I'be been watching the Star Wars movies on HBO for the past few weeks and now the Star Trek movies are starting to play.

anyone notice that robots are suspicously missing in Star Trek?

Now I don't mean robots like c3po and r2d2 with human level intelligence but with the exception of Data and the exocoms in one episode, there are no robots even doing the least demanding tasks such as mail delivery or something.
All of the elements are present in Star Trek for robots to work:
1) anti-gravity for mobility
2) incredible memory storage chips for complex programming
3) software/hardware recognition capabilities to respond to the correct owner/people
4) animatronics capabilities as demonstrated in Data

I mean, they have Mark 1 EMH's scrubbing manifolds, why not mechanical robots?

Maybe the leading scientists and world leaders all saw the Animatrix and didn't want there to be even the possibility of a misunderstanding that starts up an android/robot uprising. :D

Seriously, tho, I've thought about it before. Maybe the human mass mentality just isn't right for it, I guess. They're afraid of slavery erupting, or maybe came upon a society early on that was decimated by automations? I mean, in TOS we've got two episodes with androids, right?

Other than that, I never could come up with a sound reason beyond "Because Gene didn't want it".

First, let's define our terms. By "robots," do we mean human-appearing androids? Or do we mean machines that look like machines, walking or rolling or floating around doing various jobs? What kinds of jobs? In what capacity would such devices be needed in the Trek universe?

Today, millions of robots are already in use, but they have specialized functions. They're used in industrial work (even if you've never visited an auto assembly plant, you've probably seen film footage of those Unimate industrial robots and their ilk spot-welding and painting car bodies). We also have mobile devices that clean floors in commercial and residential buildings, deliver mail and packages to offices, and pick parts from warehouse bins. And modern buildings are increasingly being "robotized"; that is, with automated climate control, automated lighting and security systems, automated entertainment and maintenance systems, etc., the building ITSELF, in essence, becomes a robot. And this is where all the sci-fi predictions of a future filled with "robots" have been wrong: Humanoid or semi-humanoid robots simply AREN'T NECESSARY. Think of a robot maid pushing a vacuum cleaner. Pretty silly, isn't it? Why not just invent a ROBOTIC VACUUM CLEANER?

In Star Trek's future, all onboard systems are constantly monitored by the ship's computer, and are, to a large degree, self-maintaining, self-diagnosing, and self-repairing -- a logical extrapolation of a trend that already exists today. The only area I can think of where small, dextrous robots may be increasingly used in the future is in the field of medicine and surgery. In the TOS episode "Journey to Babel," for example, poor Dr. McCoy is trying to perform delicate heart surgery on Sarek, even though he has no practical prior experience operating on Vulcans. And while the Enterprise is being blasted by enemy weapons! One would think that, by the 23rd century, surgical robots would be capable of operating more precisely and with less risk to the patient.

Other than that, what uses would there be for robots in the Trekverse? The Enterprise certainly doesn't need robot waiters or messmen -- they've got those damn slots in the walls everywhere!

Because, in 1966, any attempt at a mechanical robot with an episodic TV series budget would have looked hokey as hell and Roddenberry was smart enough to know that?
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And yes, the LIS Robot absolutely looks hokey. Which works in the context of such a silly series.

Because, in 1966, any attempt at a mechanical robot with an episodic TV series budget would have looked hokey as hell and Roddenberry was smart enough to know that?
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And yes, the LIS Robot absolutely looks hokey. Which works in the context of such a silly series.

If they really wanted to, they could have added robots in Star Trek. But what would the robot be used for on deck anyway? If future ships are supposed to be crawling with robots, why don't real ships have them today?

My take on the matter is along this line. When humans attempted to make the 'perfect' person by genetic manipulation, you ended up with a small group of 'genetic supermen' trying to rule the world and hence the Eugenics War.

After that I think humanity may be been extremely wary of creating anything that was physically/mentally superior to them. This includes artificial life. They chose not to make/use highly intelligent robots, either use specific or humaniform for the very reason of NOT creating something that could one day subjugate humanity.

Also consider that in "What Are Little Girls Made of?" we learn that an ancient civilization was destroyed by their android creations. And in "I, Mudd" a planet of androids planned on taking over the galaxy. I'm sure this isn't the first time humanity ran into a similar situation.

I can just see it now......"Warning! Warning! Doctor McCoy doesn't know what he's doing with my voice actuator!"

"Quit it, you bubble-headed booby. I'm a doctor---not an electrician!"

"That does not compute!.....Oh the pain, the pain!...."

I liked what B5 did along these lines.
Had drones to do exterior repairs and monitor the exterior of the ship.
How do they make exterior repairs in Trek?

There was the one episode of TNG where they had the cargo hauler thing in one of the storage bays that was not operating correctly.

I liked what B5 did along these lines.
Had drones to do exterior repairs and monitor the exterior of the ship.
How do they make exterior repairs in Trek?

There was the one episode of TNG where they had the cargo hauler thing in one of the storage bays that was not operating correctly.


In Trek, humans pilot worker bees with mechanical arms to do exterior repairs.
It's also mentioned in Trek, in TNG, that most of the Enterprise's functions were automatic. Like humans breathing, the Enterprise just "did" what it was supposed to. That, short of being in human form, is damn near the perfect robot. You work, live, play and learn inside a giant robot, that still performs for your enjoyment, life etc..etc..

The anti-grave platforms were still pushed around by humans. Turned on and turned off by humans.

First, let's define our terms. By "robots," do we mean human-appearing androids? Or do we mean machines that look like machines, walking or rolling or floating around doing various jobs? What kinds of jobs? In what capacity would such devices be needed in the Trek universe?


good point. My definition of robot for this conversation would be the autonomous, non-sentient entities that do the mudane work. For example, in Star Wars, we saw a little shoe-box shaped little robot rolling around on wheels. No articulation problems for special effects people.

I'm thinking that there would be robots that could do some of the dangerous work like delivering blood in a large glass jar to a hemoglobin eating cloud so they can explode an antimatter bomb.

But in regular society, some small robots could be used as delivery bots, home sentries, floor cleaners. etc. Now tell me what housewife wouldn't want that.

How do they make exterior repairs in Trek?Simple. One of the ship's automatic functions was to have the computer monitor the ship's status and, when necessary, tie into the replicators and transporters to create and beam repairs into place, thus returning the ship to it's original configuration.

Hey, it sounded good.

Redshirts are cheaper than robots. [and obviously everything is not self repairing or they wouldn't be there.]

Why no nuclear weapons or cruise missiles in Star Wars? The droids have big brains, and small fighters can zip around the big ships, so it would be a cheap obvious weapon.

In "The Ultimate Computer", the M-5 was built into the
Enterprise thus rendering it a giant robot.
When asked why Kirk resisted this improvement, Kirk said:
"There are still some things men must do to remain men."
(Not sure of the exact quote.)

A Starship crew must do those mundane things to foster
a sense of discipline. "Scrub that conduit, Ensign!"
He then aquires the instinct to follow orders. This is crucial
when faced with a life-or-death situation.
"Crawl into the engines and shut off the anti-matter flow, ensign!"
Instead of "WHAT?!", he says "Yes, Sir!"

They have plenty of robots in Star Trek-they just call them holograms.

. . . But in regular society, some small robots could be used as delivery bots, home sentries, floor cleaners. etc. Now tell me what housewife wouldn't want that.
http://peterthink.blogs.com/thinking/roomba_1.jpg[/IMG-LEFT]
And, as I pointed out, we already have those. But there wouldn't be much use for those sorts of robots aboard a starship -- and besides, just think of the cost to build even a few small prop robots. Creating Nomad for "The Changeling" alone must have eaten up half the episode's budget!


. . . Why no nuclear weapons or cruise missiles in Star Wars?For that matter, why no guided missiles or smart weapons in [I]Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, V, Buck Rogers, or dozens of other space operas in which opposing forces are always shooting at each other and missing? It's as if they've developed energy beam weapons to a high degree but they still depend on World War II gunnery techniques to aim the damn things!

And this is where all the sci-fi predictions of a future filled with "robots" have been wrong: Humanoid or semi-humanoid robots simply AREN'T NECESSARY. Think of a robot maid pushing a vacuum cleaner. Pretty silly, isn't it? Why not just invent a ROBOTIC VACUUM CLEANER?

Which would you rather have around:
http://www.scarlet.nl/%7Eivo/photo_ROSIE4.JPEG

or:

http://peterthink.blogs.com/thinking/roomba_1.jpg

One that looks like this..............

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/medium/Six.jpg

One that looks like this..............

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/medium/Six.jpg

OS makes a good point. I concur.

Which would you rather have around:
http://www.scarlet.nl/%7Eivo/photo_ROSIE4.JPEG

or:

http://peterthink.blogs.com/thinking/roomba_1.jpgFrankly, I'd rather have the Roomba. Takes up a lot less space, lower maintenance, and doesn't make smart remarks.

And, as I pointed out, we already have those. But there wouldn't be much use for those sorts of robots aboard a starship --

For that matter, why no guided missiles or smart weapons in Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, V, Buck Rogers, or dozens of other space operas in which opposing forces are always shooting at each other and missing? It's as if they've developed energy beam weapons to a high degree but they still depend on World War II gunnery techniques to aim the damn things!

Well, to your first question, someone'g gotta clean the floors, even on a star ship so there is a role for those kind of robots

As for smart weapons or guided missles on Star Wars, we have seen guided missles (or torpedos) used by Jango Fett when he fired one at Obiwan's fighter. It was homing in on his ship as basically a fire-and-forget missle. We've also seen photon torpedos in Star Trek home in on a bird of prey that was cloaked, and nuclear tipped missles fired at the Enterprise in Star Trek by the Onada in "For the World is Hollow and I've touched the sky" episode. A smart skipper missile was used in Wing Commander, etc. Many shows and movies have used smart, guided and nuclear weapons (as in War of the Worlds and Independence Day).

Getting back to the topic at hand. I still think that the use of non-sentient robots or robots for the less demanding every day tasks in the Star Trek world is missing. If our presend day society is any hint of what's to come, all one has to do is watch the Consumer Electronics Show and you'll see all kinds of robots and robotic devices on the horizone. There should be more in the Trek world, especially in the 24th century.

Old McDonald.

this is an interesting topic you've brought up. I think the reason you don't see robots in the Trek universe is because

a) you don't recognize them as typical robots doing chores. The transporter/replicator technology would handle many chores to the point where you wouldn't do traditional shopping or cleaning.

b) Remember what Kirk said (or maybe it was Daystrom) said about automated starships? "there are still somethings that men must do to remain men"? perhaps society did go thru a "let the robot do it" phase in the trek universe but the social fallout was so distasteful that mankind went back to a more hands-on approach.

just sayin'

Upon considering all the information provided by others, including all views to the contrary, I now agree with Ohio Southpaw.

Upon considering all the information provided by others, including all views to the contrary, I now agree with Ohio Southpaw.

With the availability of Holodecks where any woman in the world past or present can be created in a Holodeck, who needs a robot lover? And women can get thier kicks in there too effectively putting the porn industry out of business

But, I agree in the principles that certain tasks and endeavors like exploration should still be done by people to remain Human, still it's nice to have a robot that can clean up after Barclay makes a mess or to sweep the halls in a star ship. Tasks like these won't reduce Humans at all.

People like Boothby, at the academy, would still have the tasks of applying "creative" results with the gardening which no robot could do. Without sentience, creation could not be done as an art form, but a robot could sweep the walkways.

With the availability of Holodecks where any woman in the world past or present can be created in a Holodeck, who needs a robot lover? And women can get thier kicks in there too effectively putting the porn industry out of business

No, not really. Which industry would be the most likely to peddle the programs to make your fantasies come to life (no pun intended)?

still it's nice to have a robot that can clean up after Barclay makes a mess or to sweep the halls in a star ship.

Especially after the aforementioned holodeck fantasies. I mean, what human would want to do that job? :tongue:

That's what Baryon sweeps are for.
(Destroys all organic matter.)

With the availability of Holodecks where any woman in the world past or present can be created in a Holodeck, who needs a robot lover? And women can get thier kicks in there too effectively putting the porn industry out of business.[IMG-LEFT]http://www.critcononline.com/images/futureworld%20goodtimes%20vhs%20front.jpg[/IMG-LEFT]


Even with Holodeck technology, there may still be certain services that can only be properly rendered by good old-fashioned robots!

Did someone mentions Redshirts? oh yeah, me.

http://www.rabittooth.com/screwedV3.jpg

http://www.rabittooth.com/screwedV3.jpg

and an f word version;

http://www.rabittooth.com/screwedV2.jpg

[IMG-LEFT]http://www.critcononline.com/images/futureworld%20goodtimes%20vhs%20front.jpg[/IMG-LEFT]


Even with Holodeck technology, there may still be certain services that can only be properly rendered by good old-fashioned robots!

Especially when they look like Blythe Danner.

but a robot could sweep the walkways.

except in The Wrath Of Khan we see a human cleaning the floor outside the simulator room...

One thing to consider. If they are using robots for general housekeeping, just how much time would they be working on a particular stretch of corridor? And wouldn't they schedule this during the ship's "night" cycle? Or at least wait until the corridor was clear of traffic? In other words, they'd be working when the camera wasn't around.

There's a lot of day-to-day things that aren't elaborated on in TOS. For instance, we never see anyone bathing or using the toilet, but I think we can assume there are bathrooms on board. (It is kind of implied that that is what that third door in the officer's quarters leads to.) And there must be some sort of laundry on board. Not to mention a tailoring facility of some kind. (Considering how often the Captain has to replace his shirts.)

Just because we aren't specifically shown something doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Especially when they look like Blythe Danner.Actually, Yul Brynner was the robot gunslinger, reprising his role from Westworld, in Blythe Danner's fantasy dream sequence. Although I suppose with android technology, the likeness of any person, living or dead, could be re-created in a robot designed for VERY personal service -- assuming the licensing issues could be worked out!There's a lot of day-to-day things that aren't elaborated on in TOS. For instance, we never see anyone bathing or using the toilet, but I think we can assume there are bathrooms on board.)As David Gerrold mentioned in his book The World of Star Trek, five years IS a long time to hold it. . .