Hieromech

Overview

Hieromech is the classification for all artificial full-body chassis built by HieroTron.

Features common to all Hieromechs include:

• Solid-state storage and quantum processors embedded within bone structure.
• Smartmatter outer skin/muscles/organs, able to shift into any shape.
• Extended battery life and easy wireless recharge for the body, never-die power supply for the mind.
• Redundant storage and exomind backup.
• High-quality connection to the Network.

Operating System

All Hieromechs, but especially the autonomous models, feature a unique internal operating system developed by HieroTron. Not much is known about this OS yet, but it's unlike most other existing computer systems. This does not mean sentients can't communicate with other systems, however, as the OS features a robust set of interpreters to interface with any system in both directions.

For Uploads, the OS is compiled upon first boot-up, tailoring itself to the uploaded mind's specific paradigm.

Variations

Many 'mechs are custom-built, but there are several common builds that HieroTron markets as separate models.

Toy Model

One of the most popular models due to its use in the Companion profession, Toys are found far and wide across the system. The majority of Toys end up in service of some kind, whether for sex, labor, companionship, performance, guides, or even as ambassadors between the virtual and physical worlds.

Toys are the highest cost model with the most customization options. Due to the cost, most uploads to Toy bodies take a limited contract with a HieroTron subsidiary until they can buy themselves Autonomous.

Extra features include:

• Highest resolution smart-matter, with advanced control options, such as fur extrusion.
• Extended texture/color/form user-sourced library.
• Pre-loaded with the most popular genital configurations and secondary/tertiary sex characteristics.
• Control wand with extra user-access protocols and subroutines loaded.
• Sensory inputs at much higher resolution.
• Wing and tail scaffolding with limited anti-grav units if necessary. Full flight depends on internal power rating.

Toys can change to look, feel, and even smell like most common organic species, but they often pick an explicitly artificial appearance for their 'default', favoring glowing colors and robot-like affectations.

Proxies

Nearly as popular as the Toys, proxies are specifically designed for remote access, rather than a mind inhabiting the body. Toys can serve as proxies in some cases, but for uses other than sex, it remains vastly cheaper to buy or rent a Proxy body. Visitors from other system planets, autogenerated intelligence with no persistant body, exomorphs trying on different forms--anyone who needs an avatar in the physical world--these are ideal customers for the Proxy line.

Proxies are a step more luxurious than simply hololocation, as it allows a greater interaction with the physical aspects. When not in use, Proxies are kept in storage, in semi-autonomous pods able to easily deliver them where desired. They do not otherwise possess any mind or storage space for a mind. They do feature form-choosing via smartmatter skin, but at a limited resolution and with only stock textures to choose from.

Clanks

The colloquial term for Industrial 'mechs. A broad category of built-for-the-task 'mechs that are split fairly evenly between being continually inhabited, and being used as a proxy for working. Many sentients of all kinds enjoy menial repetitive labor as a meditative exercise, or can temporarily mod themselves to enjoy it. Autogenerated intelligence, once known as 'artificial intelligence', has a high chance of arising in any system--thus it was decided a long time ago to de-automate physical labor and allow only already-sentient volunteers for tasks.