Chapter Two: Core Technologies
Power Cells: These are, of course, the famous RPCs. While they ostensibly can't be recharged, they don't get the benefit of the additional capacity described for non-rechargeable power cells. (Draw your own conclusions.) E-cells and the recently introduced F-cell -- the largest RPC that Roland has yet to introduce, starting in 2001 -- are LC3 (not LC4 like the book says) and registration requires a background check and several weeks wait. Flexible power cells don't exist, nor has anyone (as far as anyone else knows) ever found a way to make a power cell explode.
Generators: While the Flare fusion process is decidedly super-scientific, and does not seem to require radiation shielding, a semi-portable version of the reactor has yet to be developed. There's just not yet a reliable market for one.
Beamed Power: The "great white hope" of the modern power company in their competition with the Roland Power Cell corporation, it has yet to be made economically feasible. The expense of renting a receiver for about the same cost as a supply of RPCs that will power the equipment for the same amount of time is unattractive, and the RPCs can be returned for a partial refund when used up.
Computers: TL9 systems are relatively common, but much of the world still uses TL8 hardware and software. There are a number of highly advanced prototypes out there. The MV-2400 is a TL10 Fast High Capacity Macroframe (Complexity 11), and its AI program is of the same complexity (for an IQ of 16). Alpha-7's brain is equivalent to a TL 10 Genius* Personal Computer (Complexity 9, for an IQ of 12.) While there may be other Volitional AIs in existence by now, these are the two most famous. Also, printed computers are virtually unknown, as they would have to rely on unreliable solar power rather than non-existent flexible power cells.
Machine Intelligence Lenses: Any Cyborg Brains or Mind Emulations are one of a kind prototypes.
Biomorphic Lenses: While Realistic Flesh has been developed (in Japan, of course) it's still very rare. Neither Living Flesh nor Synthetic Organs are generally available. (That said, examples of both have been documented, such as were recently encountered by Dr. Robbins of the Las Vegas Medical Examiner's Office during an autopsy, but such were likely one of a kind prototypes.)
Swarmbots: None have been documented. (Sing it with me, "one-of-a-kind, prototyyyyyype".)
Personal Items: Any TL9 item that doesn't rely on printed computers is available. (Cleaning gel, for example, is available through mail order, both on television and the internet, for the low low price of $19.95, that's right, just $19.95!)
Entertainment: Under the heading of Electronic Ecstasy, only the neurostimulator is commercially available, under the brand-name of "the Rabbit".
Recreational and Personal Robots: TL9 models are available, but very rare! Custom designs that "resemble real people" are currently illegal, as there are a number of lawsuits pending against companies that used the appearances of real celebrities in their products without permission.
* "Hastings is said to have improved the design."
Power Cells: These are, of course, the famous RPCs. While they ostensibly can't be recharged, they don't get the benefit of the additional capacity described for non-rechargeable power cells. (Draw your own conclusions.) E-cells and the recently introduced F-cell -- the largest RPC that Roland has yet to introduce, starting in 2001 -- are LC3 (not LC4 like the book says) and registration requires a background check and several weeks wait. Flexible power cells don't exist, nor has anyone (as far as anyone else knows) ever found a way to make a power cell explode.
Generators: While the Flare fusion process is decidedly super-scientific, and does not seem to require radiation shielding, a semi-portable version of the reactor has yet to be developed. There's just not yet a reliable market for one.
Beamed Power: The "great white hope" of the modern power company in their competition with the Roland Power Cell corporation, it has yet to be made economically feasible. The expense of renting a receiver for about the same cost as a supply of RPCs that will power the equipment for the same amount of time is unattractive, and the RPCs can be returned for a partial refund when used up.
Computers: TL9 systems are relatively common, but much of the world still uses TL8 hardware and software. There are a number of highly advanced prototypes out there. The MV-2400 is a TL10 Fast High Capacity Macroframe (Complexity 11), and its AI program is of the same complexity (for an IQ of 16). Alpha-7's brain is equivalent to a TL 10 Genius* Personal Computer (Complexity 9, for an IQ of 12.) While there may be other Volitional AIs in existence by now, these are the two most famous. Also, printed computers are virtually unknown, as they would have to rely on unreliable solar power rather than non-existent flexible power cells.
Machine Intelligence Lenses: Any Cyborg Brains or Mind Emulations are one of a kind prototypes.
Biomorphic Lenses: While Realistic Flesh has been developed (in Japan, of course) it's still very rare. Neither Living Flesh nor Synthetic Organs are generally available. (That said, examples of both have been documented, such as were recently encountered by Dr. Robbins of the Las Vegas Medical Examiner's Office during an autopsy, but such were likely one of a kind prototypes.)
Swarmbots: None have been documented. (Sing it with me, "one-of-a-kind, prototyyyyyype".)
Personal Items: Any TL9 item that doesn't rely on printed computers is available. (Cleaning gel, for example, is available through mail order, both on television and the internet, for the low low price of $19.95, that's right, just $19.95!)
Entertainment: Under the heading of Electronic Ecstasy, only the neurostimulator is commercially available, under the brand-name of "the Rabbit".
Recreational and Personal Robots: TL9 models are available, but very rare! Custom designs that "resemble real people" are currently illegal, as there are a number of lawsuits pending against companies that used the appearances of real celebrities in their products without permission.
* "Hastings is said to have improved the design."