Robots in Vekllei

Part of the technology series of articles.

Robots (often called automatics) in Vekllei are mobile machines controlled remotely by large optical computers via radio transmission. They are a continuous presence in Vekllei society, conducting all manner of tasks across industry, logistics and public services. Unlike autonomous machines with onboard processing (in the conventional depiction of a robot), robots in Vekllei and around the world are effectively remote-controlled extensions of centralised computer systems.

The country maintains thousands of Automatic Asset Commands – room-sized optical computers that coordinate fleets of robots through continuous radio signals. A single command system might control hundreds of droids simultaneously, routing them through factories, warehouses, streets or railways. This centralised architecture emerged from the first industrial robots that appeared in Poland in the 1980s and spread throughout the Soviet Union, and from which contemporary design derives. In Vekllei, basically all robots in operation were designed and manufactured by National Machines.

Operation #

Vekllei robots are “droids” in the technical sense – they possess no independent intelligence or decision-making capability. All processing occurs in an Automatic Asset Command or equivalent computer located elsewhere, with robots serving as mobile input-output devices for the central computer.

Many robots can understand human speech and respond in Automatic Language, which sounds like synthesised bells in different tones that are closely associated with morse code and specific phrases. Many Vekllei people recognise basic Automatic Language and its shorthands, like “yes,” “no,” and “complete.”

Robots comprise radio and sensory equipment, motors and commonly an equipment rail to which manipulator arms and specialised appliances and paraphernalia can be attached.

The robot transmits sensory data to its command computer dozens of times per second. The computer processes this information using ternary logic systems, calculates appropriate responses and transmits movement commands back to the robot. This cycle occurs so rapidly that the robot appears to react in real-time to its environment, though all decision-making happens remotely.

Radio transmission occurs on dedicated frequencies allocated by the Bureau of Automation and Robotics. Each Automatic Asset Command operates on assigned channels to prevent interference between different robot fleets. Military and emergency service robots receive priority frequency allocations that cannot be interrupted by industrial systems.

Types of Robots #

National Machines produces two modular flagship products, which are the most common seen in Vekllei today. These are the General-Use Machine (GUM), a mobile droid shaped a bit like a pill, and the Automatic Factory Schematic System (AFS) which is typically integrated into existing environments on a bespoke basis. The GUM is manufactured under the National Machines brand, whereas the AFS is developed and marketed by its constituent Atlantic Electrics.

• Industrial automatics perform factory tasks including assembly, welding, materials handling and quality inspection. These typically remain stationary or move on rails within production facilities. A single Automatic Asset Command in a large factory might coordinate 200-300 industrial droids simultaneously.

• Logistics automatics transport goods in warehouses, loading facilities and distribution centres. They navigate using painted floor markings detected by optical sensors, with the command computer calculating efficient routing between pickup and delivery points. Larger logistics centres operate dedicated Automatic Asset Commands managing fleets of 400-500 droids.

• Maintenance automatics clean pavements, collect refuse and perform minor repairs to public infrastructure. These are most visible to ordinary Vekllei people, operating autonomously but under constant supervision from municipal command computers. They typically work overnight when pedestrian traffic is minimal.

• Railway automatics operate across the CommRail network, performing track inspection, signal maintenance and platform cleaning. The Automatic Train Control system coordinates both trains and maintenance droids, ensuring robots clear tracks before passenger services pass through.

• Police auxiliary automatics patrol assigned areas under direction from precinct command computers. They are not armed but can carry equipment for human use. Constables can summon nearby droids via radio to block roads, provide first aid equipment or check for environmental hazards.

• Emergency auxiliary automatics assist the Civil Defence services, operating in environments dangerous to humans. These include firefighting droids capable of entering burning buildings and search-and-rescue units for collapsed structures. Emergency command computers receive priority processing resources during active incidents.