MPAD
Modular personal assistant droid
The MPADs primary purpose is to act as a personal assistant to members of the dark brotherhood. Its design is meant to be simplistic and small but may be upgraded with modular assets that improve its functionality.
At its most basic the “droid” appears as a circular black disk 10 inches in diameter with a 1/4 inch thickness at its thinest point. A small dome-shape rises from the center of the droid on either side of the disk. At the widest portion of this dome, the total width of the droid extends to approximately 1 inch. Ultimately this gives it a shape akin to a “flying saucer”.
Around the circumference of the droid are six small camera lenses which allow for 360 degree vision and processing.
The interior of the droid is remarkably simple. A small battery, repulser lift generator, and droid brain occupy the central portion. At present the repulser lift is fairly slow and can only power the droid to move at a walking pace. It is also very weak and cannot carry anymore than the basic frame. The battery itself is also fairly limited and will last only 3 hours of continuous use before requiring recharging. The droid brain is small and contains only limited complexity but comes in a variety of droid classes ranging from 1-4 depending on the needs of the member. While the basic droid has shortcomings however may easily be addressed given its modular nature (explained below).
On both the top and bottom of the droid are four circular “plug points” for a total of eight (four on each side). These “plug points” are key to the droids modular system allowing it to connect to and utilize the modules. Each module is shaped as 1/8th of a sphere with a small indentation allowing for the droids central dome.
These modules vary but in addition to their normal function, most are equipped with an additional battery and repulser lift system allowing the droid to float without slowing it or decreasing its battery life. If the user desires the systems overall performance increased they may instead opt to add in multiple modules containing expansions to the droids most basic functions; large batteries for extended life, more powerful repulsorlift for increased speed/force, expanded droid-braincases for greater processing speed and power, or high-powered cameras for enhanced vision and detection.
However most modules are based around the idea of increasing the droids unique functionality. At present numerous prototypes have been developed and are ready for testing. They have been subdivided into the subsequent droid classes they are most useful for;
Class 1
Medical scanner
Surgical tools
Bacta supply
Atmosphere mask/supply
Rebreather
Genetic analyzer
Centrifuge
Class 2
Maintence arms
Blow torch
Welder
Electrical discharge unit
Computer-access arm
Astromech tred
Hyperspace calculator
Hyperspace mapping system
Class 3
Holonet connectivity
User-input interface
Expanded professorship module;
ancient history
medical information
force philosophies
mechanical doctorines
physics theorems
archive scanner
Universal translator
Holoprojector
Etiquite module
Class 4
Blaster
Ion blaster
Slugthrower
Flamethrower
Tripod
Lightsaber catapult/lightsaber storage (requires two continuous module points)
Targeting computer
Range finder
Scope
Radar
Sonar
Global positioning tool
Mid-range commlink.
Shield generator (self)
Through this modular design and organization, the mpad may serve as literally any droid a dark brotherhood member could desire. Installation of the modules is minimal and requires virtually no prior experience or technical knowledge of droids. Simply take the module, establish that it is facing the proper direction relative to the droid, and plug it in. The droid will automatically register the module, update itself with the pre-programmed software for its proper use and maintenance. To the perception of organics, this update will occur immediately allowing the droid full use of new module.
Lastly, both the soft and hardware of this droid will be released to the dark brotherhood at large allowing for further modules to be designed, modified and manufactured as each member sees fit. It is through this networking of information that we hope to improve the droids functionality, increasing its durability, armor plating, battery life and additional integrated features such as camouflage and star fighter interfacing.