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This is an overview article, listing content appearing in multiple games. |
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Protectrons are a model of robot which appears in Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 4 and Fallout 76.
Background
One of the most widespread and popular models in RobCo Industries' catalog, the protectron was designed as an inexpensive work drone, capable of performing a wide variety of tasks from construction, through security, to office duties.[1] It's a compact, bipedal work drone with a pair of manipulators and integrated lasers for self-defense. The large dome contains the primary optic sensors (usually three)[2] and the central processing unit that contains the robot's synthetic personality. For ease of maintenance, the protectron is typically powered by a fission battery.[3] As it was not intended for combat, at least not as a direct combatant, the Protectron only has a thin alloyed shell meant to protect its internal components from the environment and damage that could be sustained in the course of its duties. The head assembly is typically shielded by a semi-transparent or opaque dome from reinforced glass, though various hardware modifications were introduced before the war to enhance its effectiveness.[4][5]
Numerous variants of the protectron were available on the market, due to the its reliability and flexibility. Apart from the standard body, RobCo also offered construction drones with a shielded, reinforced head, emergency light, and internal power tools like nailguns,[6] firefighter models with an internal cryo gun for fire suppression and additional protection from fire and debris,[7] medic units with built-in defibrillators,[8] and reinforced police models with tasers, stronger servomotors, and armored head.[9] Even factory models could be customized with a variety of software and synthetic personalities to enhance its performance, making it a popular choice for both the private and public sectors.[10] These included the R04 V9 "Office Helper" personality[11] with integrated office protocols and scheduling software,[12] RS3 V4.1.6 "Utility Helper"[13] with remote maintenance routine download capability[14] and pest extermination programs,[15] and the RX2 V1.16.4 "Vault Helper",[16] with all the necessary Vault protocols.[17] Protectrons usually came with a special pod, for storage, maintenance, and recharging,[18] and the Standard Protectron Control Interface v2.40 installed on terminals connected to the pod and responsible for controlling protectrons slaved to it.[19]
The introduction of the protectron had a deleterious effect on the situation of workers in the United States. The efficiency and reliability of the protectron made it a fantastic, tireless laborer[20] easily displacing blue-collar workers, even in industries not affected by the ongoing war. Although companies would deny that the introduction of robotic workers was meant to replace human workers,[21] the reality was that any company where protectrons or other robots were introduced would soon see mass layoffs.[22] In one particular instance, a Pittsburgh steel mill decided to lay off all of its workers[23] citing budget cuts and the need to shut the plant down. When the workers started an occupation strike,[24] the company simply allowed the new protectron fleet to enter the facility and gun down the striking workers down to the last man.[25][26]
Variants
Protectron
In Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas and Fallout 4, protectrons are the second-weakest robot variant encountered, with only eyebots having less firepower. They do not pose much of a threat due to their weaker weaponry and slow speed. They are equipped with dual hand-lasers as well as a head-laser, so that in the event that one weapon is disabled, the protectron can still function in battle. They are not as common in Fallout: New Vegas as they are in Fallout 3; they are in every metro station in the latter, whereas in Fallout: New Vegas, they are mostly found patrolling a few office buildings and the securitron vault.
Factory protectron
Factory protectrons are protectrons designed for use as manual labor inside of factories. Computer entries inside Sunset Sarsaparilla Headquarters in Fallout: New Vegas mention robots being shipped to the factory to replace the human workers. This is probably the case in Fallout 3 as well, and a few examples of these protectrons can be found inside The Mill in the Fallout 3 expansion The Pitt, although they are already deactivated.
Metro protectron
Metro protectrons are a model of protectron found in Washington, D.C.'s metro stations that will ask for a passing person's metro ticket when activated, and that metro ticket will be removed from the inventory. If they do not happen to have a ticket, the protectron will attack.
Nuka-Cola security
Nuka-Cola security are protectrons found in the Nuka-Cola plant. They have the Nuka-Cola Corporation logo on them as well as red coloring around their head and hands. A deactivated one is found in Fallout: New Vegas, in the Lucky 38 penthouse.
Outcast protectron
Outcast protectrons are protectrons reprogrammed by the Brotherhood Outcasts. They are found patrolling with Outcast patrols or outside of their bases.
Factory protectron (The Pitt)
These factory protectrons are found in the Pitt steelyard and were being used as a replacement for human labor within the steel mills. They are heavy duty industrial robots, featuring a reinforced "head" part, a protective cage on the back and distinctive yellow coloring.
Shipping worker
Shipping workers are protectrons found in the Sunset Sarsaparilla Headquarters. There are only two of them, and they can be found on the bottom floor of the factory with the bottle cap press machine.
Sunset Sarsaparilla security
Sunset Sarsaparilla security are a slightly tougher variant of the protectron, of which three are still functioning, and can be found patrolling inside the Sunset Sarsaparilla Headquarters. Their function was to protect the factory, possibly against industrial espionage. Several disabled models can also be found within the factory and scavenged for parts.
Protectron Mark series
The protectron Mark series was an attempt by scientists in Big MT to improve on the base model of protectron built by RobCo. These protectrons come in six versions, Marks I-VI. Mark I is on par with the protectrons found in the Sunset Sarsaparilla Headquarters, while the other marks are scaled on increasing durability based on the player character's level. However, the firepower on each Mark series is the same.
Notable protectrons
- Ace the Raider
- Antoine
- Auto-miner D3-B (Deb)
- Auto-miner DU-K3 (Duke)
- Auto-miner H4N-K (Hank)
- Auto-miner J-0ULE (Jewel)
- Auto-miner J03-L (Joel)
- Auto-miner L4R-E (Larry)
- Bernie
- Blackwater auto-foreman
- Boomer
- Brotherhood vendor
- Buddy
- Button Gwinnet
- Cap'n Kidd
- Census taker
- Cheerful Beekeeper
- Comrade collectron
- Construction drone foreman
- Convivial Historian
- Dean Dewey
- Deputy Weld
- Doc Stanley
- Sheriff Eagle
- First mate
- Fisto
- Free States collectron
- Free States vendor
- Gleeful Butcher
- Happy Candlemaker
- Sheriff Hawk
- Hurtz
- Jolly Baker
- Joyous Musician
- Jubilant Decorator
- Merry Woodsman
- Mr. Fluffy
- N.I.R.A.
- One-Eyed Ike
- Pendleton
- Doc Phosphate
- Primm Slim
- Raiders vendor
- Responders vendor
- Robert
- Santatron
- Scavenger collectron
- Shakes
- Shopping mall vendor
- Steelheart
- Supervisor Chattingham
- Supervisor Danforth
- Supervisor Wellington
- Takahashi
- Tannin
- The Custodian
- The Giddyup Kid
- The Whitespring station vendor
- Thomas Jefferson
- Ticket taker
- Tin man
- Tour bot
- Tweed
- Vendor bot Bob
- Vendor bot Chad
- Vendor bot Greg
- Vendor bot Mack
- Vendor bot Phoenix
- Vendor bot Raider
- Vendor bot Resin
- Vendor bot Responder
- Vendor bot Wallace
- Vendortron
- Watoga vendor bot
Behind the scenes
The protectron's design seems to be inspired by Robby the Robot, a robot that first appeared in the 1956 sci-fi film The Forbidden Planet and appeared in numerous movies, television shows and commercials afterward.
References
- ↑ Fallout 4 loading screens: "The RobCo protectron was constructed for a multitude of civil service applications, from security to firefighting."
- ↑ The Courier: "The display case is empty. The gun's missing."
Primm Slim: "Have you gone loco, pardner? I can see the gun with my own three photo sensors from where I'm standing right now. [You hear strange sounds coming from Primm Slim. He may be trying to read a corrupted file, but it would take more science knowledge to be sure.]"
(Primm Slim's dialogue) - ↑ The Lone Wanderer: "Any clue where I can find a Fission Battery?"
Butcher: "When we passed the maintenance room, I spied a deactivated Protectron inside. Just wrench open its access panel and you'll find it."
(Butcher's dialogue) - ↑ Protectron appearance across the series.
- ↑ Fallout: New Vegas loading screens: "The sturdy Protectron model of robot was created before the great war, and served as a security automaton in both the private and business sectors."
- ↑ Fallout 4 loading screens: "The construction model of protectron was built to take damage. Some versions also come equipped with an internal nail gun, which they can utilize in combat."
- ↑ Fallout 4 loading screens: "The firefighter model of protectron is equipped with an internal cryo gun it can utilize in any combat situation."
- ↑ Fallout 4 loading screens: "The medic model of Protectron was designed to use its hands as a defibrillator. In combat, it utilizes this ability as a painful shock attack."
- ↑ Fallout 4 loading screens: "In combat, the police model of Protectron relies on strong melee attacks and a painful electric shock."
- ↑ Fallout: New Vegas loading screens: "The sturdy Protectron model of robot was created before the great war, and served as a security automaton in both the private and business sectors."
- ↑ Protectron: "Loading Personality: RobCo R04 V9 "Office Helper"..."
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: OfficeRobotTalk - ↑ Protectron: "Running default office protocol...ERROR. Loading daily agenda...ERROR." et al"
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: OfficeRobotTalk - ↑ Protectron: "Loading Personality: RobCo RS3 V4.1.6 "Utility Helper"..."
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: UtilityRobotTalk - ↑ Protectron: "Receiving Sewer Maintenance Routine. Please Hold. Link Terminated."
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: UtilityRobotTalk - ↑ Protectron: "Critter of unusual size detected. Running Program: Extermination."
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: UtilityRobotTalk - ↑ Protectron: "Loading Personality: RobCo RX2 V1.16.4 "Vault Helper"..."
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: VaultRobotTalk - ↑ Protectron: "Remote start activated, loading Vault protocols. Please hold."
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: VaultRobotTalk - ↑ Protectron pod appearance and placement context.
- ↑ Protectron terminal
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Private Entry #2
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Regarding New Protectrons
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Private Entry #1
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Private Entry #3
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Private Entry #4
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Private Entry #5
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Private Entry #6
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