Computer Technology of Charted Space

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Computer Technology of Charted Space: Computers are machines using various stages of information technology to perform increasingly sophisticated calculations, from the earliest clockwork Babbage machines, performing simple mathematical caculations, to the most advanced TL–15 computers performing sophisticated, heuristic maths. Self-Aware machines capable of achieving sentience, sapience, and full sophonce are projected to appear in the near future.

Description (Specifications)[edit]

Computers are rated according to a vast variety of characteristics and capabilities, but general quality paradigms have been established.

Computer Types[edit]

Computer:

Turing Test[edit]

[Once the machine thinking method has started, it would not take long to outstrip our feeble powers. 
... At some stage therefore we should have to expect the machines to take control, in the way that is mentioned in Samuel Butler's ‘Erewhon.’]
- Terran scientist, Alan Turing in 1951 CE, speaking about a future in which machines outperform humans intellectually.

A Turing Test is a test of artificial intelligence invented by a scientist from the Terran past. Modern versions of it are still in use within the Third Imperium. The Rule of Man established the test within Charted Space even though similar testing mechanisms existed within several sophont cultures including the Vilani Ziru Sirka.

The Turing Test is one of the best known tests for determining artificial intelligence ratings within Charted Space. It was developed on old Terra by a cryptological code breaker and mathematician named Alan Turing.
The Turing Test is essentially one of social interaction. Can a robot convince a conventional sophont that it is a fellow mind through natural conversation or dialogue that flows? Or does it fail, and appear obviously robotic?
Increasingly sophisticated Turing Tests have been developed over the millenia. AB-101 broke many records with its amazing sophistication and lifelike behavior. More breakthroughs are expected in the near future.

Turing Ratings[edit]

Turing Ratings
TR	Class	IQ	SQ	Remarks
Sub-Turing	X	X	X	X
Turing	X	X	X	X
Supra-Turing	X	X	X	X

History & Background (Dossier)[edit]

The development of Information Technology (IT) and particularly the key device of IT, the computer is a key advancement of any technological civilization.

Computer technology greatly assists in the advancement of knowledge. Scientists used it to better store, collate, and push out the boundaries of scientific knowledge. Linguists use it to catalogue known languages and improve universal translators. Bureaucrats use it to aid in process of governance, massively increasing efficiency.
Nearly every tech level of advancement leads to an exponential increase in pure research capability and a greatly sped up doubling of existing knowledge.
Computers and other forms of data processing and storage expand the extilligence of a civilization, which is to say its ability to pass on learning from one generation to the next.

Expected Computer Development Sequence[edit]

MACRO LEVEL:

Compass → Astrolabe → Sextant → Analog Computer → Electromechanical Computer → Electronic Computer → Positronic Computer → Pseudo-Reality Computer → Psychotronic Computer

Epochal Robotic Technology Periods[edit]

Computer Autonomy:

Information Age Societies (Calculative Computers)[edit]

Technological Period: TL:1-9 and Tech-Name: Ur-Tech
Common Characteristics: Digital Networks, High scarcity, Prototype Nanotech, Calculative ("Calculating machines"), Automatons, Low Autonomous Robots, etc.
Tech Epoch	TL-Range	Remarks
Tool Making Epoch	TL:1-3	COMPUTERS: The abacus and the quipu represent early calculating tech. they are simple, mechanical processors that help a sophont keep large numbers of calculations in memory. Mathematics makes great leaps forward with the development of algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.
Division of Labor Epoch	TL:4-6	COMPUTERS: The first analog computers and calculators greatly enhance business and academic endeavors. Mechanical and early electronic calculators become fixtures. Electric devices, polymers, and early electronics fuel continuing progress. Designers use classic Lovelacian programming and aspire to build the first Babbage machines. Many sophont societies can build processors that meet the Imperial standards for Model/1 and Model/1 bis processors.
Processor Epoch	TL:7-9	COMPUTERS: Programmable computers come into vogue as the analog is replaced by the digital. Transistors make way for microchips; desktop processors soon become a feature of home, business, and school. Massive parallel processors fill entire rooms and supersede earlier technologies. The first supercomputers can often beat even expert humans at games like chess due to phenomenal calculating abilities and vast memory banks. Photonic and gravitic energy transmission as well as bio-computing replace many of the earlier generations of electronics. Voice-activated processors are more user-friendly than ever before. Many societies can build processors that meet the Imperial standards for Model/2, Model/2 bis, and even Model/3 processors.

Bright Age Societies (Bright Computers)[edit]

Technological Period: TL:10-18 and Tech-Name: Stell-Tech
Common Characteristics: Intelligent Networks, Low Scarcity, Weak nanotech, Synaptic processors, Positronic Brains, Cognitive ("Thinking machines"), High Autonomous Robots, etc.
Tech Epoch	TL-Range	Remarks
Gravitics Epoch	TL:10-12	COMPUTERS: Synaptic processors and positronic brains are vastly more capable than earlier generations of processor technology. Some advanced robots can fool inexpert humans. Expert roboticists call these low autonomous robots. Still, a well-trained expert sophont can often outthink and outperform advanced thinking machines from this epoch. Fluidic and magnetic energy transmission increase processing speed. Semi-organic facility and early ship brains become common. Many societies can build processors that meet the Imperial standards for Model/4, Model/5, and Model/6 processors.
Biologicals Epoch	TL:13-15	COMPUTERS: High autonomous robots outperform many educated experts across many fields. They still can’t match the apex professors, but they can perform perfectly well at the professional level. Holocrystals and advanced bio-compumetrics are increasing functioning to billions of actions per nanosecond. Computer brain implants allow complete rehabilitation and restoration of function to almost all individuals who were formerly handicapped. Infomorphs and downloadable brains supplement wafertech. Pseudoreality simulators show amazing promise. Many societies can build processors that meet the Imperial standards for Model/7, Model/8, and Model/9 processors.
Artificials Epoch	TL:16-18	COMPUTERS: High autonomous robots outperform many educated experts across many fields. They still can’t match the apex professors, but they can perform perfectly well at the professional level. Holocrystals and advanced bio-compumetrics are increasing functioning to billions of actions per nanosecond. Computer brain implants allow complete rehabilitation and restoration of function to almost all individuals who were formerly handicapped. Infomorphs and downloadable brains supplement wafertech. Pseudoreality simulators show amazing promise. Many societies can build processors that meet the Imperial standards for Model/7, Model/8, and Model/9 processors. Hop Drives begin to use more advanced Ship's Computers.

Brilliant Age Societies (Brilliant Computers)[edit]

Technological Period: TL:19-27 and Tech-Name: Ultra-Tech
Common Characteristics: Delegative Rule (AI), Post-Scarcity, Strong nanotech, Emotive ("Dreaming or Feeling machines"), Self-Aware Robots, etc.
Tech Epoch	TL-Range	Remarks
Matter Transport Epoch, Transformations Epoch, and Psionics Epoch	TL:19-21, TL:22-24, and TL:25-27	COMPUTERS: Some Imperial scientists have quietly made the observation that psionic science may underlay future societal and technological developments. True Artificial Intelligence is another widely anticipated factor. It is anticipated that true artificial intelligence, thinking, feeling machines whose capabilities may exceed organic sophont minds may coalesce over this tech period, the Ultra Period.

Beyond Brilliance[edit]

Technological Period: TL:28-30 & TL:31-33 and Tech-Name: Dei-Tech & Omni-Tech
Common Characteristics: Delegative Rule (AI), Post-Scarcity, Strong nanotech, Emotive ("Dreaming or Feeling machines"), Self-Aware Robots, etc.
Tech Epoch	TL-Range	Remarks
Transcendent Epoch & Ascendant Epoch	TL:28-30 & TL:31-33	COMPUTERS: Even futurists have a hard time guessing what form electronics will take these tech epochs or even whether they will exist at all.

References & Contributors (Sources)[edit]

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

T5 Core Rules

Computer Technology of Charted Space

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