thread. There are Nav Beacons, Commo relays, and even some of the drop capsule designs were intended to return to the ship after the trooper jumps out.

I can dig up some of the files and send them if you are interested. Just send your address by PM.

 

[Carlobrand]

I made some remote vehicles and posted them in the file library here.

You have to scroll down to near the bottom of the thread. There are Nav Beacons, Commo relays, and even some of the drop capsule designs were intended to return to the ship after the trooper jumps out.

I can dig up some of the files and send them if you are interested. Just send your address by PM.

Thank you. Interesting designs. Why do you have control panels on the RPV? I rather thought there had to be human hands at the control panels and so they'd need to be with the pilot.

 

[Major B]

Why do you have control panels on the RPV? I rather thought there had to be human hands at the control panels and so they'd need to be with the pilot.

I assumed that the control panel needed to be connected physically to the things it controls while the human interface was provided by the HoloHUD unit with a radio link between them.

I don't remember anything specific in the MT rules that led me to that conclusion. Its been awhile but I think that was just how I thought it out. However, T5 makes it more explicit with consoles for human interface and control panels serving as the link between the device and the console.

Hope that helps.

 

[aramis]

There's a limit on how much data (specifically CP) a radio-link can put through... but I would assume the computer can be put on either end of that link as needed, but I'd have to check "One Small Step" to be certain.