Some pAI improvements

[Nanako]

Being a pAI is fun, but there are a few things that could be done to improve it. I have some ideas, the amount of work involved varies. Some are simple, some will take lots of coding

These ideas are made with the design goal in mind, of allowing the pAI to be an effective assistant, and make its master's life easier. But without giving it too much direct influence on the world.

General Improvements. Apply to all pAIs

1. The pAI can only examine objects (shift+click) while in an unfolded form. , even though it can still see the world around it when being carried. This makes a certain kind of sense, but it's also a bit less fun, and wouldn't affect much either way. So my first idea: Allow the pAI player to examine objects at all times, not just while unfolded

2. ID scanning. A little more advanced. The pAI's master should be able to swipe their ID on it to register their identity and privileges. It should only accept the ID with its Master's name on it, and not just any ID they've stolen (because it's not a free Agent ID card). This will have a number of uses in later ideas.

3. Records Write access. After the owner has swiped their ID, and if they have the appropriate privileges to normally be able to do so, the pAI should be given write access to the appropriate records database (if it has the software for those records). So it can set people as SSD, add notes to the medical or security records, or set suspects for arrest. This would allow it to relieve the owner of some rarely-done clerical work

4. No accidental booping. When the pAI is clicked, that action should pet it, like with any other animal. In order to compress the pAI into card form, people should click and drag it onto themselves, the same way rollerbeds are folded. This would primarily protect from curious newbies who like to click interesting things.

5. Door opening. Follwing your master around in unfolded form is annoying, because airlocks won't open for you. Not even public ones which have no access requirements. The best solution here, is for airlocks to automatically scan the pAI, detect the privileges of the master's scanned ID, and open for them if their master would normally be able to open it. This could possibly be a software package rather than an inbuilt thing, if necessary.

6. Fix the medical scanner package.

It's mentioned over here that a pAI with the medical hud software can use a health analyser on its master, however i've not been able to find that feature anywhere, seems like it was lost. Bring it back please.

I wouldn't see any problems with even allowing the pAI to perform a deep/fullbody scan (like the scanner bed) since it can only use it on its master.

New Software Packages: More things to spend your memory on.

Clerical Software:

By FAR the most important idea here. even if the rest of this entire thread is ignored, add the clerical software

The Clerical software package would have three main effects

Firstly, the pAI gains an internal database of all corporate forms, and can print out copies of any of them on demand. It could also make a digital copy to hold in its internal buffer while editing, and print that out when done. This allows it to do clerical work while in its owners pocket, and on the move. If held, printed forms will be deposited into one of its master's free hands. Otherwise, dropped on the floor.

Secondly, the pAI can edit forms, as if it were holding a pen. Either clicking on ones adjacent to its master (while folded) or adjacent to itself while unfolded

Thirdly, if it's Master has the appropriate privileges, it can apply a department head's stamp to a document

This would allow the pAI to handle the majority of paperwork for its master, and free up department heads for more work and decision making if they so choose. Essentially allowing it to act like a secretary.

if it abuses this power, or stamps things you normally wouldn't, then you wipe it

Station Alerts software

this gives the pAI the ability to act as a portable alerts computer, allowing it to bring up a screen and see all the atmosphere, power, and fire alerts on the station. In addition, it will also gain the same capability that AI's and cyborgs have, of recieving an automatic notification whenever alerts trigger or get cleared.

An essential package for an engineer's assistant

Manipulator module

pAIs in unfolded form can already drag around very tiny objects, like pens. Taking this software would increase the maximum size of objects the pAI can drag. Ideally to allow it to drag around tools, bottles of medicine, plates of food, and other small but useful items.

In addition, the pAI would gain an internal storage, allowing it to pick up and hold one item that's normally small enough for it to drag around. Any item held in internal storage would be dropped on the floor when it folds up again.

Useful for sending it on fetch quests, to retrieve something from somewhere so you can continue working.

Camera Software

This software has no effect without an ID being scanned.

Once an ID is scanned, this software allows the pAI to view any camera network its owner would normally have access to through consoles in their department. if the master is Supply it can view the mining camera network. If the master is security or the captain, it can view any camera on the station, the interface would be identical to using a camera console.

PDA Link

This module allows the pAI to remotely control its master's PDA. It can do anything there, that the PDA would normally be able to do. If it has a built in health analyser, then it could scan anyone adjacent to its master (not to itself). It could turn on the PDA light, check the crew manifest, and even read and respond to PDA messages, which would appear to the reciever exactly as if the master had sent them personally.

This would obsolete a couple of other modules (Digital messenger, crew manifest, atmospheric scan), and so should have a considerable cost in RAM

Communication Module

Only has an effect after an ID is scanned. This would allow the pAI to both speak and hear on any channel its owner has access to (even while unfolded). Speaking is done with the normal :c :h :s :m :e keycommands, as if it were wearing its owner's headset. Should be very cheap.

Edited May 2, 2016 by Guest

[Guest Complete Garbage]

I don't play pAI very frequently. but I would do it more for sure if these ideas were implemented. I like the idea of pAIs acting kind of like laptops, with the ID scanned, there are more modules unlocked. PAIs could have the normal modules anyone can use, and then a special section for secure modules that need an ID swipe. In addition, perhaps have an emag-ability that unlocks all secure modules and also unlocks extra RAM for the pAI.

[Feorn]

I would endorse the majority of these improvements, except the guardian module and manipulator module. Having pAI work as more of a station AI lite would be fun.

The camera module would require a lot of camera network renaming I think, as last I checked, only engineering, sec and supply have their own network names on cameras. Could be wrong there.

I would expand the door opening module to include the same shift+click function to remotely open doors that the AI and cyborgs have, but keep the master ID access requirement. No bolting/electrifying/full door interface like borgs and AI have, just the shift+click to open.

As for the medical analysis suite, it does work, the option is under the Host Bioscan function. But I agree, it should be extended to allow scans on adjacent players..

The guardian and manipulator modules run contrary to what I feel like the idea of a pAI is. A small computer with a wireless interface. Although, I'm one of those who wouldn't have given them an unfoldable chassis either.

[Nanako]

As for the medical analysis suite, it does work, the option is under the Host Bioscan function. But I agree, it should be extended to allow scans on adjacent players...

 

I spent half an hour looking for it. I even ahelped and got aimless to spawn as a pAI and help, they didn't find it either as far as i'm aware.

If you're sure that this works, can you provide exact instructions on how to do it? Where this bioscan option appears

[Feorn]

Nah, you were right, the new nano UI version of the pAI software interface doesn't have it. I haven't played pAI since newcode.

[Butterrobber202]

I'ma fully support this. MINUS the Guardian mode, thats basicly giving them Cyborg like fuctions, and boo. While there are 2(?) pAI on the station to start, R&D could produce more. While this sounds amazing if the Cultists all got a pAI and assulted the Brig with them. We dont want to stray to far from the pAI's orgins. They are, by all accounts, Pesonnal AIs, like Robot PAs, they should handle the paperwork and Record Keeping, I'd almost hop back on the pAI bandwagon if this happened.

Recap, I do support this, just remove the Combat Mode.

[Feorn]

pAI are also currently available as a custom loadout option. I spawn in with them on a few of my characters.

[Nanako]

OP Updated to remove guardian module, it seems unpopular and i don't want it to drag down the rest of these ideas.

Clerical module is really essential, please