“Do not be alarmed. Law and order will be restored shortly.”— A typical protectron phrase
Protectrons are robots encountered in the Capital Wasteland in 2277.
Background
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]
Many protectrons were commissioned by the U.S. Army before the Great War. They are painted a dark olive drab with a white star on their chest. These mechanized soldiers still wander the wastes, attacking everything from radroaches to Brotherhood Outcasts. Interestingly, the Brotherhood Outcasts use their own protectrons which are painted in red-and-black. The Pitt adds a new variety of protectron called the "factory protectron," which lacks a glass dome but possesses a single ocular lens, and a cage around the combat inhibitor. The top of where the dome would be appears to be made to look like a construction hard-hat and the body has a yellow coloration. Broken Steel adds "Enclave protectrons", which appear to be much newer, with red glass domes and a polished steel-gray finish. A special red-painted protectron appears at the House of Wares in Point Lookout.
Protectrons in various areas have been programmed differently; the protectrons in the Nuka-Cola Factory for example, mention that they are operating under the authority of the Nuka-Cola Corporation as they attack you, with the words "Nuka-Cola!" being dubbed in from an exterior source. Other protectrons have even been supplied with sophisticated personalities, such as Button Gwinnett and Dean Dewey.
A protectron with the basic personality loaded can execute 'sequences', lists of tasks to complete, such as patrolling an area for intruders. Some sequences may have been added by RobCo Industries, while others were written by robotics technicians at the locations where they are used. When not in use, a protectron unit is stored in a base pod, which also charges its battery. The protectron is connected to its base pod via radio uplink, and the pod is in turn linked to a control terminal or computer system.
Characteristics
Specifications
Protectrons have a glass dome that acts as an ocular lens that allows the protectron to scan its surroundings and act accordingly. In this glass dome is a laser emitter that shoots a high-powered laser. This laser is also in both "hands". The body of a protectron can swivel up to about 90 degrees to either side before having to step into a different position.
All protectrons come with a combat inhibitor mounted on their back that allows them to selectively target opponents. The combat inhibitor is generally left exposed, making it easy to disable when approaching a protectron from behind. If the combat inhibitor is damaged too badly, the robot will fly into a frenzy, automatically targeting the nearest possible target regardless of affiliation.
Gameplay atrributes
All protectrons have three laser weapons: one in each arm and another in their domed head. Like most robots in Fallout 3, the protectron has a combat inhibitor on its back. Crippling this part of the robot will cause it to frenzy and start attacking any nearby creature regardless of affiliation. This condition will persist until the robot is disabled or destroyed.
Variants
Protectron
These may be found roaming many parts of the wasteland. The player's first encounter with one may be Deputy Weld outside Megaton, but they will be found in many other places. Protectron carcasses are not uncommon, as robots will frequently attack stronger non-player characters, often with fatal consequences to themselves.
Metro protectron
Metro protectrons are protectrons found in many metro stations. When approached, they will ask for a metro ticket from the player. If the player possesses a ticket, then it will be automatically removed from their inventory. If the player does not possess a ticket, the protectron will instead turn hostile. When presented with a ticket, the protectron will remain friendly, continuing to walk around the metro station and attacking enemies. These potential targets include a variety of common hostile creatures such as raiders, feral ghouls, super mutants, and so on. Metro protectrons have the same stats as the standard Protectrons, despite their mundane function.
Nuka-Cola security
This model of proctectron is only found on the Nuka-Cola plant's factory floor. They are easily identified due to their distinctive color scheme, possessing red highlights on their head and hands, with the logo of the Nuka-Cola Corporation emblazoned on their body. Due to their role as guards, they will attack any perceived trespassers on sight. When attacking the player, they may occasionally shout "Nuka Cola!"
Factory protectron
This model of protectron can be found in the Nuka-Cola plant's storage and mixing vats room, along with a nukalurk. It is located in a holding pod and can be activated by a nearby terminal. If activated, it will then begin to patrol the room, confused but friendly. Factory protectrons will request to see the player's office ID, and if the player does not have an ID in their inventory the Protectron will become hostile. If an ID card has been acquired then the Protectron will remain friendly towards the player, but will still attack opponents such a raiders, mirelurks, super mutants, etc.
Maintenance protectron
This protectron only appears during the quest Reilly's Rangers, found in a storage room of the Statesman Hotel's restaurant in a deactivated state. Once the Lone Wanderer's broken through to the roof, Butcher will ask to for its fission battery to be retrieved, so it can be used to repair the broken elevator.
Backup protection unit
A one of a kind named protectron model, which is locked up in a holding pod in the National Archives' Archival Strongroom. The player will encounter it (and be able to activate it) during the last part of the quest Stealing Independence, just before going back up again by elevator. It has the same appearance as Button Gwinnett, most likely because this robot was in standby in case Button Gwinnett broke down. Once activated it will walk around, and remain friendly.
Outcast protectron
This protectron model has been reprogrammed by the Brotherhood Outcasts, and is generally found being used as a sentry or to supplement Outcast patrols. One can be found patrolling the overpass bridge near Fort Independence, while others may be randomly encountered with Brotherhood Outcast patrols near Vault 101 or the Scrapyard. Outcast protectrons do not have the blue color of the common protectron, nor the typical Outcast red paint job, but are instead decorated with a rusty, brownish color. They will sometimes refrain from assisting other Outcasts, such as during the Raider attack on Fort Independence.
Notes
- Although the official trailer depicts all metro protectron units as having a "Taxi" paint-job, only the Old Olney protectron and some deactivated protectrons in the Robot Repair Center have this color scheme.
- When activated a Metro protectron will attempt to contact computers at Metro Central, but doesn't receive any response, because of that it's authorized to use lethal force.
- If you have a follower they will not be attacked by a Metro protectron, despite not having a ticket.
- Due to their primary weapon being similar to a laser pistol, they are ineffective at long-range attacks.
Notable quotes
- "Put down your weapons and submit to authority."
- "Critters of unusual size detected."
- "Tickets, please."
- "Law abiding citizens have nothing to fear."
- "Commencing lawful use of deadly force."
Notable protectrons
Appearances
Protectrons appear in Fallout 3.
Behind the scenes
Protectrons are modeled after Robby the Robot from the 1956 sci-fi movie, Forbidden Planet.
Bugs
- PC
Protectrons are known to have physics glitches when laying dead in ragdoll mode, specifically when transiting from a cell via doorway into one with a dead protectron in it, or when loading a saved game with a dead protectron in the vicinity. When this happens, they get flung high into the air, or will jiggle as if being electrocuted.
- Xbox 360 Sometimes protectrons are rendered as allies, but will attack on sight. Sometimes the compass will still render the protectron allies, until you kill or knock them down.
- Playstation 3 Even if one or both of a protectron's legs are crippled, they can still run normally.
- PC Sometimes a protectron will literally fall out of the sky to be crippled on impact.
Gallery
Video
- ↑ Fallout 4 loading screens: "The RobCo Protectron was constructed for a multitude of civil service applications, from security to firefighting."
- ↑ The Wastelad video game was first published in 2063 and features malfunctioning Protectrons as enemies
- ↑ 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)
- ↑ General's Steakhouse Protectron/Dialogue: "My internal temperature is 1000 degrees. The perfect temperature for broiling steaks."
- ↑ Protectron appearance across the series.
- ↑ 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."
- ↑ Protectron: "Loading Personality: RobCo R04 V9 "Office Helper"..."
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: OfficeRobotTalk
- ↑ Protectron: "Running default office protocol...ERROR. Loading daily agenda...ERROR." et al"
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: OfficeRobotTalk
- ↑ Protectron: "Loading Personality: RobCo RS3 V4.1.6 "Utility Helper"..."
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: UtilityRobotTalk
- ↑ Protectron: "Receiving Sewer Maintenance Routine. Please Hold. Link Terminated."
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: UtilityRobotTalk
- ↑ Protectron: "Critter of unusual size detected. Running Program: Extermination."
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: UtilityRobotTalk
- ↑ Protectron: "Loading Personality: RobCo RX2 V1.16.4 "Vault Helper"..."
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: VaultRobotTalk
- ↑ Protectron: "Remote start activated, loading Vault protocols. Please hold."
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: VaultRobotTalk
- ↑ Protectron pod appearance and placement context.
- ↑ Protectron terminal
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Private Entry #2
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Regarding New Protectrons
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Private Entry #1
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Private Entry #3
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Private Entry #4
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Private Entry #5
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Private Entry #6
