Synthetic

Synthetic
A synthetic. Note the near-identical appearance to a penguin.
Nationality	Varies
Other names	Android, Artificial Penguin
Occupation	Anything they are instructed
Height	Varies
Weight	Varies
Signature

Synthetics, also called androids or — as some synthetics themselves prefer to be called — "artificial penguins," are bio-mechanical robots that closely emulate penguins in both appearance and actions. The first Synthetic, David 1, was created on Ed Island in 2019.

Overview

Although an android's cosmetic appearance would seem to be a superfluous feature, practical experience has shown that most penguins are psychologically unable to interrelate with an inpenguin-looking android; as a result, the physical appearance and simulated behavior patterns of android units are designed to particular specifications. Their personalities, idiosyncrasies aside, can best be described as passive or non-threatening.

The modern Synthetic is a highly complex machine: stronger, faster and better coordinated than an average penguin. The basic chassis is a carbon fiber skeleton with latchment point for the artificial musculature. The muscles themselves are vat-grown silicon colloids powered either by pumped micro-hydraulics or electrical stimulation. Power for the android is supplied by a 25 kW hydrogen fuel cell with a life of approximately 400 days between refueling. This power cell is located within the android's chest, and access is via a hidden socket located just underneath the rib-cage. Charging time can vary, though it usually takes at least 72 hours to fully charge the standard power cells fitted into modern day androids.

As in a penguin, the skeletal structure is inherently unstable and is effectively suspended by the musculature. No limb locking, joint motorization or gyrostabilization is present as in other anthropomorphic frames such as regular robots; instead, the muscles must work actively to keep the chassis standing upright while active feedback systems control its stability. Though the muscles can withstand considerable wear and tear, the lack of self-repair capabilities means they will eventually lose their strength and become increasingly elastic over time. Regular overhauls are required to maintain efficiency, and individual elements should be replaced every two years, depending on workload. Muscle layout and operation, as with certain other internal function, are homologous with those of the penguin body. The circulatory "blood" is a form of white liquid latex used to lubricate their interior systems.

Intelligence and Personalities

Synthetics designed for close social interaction with penguins are able to eat and drink, though they gain no nutrients from anything they consume. Food and drink is broken down in an artificial stomach cavity, and the resulting waste is converted into fuel for their internal power mechanisms. All Synthetics, even those of the same model, have their personality "randomized" with unique quirks as they leave the production line, making each unit subtly different from its peers in terms of character. Androids display synthesized emotion, superficially register self-awareness and, most importantly of all, have the ability to reason, conceptualize and offer opinion. However, these capabilities do not infer penguin-like consciousness, even though for all other intents and purposes synthetics are artificial intelligence.

Though synthetics do not require a breathable atmosphere, hostile environments are still damaging — corrosive atmospheres will melt them, extreme pressure will squash them flat and hard vacuum will explode them. Even prolonged exposure to low atmospheric pressures can cause barotrauma and ebullism in a Synthetic unit due to the high proportion of fluid colloids used in the manufacture of its musculature and skin. While they are waterproof, their internal workings are extremely vulnerable to hydro-static shock; an android immersed in water that has been damaged to the point where internal workings are exposed risks being electrocuted.

Specifications (Ed Laboratories David 8 Ad)

Overview

• Technological: David 8 is a perfect confluence of technologies. His advanced cybernetic vision has been further improved to include focus-adjust in low light conditions. And a new global location mapping algorithm identifies David 8’s coordinates and returns him to a pre-programmed rendezvous point. David 8’s Pursuance Protocol ensures quality performance: given a project to complete, David 8 will see it done.
• Intellectual: With a fluid intelligence on the order of 10¹² neurons or 200 petaflops, David 8 exhibits twice the neural net capacity of penguins. The new sensory-data processor in David 8 combines perfect penguin reasoning with the most advanced cybernetic computing power. Owing to such technology, David 8 can function autonomously in any penguin environment, displaying complex penguin intellectual traits such as curiosity and self-motivation towards a final objective.
• Physical: An advanced polyurethane coating replicates the biological properties of penguin skin to exact texture, pliability and tensile strength. Color varying carbon-fiber feathers give David 8 the friendly penguin appearance. With a cadmium alloy endoskeleton, David 8’s frame can withstand over 1,000 pounds of compression force. Micro-distributed accelerometers provide ultra-keen kinesthetic awareness. And as a new design feature, David 8 has been programmed in several common sports modes; he now enjoys basketball, tennis, snowball fights and more.
• Emotional: For David 8, Ed Laboratories' emotional encoding software has been redesigned to include recognition of thousands more facial expressions than previous models. Proprietary expression mapping sensors allow David 8 to interpret critical penguin emotional states. The evaluation process happens at synaptic speed, instantly sending thousands of micro-facial movements into effect, giving David 8 a remarkably natural, penguin response.

Communication

David 8 is fluent in all known languages through a dialectic implant and can infer the linguistic components of entirely new languages if encountered. Communication between penguins and David 8 should feel entirely fluid and natural. He instantly recognizes the tone and timbre of a new voice and will register it with his database.

Maintenance

Unlike previous models, David 8 can conduct all of his own maintenance procedures. He constantly monitors the degradation of his high-turbidity hydraulic fluid and will replenish at regular intervals (bi-monthly for most mixed-use applications). His zero-loss lithium ion cells are guaranteed for the life of the product. Major repairs or physical damage must be addressed through an authorized Ed Laboratories Cybernetics facility.

Mind and Memory

• Fluid intelligence equivalent of 10¹² neurons (200 petaflops)
• 3D kinematics guidance center
• Fear center safety program (can be disabled)
• Advanced emotional encoding
• Facial recognition via proprietary expression mapping
• Unlimited memory

Trivia

• As of 2023, there was an estimated one synthetic for every 500,000 penguins.
• Other species, such as Puffles, often claim that there were never plans for Synthetics of their species. Ed Laboratories denied this (despite it being true), and immediately began pre-production of Puffle Synthetics.

See Also

• Ed Laboratories