Astromech Droids vs Exocomps

Ted C · Post by **Ted C** » 2003-03-28 10:57am

Maybe... just maybe... this is a new argument that will generate some interest.

In an orbital construction yard, I have placed parts and supplies with which to construct a Space Shuttle.

The Star Trek side gets a group of exocomps programmed to construct, maintain, and operate a Space Shuttle. The Star Wars side gets an equal number of Astromech Droids programmed to construct, maintain, and operate a Space Shuttle.

First team to successfully assemble a shuttle and land it at Kennedy Space Center wins; modifications to the shuttles that will allow non-human pilots to fly them are up to the builders.

Ted C · Post by **Ted C** » 2003-03-28 10:59am

Before anyone thinks of these issues, there are more than enough parts to construct two shuttles, and sabotaging the other side's work is not allowed.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2003-03-28 01:00pm

By all means I prefer astromechs to those damned fool exocomps, but I don't see how exactly a group of astromechs can conduct any large-scale construction. Unless there are features on astromechs that would allow this that aren't seen in the movies (haven't read the EU), I'd have to give it to the exocomps.

Ted C · Post by **Ted C** » 2003-03-28 01:07pm

Howedar wrote:By all means I prefer astromechs to those damned fool exocomps, but I don't see how exactly a group of astromechs can conduct any large-scale construction. Unless there are features on astromechs that would allow this that aren't seen in the movies (haven't read the EU), I'd have to give it to the exocomps.

I wasn't aware that exocomps had any "large-scale construction" features built in. Both sides will have to improvise in that regard.

Isolder74 · Post by **Isolder74** » 2003-03-28 01:20pm

Ted C wrote:
Howedar wrote:By all means I prefer astromechs to those damned fool exocomps, but I don't see how exactly a group of astromechs can conduct any large-scale construction. Unless there are features on astromechs that would allow this that aren't seen in the movies (haven't read the EU), I'd have to give it to the exocomps.
I wasn't aware that exocomps had any "large-scale construction" features built in. Both sides will have to improvise in that regard.

They don't need large scale constrution. All they need to do is put the thinks togather. Both have what they need for this though Astromechs can lift larger objects. The desiding factor is the piloting, Astromechs can interface with computers directly and so once it's built flying it will be a snap.

Ted C · Post by **Ted C** » 2003-03-28 01:31pm

I might add that I tried to mitigate many of the large-scale construction difficulties by allowing the teams to work in a micro-gravity environment.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2003-03-28 04:32pm

Yes, that helps, although it probably helps the astromechs more than the exocomps.

Isolder74 · Post by **Isolder74** » 2003-03-28 11:25pm

Howedar wrote:Yes, that helps, although it probably helps the astromechs more than the exocomps.

Wow I became a Council Member and didn't notice. Exorcomps only means of communication is a stupid keypad. They only appeared to have limited intellegence and had to be moved long distances by personnel. The farthest they have ever moved was no more than 20 meters. Astromechs on the other hand, are built to do this sort of thing. They are not dedicated construction droids, but since all of the parts are already here they just need to put it togather.

I think the R2's would be done and landed in less than a day.

Post by **Kuja** » 2003-03-29 01:15am

I don't think it would be QUITE that fast, but I do think the astromechs take it.

Darth Garden Gnome · Post by **Darth Garden Gnome** » 2003-03-29 01:20am

Neither are designed for construction. But R2s do have the neccesary tools, even if they aren't exactly the best for the job. I can't even remmeber what was the deal with exocomps.

But R2s are self-aware, while I think the exocomps had to be controlled by humans. I suppose we could assume the exocomps had systems installed so they could be independent of that.

Toss-up.

brothersinarm · Post by **brothersinarm** » 2003-03-29 01:24am

actually I believed that excomps are intellegent somewhat. I believed i read that at the startrek website in their library area. However exocomps can't really move fast...they sort of hobble along so by the time they get to the supplies the astromech units will have started along time ago.

brothersinarm · Post by **brothersinarm** » 2003-03-29 01:25am

Experimental apparatus created by Dr. Farallon to perform engineering functions in hazardous situations. Exocomps were equipped with microreplicators that they would use to make whatever tool was needed to accomplish the assigned task. Outfitted with extensive onboard intelligence so they could make repair decisions independently, the exocomps were discovered to be sentient life-forms in their own right in 2369.

Here's the quote from the star trek website. They're considered sentient life-forms and intellegent...just physically handicapped.

Isolder74 · Post by **Isolder74** » 2003-03-29 01:28am

brothersinarm wrote:
Experimental apparatus created by Dr. Farallon to perform engineering functions in hazardous situations. Exocomps were equipped with microreplicators that they would use to make whatever tool was needed to accomplish the assigned task. Outfitted with extensive onboard intelligence so they could make repair decisions independently, the exocomps were discovered to be sentient life-forms in their own right in 2369.
Here's the quote from the star trek website. They're considered sentient life-forms and intellegent...just physically handicapped.

And were really not all that smart. A cat is a sentient life form

brothersinarm · Post by **brothersinarm** » 2003-03-29 01:31am

lol ...so very true...but they still have to be smart enough to tell the difference between a light switch and a plasma relay...a cat wouldn't be able to do that

Isolder74 · Post by **Isolder74** » 2003-03-29 01:36am

brothersinarm wrote:lol ...so very true...but they still have to be smart enough to tell the difference between a light switch and a plasma relay...a cat wouldn't be able to do that

a cat can be trained to use a light switch

Lord Poe · Post by **Lord Poe** » 2003-03-29 01:40am

http://h4h.com/louis/droids.html#exocomps vs. r2d2

[Link fixed (spaces in URL's should be replaced by %20% when you cite them, or preferably not used at all)- DW]

brothersinarm · Post by **brothersinarm** » 2003-03-29 01:44am

ah yes but repairing ships are a bit more complex. Because they never actually said how intellegent they were we can only assume they were smart enough to do their jobs. Maybe not as smart as a person but still smarter than or equal to a chimp. Anyways thanks for this debate...this is my first time so...If I'm blabbing sorry. Got to go to bed, I'm seeing things very fuzzy right now. Cheers!

Keevan_Colton · Post by **Keevan_Colton** » 2003-03-29 11:38am

The Astromechs have the advantage here....thier primary function relates to the repair and control of small craft....such as....a shuttle.....given all the bits ready to be put together its just a really really big repair job....

Exocomps are at a great disadvantage, they are designed not for repair of small craft, but for the maintenance of small systems....which isnt really the same....they move slower, will have more difficulty...and certainly loose on the evident intelligence front.....

Ender · Post by **Ender** » 2003-03-29 11:57am

Exocomps have a bit of a disadvantage here. They use antigrav to manuver around, but in space there isn't anything for the antigrav to push against.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2003-03-29 01:53pm

Assuming that exocomp antigrav just repels mass (and I don't know how else it could be made to work), then it shouldn't matter. Presumably we're talking about an orbital construction facility, in which case the planetary mass is quite obviously still there.

I had forgotten about the rather short range of the exocomps though.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-03-29 07:44pm

Exocomps needed to be controlled by a human at a consol as I recall.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-03-29 09:19pm

An astromech droid has been designed from the ground up to repair spacecraft in low-gravity conditions. An exocomp would have to improvise. Astromechs take it easily.

PS. I've seen the episode in which they were "discovered" to be intelligent and sentient; the "proof" of their intelligence is very limited (one gives himself up to save the others).

Post by **RogueIce** » 2003-03-29 09:46pm

Poe's Site wrote:
Trek wrote:So ST tools are more advanced.

Wars wrote:Because they call their welders plasma torches?

hehe I had to post this. Priceless...

Singular Quartet · Post by **Singular Quartet** » 2003-03-29 11:23pm

Darth Wong wrote:An astromech droid has been designed from the ground up to repair spacecraft in low-gravity conditions. An exocomp would have to improvise. Astromechs take it easily.

PS. I've seen the episode in which they were "discovered" to be intelligent and sentient; the "proof" of their intelligence is very limited (one gives himself up to save the others).

As I recall, there was also the fact that they also refused to randomly go in and get themselves killed due to radiation.

What sor to fshuttle are they trying to build? Just a standard space shuttel from eitehr universe, a NASA orbital, a soyux capsule (Now that'd be an intresting one...)

Post by **RogueIce** » 2003-03-29 11:44pm

Singular Quartet wrote:What sor to fshuttle are they trying to build? Just a standard space shuttel from eitehr universe, a NASA orbital, a soyux capsule (Now that'd be an intresting one...)

I would imagine a NASA Orbiter, by virtue of the landing at Kennedy Space Center requirement.