Fido & Friends

Robots in use by the Space Defence Force – Exploration Division.

Fido.

The prime robot “dog” called a Fido is based on the Boston Dynamics' SPOT unit. It is a 4 legged all terrain scout – surveillance robot, with a base weight of 50 lbs. A variety of sensors and sample taking modules can be easily attached to its back depending on the mission. Most common of these are the full spectrum video-audio recording system and the manipulator arm (that looks a bit like a head).

Fido can operate autonomously within certain guide lines and can follow simple instructions. It is smart but not AI smart. Or it can be remotely operated by a person using a small control console, with an effective range of 200 yards. The rechargeable battery pack give spot a high activity duration of 8 hours. (The time frame of most away missions)

As part of its emergency equipment, Fido has a homing signal that can be triggered by a search radio and a small first aid kit. As something of a joke programmers left in the command “Timmy fell down a well” When given this line, Fido knows that a person is in trouble and in a situation they are not likely to get out of on their own. Thus Fido will return to camp and bring help back to the location of “Timmy”

Fido has no armor or weapons.

Its back rack can mount 10 lbs of equipment, without decrease to the unit's mobility.

The Mule.

Larger than the “little dog” this 4 legged robot is primarily a cargo carrier for up to 400 lbs. It can keep up with a scout team over almost any terrain. (swamps are a problem) It has an 8 hour battery with a fold out solar panel recharging system. It also has a radio relay that is powerful enough to reach a ship in orbit. Without cargo it has a weight of 200 lbs.

The Mule is not as smart as the Fido, its brain mostly concerned with following the scout team. It can perform several basic operations triggered by voice command and is intended to be used without a control console. In regular cargo carry configuration it has attachment points for 4 backpacks plus a general camping kit.

As part of its emergency equipment, the Mule has a full medic kit and fold out stretcher, which can be mounted to its back (in place of the backpacks) thus allowing one casualty to be transported.

The Mule has no armor or weapons.

The Wolf. 

This robot is a modified Mule for military actions. Its 400 lbs weight allowance is split into a 100 lbs armor package making it very resistant to small arms fire, and a 300 lbs weapons load that includes a light machine gun and 2 grenade launchers. The MG is belt-fed from a 500 round box, with a second box in storage. The first GL is offensive; firing explosive rounds, while the second GL is defensive; firing smoke or non-lethal rounds. Both have 6 shot rotating drum magazines, with a box of reloads in storage.

The Wolf is smart, with its main function being threat assessment. It has a primary and secondary sensor system for situational awareness, making it a rather good guard dog. To prevent friendly fire accidents it has several IFF systems including face recognition and radio ID tracking. The Wold is intended to operate autonomously with voice commands, but it does come with a full-control console, if an operator wants to pilot it.

Although the name denotes a fast predator, the Wolf is just as slow as the Mule, limited to a fast walking pace. This is thought to be acceptable given its role as camp defender.