Post by evilphd7 on May 19, 2006 1:08:59 GMT -4
Dazzlebots, (D-bots for short) were once a common sight in casinos, bars and gentleman's clubs. The ultimate in performance entertainment, D-bots were infused with a rich and complicated neuroprocessing matrix developed from brain wave analyses of some of the best and brightest human entertainers of the era.
Built to be particularly empathetic (the better to hold the demandingly short attention spans of digital-age audiences), Dazzlebots began identifying too strongly with humans and eventually developed an intense independent streak labeled "SASS" (Succinct Antagonistic Synaptic Syndrome) by robotics engineers. This eventually led to the retirement of the line which owners found too troublesome to deal with and to costly to maintain.
The first Dazzlebots, the "A" series, were little more than expensive "intimacy companions" infused with an advanced AI neuroprocessor. Though initial sales were promising, several competitor clones entered the market soon after, cutting profits and forcing the development team back to the drawing boards.
The result of this "brainstorming" session was the "B" series Dazzlebot which were primarily performance entertainers marketed to entertainment firms such as casinos, nightclubs and gentlemen's clubs rather than private investors. The "B" series featured a revolutionary new substance called "Novadermite" which gave the bots a durable yet soft skin, which was kept comfortably warm by heated gel circulating just below the surface.
In order to improve on their previous designs and to hold their competitive edge, the "C" series dazzlebots rolled off the production line several years later. The "C" d-bots looked and behaved so real that humans frequently could not tell them apart from other humans. While a stunning feat of engineering, this lead to numerous lawsuits and eventually an injunction prohibiting bot manufacturers from producing automatons which could be mistaken for organic beings.
In order to help stave-off the incredible debt generated by years of costly litigation, a fourth and final series of Dazzlebots were produced. The "D" series D-bots were essentially a reskinned version of the "C" series with a few neurological enhancements. The "D" series were given metallic-looking skin and were easily recognizable as bots. To the surprise of many, the "D" series set new sales records and enjoyed a long and profitable production run. It was the "D" series, which gave D-bots their reputation as independent and troublesome. Many were returned to the corporation by angry hotel and casino owners until the line disappeared completely.
Ironically, the scarcity of D-bots has lead to black market sales explosion; underworld organizations such as "The Inner Eye" hoard D-bots for use in illegal casinos, clubs and brothels. Those few who manage to find freedom lead difficult lives and find themselves constantly looking over their shoulders, ready to dodge Inner Eye "botnappers" and bot haters among the population at large.
Built to be particularly empathetic (the better to hold the demandingly short attention spans of digital-age audiences), Dazzlebots began identifying too strongly with humans and eventually developed an intense independent streak labeled "SASS" (Succinct Antagonistic Synaptic Syndrome) by robotics engineers. This eventually led to the retirement of the line which owners found too troublesome to deal with and to costly to maintain.
The first Dazzlebots, the "A" series, were little more than expensive "intimacy companions" infused with an advanced AI neuroprocessor. Though initial sales were promising, several competitor clones entered the market soon after, cutting profits and forcing the development team back to the drawing boards.
The result of this "brainstorming" session was the "B" series Dazzlebot which were primarily performance entertainers marketed to entertainment firms such as casinos, nightclubs and gentlemen's clubs rather than private investors. The "B" series featured a revolutionary new substance called "Novadermite" which gave the bots a durable yet soft skin, which was kept comfortably warm by heated gel circulating just below the surface.
In order to improve on their previous designs and to hold their competitive edge, the "C" series dazzlebots rolled off the production line several years later. The "C" d-bots looked and behaved so real that humans frequently could not tell them apart from other humans. While a stunning feat of engineering, this lead to numerous lawsuits and eventually an injunction prohibiting bot manufacturers from producing automatons which could be mistaken for organic beings.
In order to help stave-off the incredible debt generated by years of costly litigation, a fourth and final series of Dazzlebots were produced. The "D" series D-bots were essentially a reskinned version of the "C" series with a few neurological enhancements. The "D" series were given metallic-looking skin and were easily recognizable as bots. To the surprise of many, the "D" series set new sales records and enjoyed a long and profitable production run. It was the "D" series, which gave D-bots their reputation as independent and troublesome. Many were returned to the corporation by angry hotel and casino owners until the line disappeared completely.
Ironically, the scarcity of D-bots has lead to black market sales explosion; underworld organizations such as "The Inner Eye" hoard D-bots for use in illegal casinos, clubs and brothels. Those few who manage to find freedom lead difficult lives and find themselves constantly looking over their shoulders, ready to dodge Inner Eye "botnappers" and bot haters among the population at large.