One of the most widespread and popular models in RobCo Industries' catalogue, 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] Produced from at least 2063, it's a compact, bipedal work drone with a pair of manipulators and integrated lasers for self-defense.[2] The large dome contains the primary optic sensors (usually three) 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][4] 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. However, the internal temperature of certain Protectrons can reach up to 1000 degrees for cooking foods, giving them extreme internal heat resistance.[5] The head assembly is typically shielded by a semi-transparent or opaque dome from reinforced glass. Although various hardware modifications were introduced before the war to enhance its effectiveness.[6][7]
Apart from the standard body, RobCo also offered construction drones with a shielded, reinforced head, emergency light, and internal power tools like nailguns.[8] Firefighter models with an internal cryo gun for fire suppression and additional protection from fire and debris.[9] Medic units with built-in defibrillators and[10] reinforced police models with tasers, stronger servomotors, and armored heads.[11] Even factory models could be customized with a variety of software and synthetic personalities to enhance its performance. This ability to customize made it a popular choice for both the private and public sectors.[12] These included the R04 V9 "Office Helper" personality[13] with integrated office protocols and scheduling software,[14] RS3 V4.1.6 "Utility Helper"[15] with remote maintenance routine download capability[16] and pest extermination programs,[17] and the RX2 V1.16.4 "Vault Helper",[18] with all the necessary Vault protocols.[19] Protectrons usually came with a special pod, for storage, maintenance, and recharging,[20] and the Standard Protectron Control Interface v2.40 installed on terminals connected to the pod and responsible for controlling Protectrons slaved to it.[21]
The introduction of the Protectron harmfully affected the situation of workers in the United States.[22] Although companies would deny that the introduction of robotic workers was meant to replace human workers,[23] the reality was that any company where Protectrons or other robots were introduced would soon see mass layoffs.[24] In one particular instance, a Pittsburgh steel mill decided to lay off all of its workers[25] citing budget cuts and the need to shut the plant down. When the workers started an occupation strike that turned violent,[26] the company simply allowed the new Protectron fleet to enter the facility and gun down the striking workers.[27][28]
Characteristics[]
Protectrons advance slowly towards enemies, utilizing long range weapons. Normal Protectron hand lasers deal little energy damage, but if equipped with railway rifles that they use as nailguns, such as the utility Protectrons in the Appalachian Automated Launch System missile silo reactor chambers, the damage can be staggering, if not fatal. Protectrons can also have their regular energy weapons replaced with melee weapons based on their profession, or even have the energy weapons modified to act as flamethrowers or tasers.
When within melee range of their target, Protectrons will simply swing their arms at their target, smacking them, dealing physical damage. Protectrons equipped with Robobrain treads instead of normal legs will also be able to ram an enemy by charging at them for heavy damage by thrusting their arms forward into the target upon impact.
If their arms are destroyed, Protectrons are rendered unable to use their melee or ranged weaponry. They will attempt a final suicide attack with setting their internal power cores to go critical, with the explosion equal to that of a mini nuke. Legendary Protectrons will explode two times, with the second one taking more time to occur and being larger. Once dismantled, Protectrons can be looted for aluminum, steel, or lead scrap, along with fusion cells for energy weapons.
A Protectron variant that would have been encountered in the unused random encounter BoS Mother and Son, in which Amelia and her son Michael would have argued next to it.
A red Protectron encountered in a missile silo. It is one of the section chiefs required to launch a nuke. It sports an Assaultron torso instead of the regular Protectron torso.
A red Protectron encountered in a missile silo. It is one of the section chiefs required to launch a nuke. It sports a Sentry Bot's upper body for its torso.
A red Protectron encountered in a missile silo. It is one of the section chiefs required to launch a nuke. It sports a Robobrain torso in place of the Protectron torso.
A red Protectron encountered in a missile silo. It is one of the section chiefs required to launch a nuke. It sports an Assaultron head in place of the Protectron head, and sometimes even charges the head laser, such as after taking damage.
Assis.Helps friends: Will help friends and allies.
Attack type (Attack damage)
Attack type (Attack damage)
Construction Protectron[]
These Protectrons can be found in and around Fort Atlas. They look like a regular utility Protectron and behave the same, and are equipped with either nailguns or claws.
These Protectrons act as part of the Wild West Showdown attraction at Nuka-World on Tour.
Fanatic Protectron[]
Steel worker Protectrons that have been reprogrammed by the Fanatics. They sport loader claws, a black paint scheme, Robobrain treads, and are extremely durable in combat. They are only encountered during Expeditions in The Pitt at Fanatic bases.
Fanatic Protectron suicider[]
Unarmored Protectrons on treads that are rigged to explode on contact with hostiles. They are only encountered during Expeditions in The Pitt at Fanatic bases.
Firefighter Protectron[]
Protectrons commonly found in fire stations, such as the Charleston Fire Department, and other areas where fires are common.
Gilman lumberjack[]
“Chop wood. Chop wood. Chop wood. Lumberjack Protectron works all day and all night.”
A Protectron encountered at Gilman lumber mill whose primary directive is to cut down trees. It may dispense wood when the player character interacts with it. It has been programmed to fear losing its job to "cheap human labor.[29] The lumberjack Protectrons always sport Robobrain treads to better move around the lumber yard while doing their work, and are armed with either axes, saw blades, or adjustable clamping claws for hands.
A red Protectron encountered in a missile silo. It is one of the section chiefs required to launch a nuke. It sports the head and one eye of a Mister Handy in place of the Protectron torso and head.
These are special police protections programmed to work as prison guards at Eastern Regional Penitentiary, during Patrol Duty. Two can be found in cell block B.
Protectrons that have been reprogrammed () by the Rust Eagles, sporting armor made from scrap metal with a horned helmet over their heads. Encountered during Test Your Metal.
A red-painted variant found in the Ash Heap assigned to deal with striking workers rebelling against having their jobs taken over by automatons. Found in Beckley and at Relay tower HG-B7-09.
A Protectron with Robobrain treads, allowing Protectron watchers to move quicker than regular Protectron models. Can be encountered with the regular Protectron legs instead of the treads.
A hostile Protectron, marked with a Watoga emblem or painted to wear a suit, located in Watoga. They become non-hostile upon completion of Mayor for a Day, and only attack threats from outside the city, such as the occasional war band of super mutants along the city's northern perimeter.
Protectrons that have been reprogrammed () by the Rust Eagles, sporting jagged armor and a human skull over their head. Encountered during Test Your Metal.
Red Rocket Protectron[]
A friendly red and white Protectron found at the Red Rocket Mega Stop during Waste Not. It can also be one of the random Protectrons found during the Rusted Protectron random encounter. They have painted the "Drive in, fly out" slogan on the back of their casings.
Utility Protectrons can be found within Monongah Mine. This type can be distinguished by its yellow hazard color scheme with a light on their heads. In close range combat, it will attack its target with simple punches. If its target is outside of melee range, it will attack with one or two nail guns, rapidly firing spikes. Utility Protectrons are also found inside the Appalachian Automated Launch System missile silo reactor chambers.
The Art of Fallout 3 states that during development, Emil Pagliarulo's input on every robot was to "make it more like Robby the Robot." The protectron's original design went through many iterations before artists settled on a design that has "the vintage character of Robby" and that "captures the quintessential 1950's robot character more than any other."[31]
↑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)
↑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."
↑Lumberjack Protectron: "Lumberjack Protectron does not want to lose lumberjack job to cheap human labor." (Gilman lumberjack/Dialogue)
↑Editor ID for this Protectron is "LC183_HomeEcProtectron"
↑The Art of Fallout 3, Robots p. 45: "Emil's input on every robot was "make it more like Robby the Robot!" and this was the mind-set we had in approaching the various mechanical creatures in the world. The Protectron is an original design that went through many iterations before settling on something that does have the vintage character of Robby, and we think he captures the quintessential 1950's robot character more than any other."
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