Although they were considered one of the most advanced cyborgs ever created, Robobrains never reached full production status.[1] Persistent problems with aggression and violence even in properly CODE-conditioned Robobrains caused major problems for General Atomics.[2][3] Persistent equipment failure in brain extractors that were incapable of working at an industrial capacity,[4] and flaws in the immature technology used to manufacture Robobrain chassis resulted in a limited trial run. RB-2851 alone managed to complete three batches, with a further two planned. Each batch provided superior upgrades to the robot, including increased energy efficiency, maintaining brain longevity, improved visual cortex connections to enhance motor skills and perception, and tactical combat capabilities.[5][6][7][8][9]
Units deemed combat-capable were assigned on a provisional basis to select locations across the United States, for security and janitorial duties. These included the Sierra Army Depot VI, Mariposa Military Base, and the Glow on the West Coast and other locations in the East.[10][11] Some private companies closely affiliated with the government did receive a limited number of completed Robobrains for security purposes, like the Vault-Tec Corporation.[12]
Developed by General Atomics International and the US Army with indirect support from RobCo Industries,[13] the Robobrain was designed from the ground up as a multirole platform for use by military and civilian clients. They are more flexible and powerful than robots due to the fact that their central control and processing unit is an actual brain, rather than an artificial facsimile.[2][14] Coupled with a robust, all-terrain tracked chassis and powerful armaments, the Robobrain was on the forefront of a new revolution in combat robotics.
Gameplay attributes[]
Robobrains appear in the Mojave, though they are much rarer than they are in the Capital Wasteland. One can be found overlooking Hoover Dam near Ranger Station Delta, working for the NCR. There are also hostile robobrains at HELIOS One, Vault 11, the H&H Tools factory and Big MT. These Robobrains have male voices, unlike the Robobrains of the Capital Wasteland, which have female voices.
Variants[]
Robobrain[]
The standard robobrain found throughout the Mojave.
“Who... am I? I... feel different, awake, alive for the first time ever. What... I feel like this has happened before. Yet I feel awake for the first time? What is going on?What is this strange new world around me? What does it hold in store for a dreamer such as myself? Noooooooooo...
This Robobrain variant was created by gene splicing a lobotomite and Mister Orderly, an experiment run on a terminal in the X-8 research center. Its purpose was to see the effects of gene splicing humans and robots, which subsequently gave the original brain of the robot a state of awareness. After the splice is completed, it will wander around the platform it was created on, asking questions about its own existence, only to explode shortly after.
The U.S. Army Robobrain was developed by the military in order to replace soldiers on the front line in an attempt to gain the upper hand against the Chinese.
Just like the sentry bot, Protectron and Mister Handy, despite having a melee action implemented in them, Robobrains will not use melee attacks on enemies, no matter how close they are.
Notable quotes[]
"I wish there was some other way we could have worked this out."
"What..? I feel like this has happened before. I feel awake for the first time, what is going on? What is this strange new world around me? What does it hold in store for a dreamer such as myself?"
↑The Sole Survivor: "Have you seen a robot with a brain like that before?" Ada: "No, but my old caravan discovered records about them while we were scavenging military facilities. According to my data banks, it's called the "Robobrain." It was considered one of the most technologically superior robots ever constructed, but the model never reached full production status." (Ada's dialogue)
↑ 2.02.1Fallout: New Vegas loading screen hints: "The Robobrain, constructed by General Atomics International before the great nuclear war, is unique in that it uses an actual organic brain as its central processor."
↑The Sole Survivor: "Here you go, Ada. The final Radar Beacon. I'll need that head back when you're done." Ada: "Of course. Shouldn't take but a moment.There you go... still in one piece.I'm not sure why you want the head back. All we needed was its Radar Beacon.Besides, Robobrains are notorious for being... well, a real pain in the neck." The Sole Survivor: "What else do you know about them, Ada?" Ada: "Quite simply, it's the first time General Atomics produced a successful union between organic matter and robotics. The brain is used both as a control unit and a data storage unit which is far more efficient than using standard circuits.Unfortunately, there were a lot of programming issues with these robots which caused them to be a bit... shall we say, unhinged?Hopefully, this particular Robobrain will have some of the answers that we've been seeking." (Ada's dialogue)
↑Automatron loading screen hints: "The Robobrain, constructed by General Atomics International before the Great War, is unique in that it uses an actual organic brain as its central processor."