Can you build a dedicated computer with Virtual Intelligence and Holographic capabilities


Starfinder Society


I have a character who is a medical expert and very good at engineering and computers.

I had an idea of making a healing pod with a dedicated holographic doctor to aid crew when my character is not about. As sometimes you need to provide 24 hour intensive care and my character does need to sleep at some point. Unlike the star trek Voyager doctor this would cost credits to help replenish any medical items used.

Starship operations has Virtual Intelligence and holograms in ship build points but i was thinking of something more like a cost in credits for a computer module.

Another option would be to have a permanent unseen servant with more intelligence to help monitor and clean. The only way I can think to get an unseen servant with a 24 hour duration is by using the 6th level technomancer with a cache capacitor but this doesn't give it any greater intelligence.

If anyone has any ideas how to achieve it please let me know.


there is always a physician drone but they would still need to be operated by a computer to undertake a task. if so then what tier computer should be used.

Dataphiles 4/5 5/55/5 *

I don't see why the physician drone could not be attached via a control module to a computer with an AI. As for the tier...Starships are assumed to have computers of a tier equal to 1/2 the starship tier. So, you could purchase an artificial personality or an AI for your starship. Then purchase a control complex for the physician drone.

5/5 5/55/55/5

If this is for society, no. But you could buy a follower with the medicine skill if you have that option, and flavor them this way.

If this isn't for society you wandered off into the wrong section.


Thank you for your comments, both of you.

Computers are from core rule book, Physician drones are from Armory. Both are valid books to use under society rules.

However i have thought of a way to do what i had in mind by using holographic image at 4th level and magic hack Cache Concentration.

4/5 5/55/55/55/5

You could have a Computer operate a Physician Drone, however the rules here are a mess.

Basic Function:
A basic function can also control a simple device such as a fire-suppression system, remote door, or a video camera—anything with simple on and off functions. Anything more complex that would normally require a creature to operate must be controlled through a control module.

-Take away: It can operate soemthing as though it is a creature.

Control Module:

The control module allows the computer to operate a complex device, to which it must be in some way connected. (Simpler devices can be controlled as part of a computer’s basic functions.)Some countermeasures might make use of a computer’s control modules when activated. Gaining control of a computer allows the user to activate the devices in any way allowed by the control module. The price of a control module depends on the complexity of the object being controlled. The control module for a more complex device, such as a spy Drone, Starship, Vehicle, or weapon turret, costs 10% of the device to be controlled.

When controlling a basic device that essentially has an on/off switch, the computer simply gains access to that switch and can activate or deactivate the connected device as instructed. When in charge of a device that can already operate autonomously (such as a robot or another computer), the controlling computer can give orders to that device.

-Take away: The core rules specify a Drone amongst other devices.

***

Problems:

* A Mechanics Drone does not have a price by RAW, so this would limit the applicability of computer control for SFS - no bypassing that action economy.

* A Physician drone (DOMESTIC DRONE, PHYSICIAN) on the other hand DOES have a price, so we can work out the control module is 10% (200 credits) on top of the computer controlling it.

* Whilst computer-aided autonomy seems to be a thing, there is no clear direction of how this relates to combat - does the computer have its own initiative? When does it act?

* The computer (via AI module) can even make its own social interaction checks using diplomacy, intimidate, or bluff checks.

From a build perspective it might look like this:
Domestic Drone, Physician - 2000
T1 Computer - 50
Control (Complex) - 200
Miniaturised - 5
Self charging - 5
Range III - 100
Artificial Personality - 5.

(Miniaturised because Computers with light bulk or negligible bulk can be worn easily on the wrist or clipped to communications devices and used without having to hold them in a hand. Saves having a GM specify that the computer can't be otherwise 'carried' by the drone).

If you wanted to spend a few more credits, go a T2 computer and an extra miniaturisation and then your computer buddy has +4 Intimidate, Bluff, Diplo - not bad in aiding another.

Thoughts:

I am personally not worried about an autonomous level 1 medical drone that can't ever progress or be improved, it's just a cool piece of equipment that costs a chunk of change. It is also relatively fragile (essentially a T1 Drone) with some very low-grade medical skills, so it needs to hang well back from the action and thus has limited use during the 'exciting bits' - not bad for non-combat though.

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