Tech Level Comparison Chart

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The Tech Level Comparison Chart was developed by the IISS, based upon research dating back to the earliest First Imperium publications. This has recognized the importance of technology and developing a comprehensive system of classifying technology.

Area Technology Levels

The default Technology Level scale describes a general advancement of technology. However, few cultures follow the exact pattern of technical achievement in theoretical science implied by the standard TL system. [1] The Technological Profile divides the Technology Level a number of areas (known as Area Tech Level or ATL), each assigned an individual level index.

Theoretical technologies

The Theoretical technologies underlie all the other advancements. In the condensed form the Technology Level combines the knowledge of the workings of the physical universe with the ability to use that knowledge to produce useful goods and services. Within the technological profiles, these two items have been split into separate items.

Where the theoretical technologies exceed the base TL or the levels of other

Physical Science
The real theoretical understandings of the physical universe. Covers the areas of physics and chemistry.
Material Science / Manufacturing
The technology of material processing and manufacturing. The processes required to take raw materials and process them into functional and usable goods.
Biological Science
The theoretical workings of biology and life forms.
Cultural Science
The workings of how a society is organized and works together to produce and use tools. Include education of the next generation of workers to extend and expand technology.

Quality of Life

Quality of Life technologies are essential to the world's quality of life. These are the basics of technology building on the Theoretical technologies.

Energy
Energy technologies are the ability to produce, store, and make use of energy for all purposes.
Information / Communications
Technologies involving information processing and communications. This includes computer technologies and the core technologies for robotics.
Medicine / Life sciences
Technology involving the care and healing of living things, applied biological sciences, and genetics.
Environment
Technology involving the maintenance of ecosystems. This includes the ability to avoid damaging the environment, reconstruct damaged ecosystems, and Terraforming planets.

Transportation

Technologies for moving goods and people, including the design of vehicles and other transport systems.

Land transportation
Motive transportation on the Ground, including wheeled and tracked vehicles, walkers of all types, and sleds.
Water
Motive transportation on water, including rafts, boats, and submarines.
Air
Motive transportation through the air, including planes, helicopters, balloons, and Grav craft.
Space
Motive transportation through the depths of space.

Military

Military technology combines the quality of life technology area with a very specific nature with the Transportation technology. This covers weapons from personal sized to starship mounted weapons system, defensive systems and sensor systems.

Weapons Technology
The offensive portion of military technology.
Defensive systems
The defensive portion including armor, camoflauge, active defensive systems, and screens of various sorts.
Sensors
Sensors systems are the eyes of military technology, combined with vehicle system and computer technology to make robots.

Technology Comparison Tables

The Comparison tables divide the general technology level into four broad areas, which are then further divided into related technologies. While the system presented here is widely used in the Imperium, it is by no means universal. There are several alternative profile systems in use.

Theoretical Technology

Theoretical Technologies
TL Physical Science Material Science Biological Science Cultural Science
0 Animistic explanations Found materials: Stone, wood, grasses, bone, fur Useful animals are domesticated Tribal gatherings
1 Engineering by estimates, Astronomy Metal working, quarried stone Selective breeding Settlements, Towns, Ethic groups, Kingdoms
2 Telescopes Hard steel, cement, concrete Understanding of Anatomy, microorganism Cities, Nations
3 Laws of motion, engineering by math Steel as structural material Theory of evolution, germ theory of disease Democracies
4 Skyscrapers, armored vehicles Medical theories are further advanced
5 First estimates of Quantum mechanics and relativity Plastics and other synthetic materials Biochemistry, discovery of viruses Dictatorships
6 Theory of Electronics Fiberglass Superpowers, global nation states
7 Classification of quantum mechanics Composite and advanced ceramics Discovery of DNA, Genome mapping
8 Grand Unified theory for gravity control, Photonics Micro-level manufacturing, advanced composites Gene therapy, Systems ecology
9 Detailed gravity manipulation, Jump space described Crystaliron, industrial composite metals, Fluidics Introduction of Cybertechnology
10 Non-geographic communities
11 Magnetics Computer implantation
12 Unified theory to manipulate strong and weak forces Superdense materials Nanosurgery, brain implants
13 Completed theory of biologics First detailed theory of aging Widespread robotic workforce
14 Creation of gravity fields at a distance Industrial Nanotechnology, Bonded Superdense Theory of memory, Geneering, Personality Transfers
15 Unifying theory for normal and jump spaces Full understanding of immune systems and aging
16 Discovery of Hop space Collapsed Crystaline Artificial persons
17 Coherent Superdense
18 Enhanced Coherent Superdense
19 Discovery of Skip Space
20
21 Deconstruction of Cities


Tech Level Written Word (News & Entertainment) Audio/Visual (News & Entertainment) Distribution/Storage (Education & Entertainment) Consumption (Personal Communication & Entertainment)
0 - Spoken Word Town Crier / Oral Tradition/Storytelling -
1 Handwriting/Calligraphy Music Paper/handwritten media -
2 Printing Press/Typesetting - - -
3 - Etch Printing, Photography Telegraphy Community/commercial/government telgraphy offices
4 Linotype Printing (mass printing, illustrated printing Motion Pictures, Telephony Motion Picture film Community or home telephone sets, community motion picture theaters
5 - Radio Broadcasting Teletype Home Radio Receivers
6 - Advanced Audio Recording, Television - Home Television Receivers
7 - Videotape Recording Institutional Computer Networks, Satellite Distrbution, Personal Computing Personal Computers
8 "Electronic Paper", rudimentary text translation - Ubiquitous Electronic networking Hand-held devices
9 On-Demand Text Translation Universal personal video - Ubiquitous embedded devices
10 Real-time Transcription Holovision - Holoviewers
11 - Integrated infostreaming - Personal Global Communications
12 - Real-time audio language translation - -
13 - Ubiquitous holovideo recording - -
14 - - - -
15 - Meson Communication - -

Quality of Life Technology

Quality of life Technologies
TL Energy Information Communications Medicine / Life sciences Environment
0 Muscles, Domestic Animals Memorization Spoken Word Mystics/Herbology Simple Structures, Primitive Agriculture
1 Water wheels, Wood and Charcoal, Windmills Abacus Writing, Paper Basic Diagnosis Settlements, Cities, Irrigation, Canals, Advanced Agriculture
2 Clockworks Advanced Mathematics Printing presses Internal Anatomy
3 Steam Engines, primitive batteries Photography, Telegraphy Crude Surgery Cement Structures
4 Electricity Mechanical Calculators Motion Pictures, Telephone Antiseptics, Anesthetics, Vaccination Skyscrapers
5 Petrochemicals, Steam Turbine, Electrical grid Electric Calculators Radio Broadcasting, Audio Recording Internal Imaging, Crude Prosthetic Sealed/Conditioned Cities
6 Nuclear Fission Electronic Computers, Television, Video Recording Reconstructive Surgery Weather Prediction, Underground Cities
7 Geothermal, Solar, Primitive Fuel Cells, Radiothermal generators Desktop Computers, Expert systems Computing Networks, Satellite communications Organ Transplants, Slow Drug Early orbital stations
8 MHD Turbine, Superconductors, Voice Transcription, Massive Parallel computers, Low Data Robots Hand Computer, Ubiquitous neworking, Fiber optic communications Full functioning prosthetics, Artificial Organs, Metabolics Orbital Settlements, Early Weather Control
9 Early Fusion Non-Volatile data storage, High Data robots, Voice command Holovideo recording and transmission Cyrogenics, Limb Regeneration Arcologies, Orbital Cities
10 Practical Fusion Early Synaptic processors Anti-Virals, Growth Quickining, enhanced prosthetics Practical weather control
11 Fusion+ Synaptic Learning Processors Nerve Refusion, Direct computer implantation Gravitic Structure Support
12 Advanced Fuel Cells Low Autonomous Robots, Positronic Brain Real-time Multilingual Translators Anti-geriatrics, Broad Spectrum Anti-toxins, Personality Recording Major Terraforming, Advanced Weather Control
13 High Autonomous Robots, Holographic storage Effective Cloning, Wafer Technology
14 Exotic Collectors Genetic Engineering, Memory erasure, Temporary Personality Transfer Ecopoiesis
15 Pseudo-Reality Computers, Meson Communicators, Pseudo-Reality Communications Anagathics Complex Terraforming
16 Low Artificial Intelligence robots Brain Transplants Global Terraforming
17 Early Antimatter Plants High Artificial Intelligence, Self-Aware Robots Intelligent Antibodies, Permanent Personality Transfer
18 Robots become Society's Basic Workforce
19 Non-cyrogenic suspension, Advanced Bio-engineering Total Terraforming
20
21 Early Total Rejuvenation
Quality of life Technologies
TL Energy Computers/Robotics Communications Medical Environment
0 Muscles Fingers and sticks Runners Mystics/Herbology Natural (Caves, Huts)
1 Water Abacus / Geometry, Trigonometry Long Distance Signaling Diagnosis Settlements, Towns (Irrigation)
2 Wind, Clockwork Algebra Printing press Internal Anatomy Cities (Canals, Roads)
3 Coal / Steam Calculus Telegraph, Audio Recording Surgery Cement Structures
4 Electricity Mechanical Calculators Telephone Vaccination, Antiseptics, Anesthetics Cities in Rugged/Desert Terrain, Crude Terraform
5 Petrochemicals, Internal combustion Electric Calculators Radio, Radar Mass Vaccination, X-Ray Sealed/Conditioned Cities
6 Nuclear Fission Electronic Computers (Large Model/1 bis) Television / Advanced Audio Recording Virus, Crude Prosthetics Skyscrapers, Weather Predict, Underground Cities
7 Solar energy, early Fuel Cells Desktop Computers, Expert systems, Model/2 Early Satellite, Video recording Organ Transplant, Slow Drugs Cities in Jungle Terrain
8 Geothermal Massive Parallel / Low Data, Model/2 bis Fibre optics Artificial Organs, Metabolics Orbital Settlements, Early Weather Control
9 Early Fusion, Improved Batteries Non-Volatile / High Data, Vocal I/O, Model/3 Video Telephone, Flat Screen Limb Regeneration, Cryogenics, Fast Drugs Arcologies, Orbital Cities
10 Fusion Plants Early Synaptics, voice transcription, Model/4 Holovision, Text Transcription Antiviral Vaccines, Cancer Cure, Growth Quickining Under-Sea/Under Ice Cities
11 Fusion Plants Synaptic Learning Processors, Hand Computers, Model/5 Personal Global Communications Nerve Refusion, Artificial Eyes Gravitic Structure Support
12 Fusion Plants, Advanced Fuel Cells Low Autonomous Robots, Model/6 Real-time Multilingual Translators Broad Spectrum Anti-toxins, Enhanced Prosthetics Major Terraforming, Advanced Weather Control
13 Fusion Plants, Miniature Super-Batteries Holocrystal Storage, High Autonomous Robots, Model/7 Holovideo Recorders Cloning of Replacement Parts, Reanimation Non-mobile Gravitic Cities
14 Fusion Plants Computer/Brain Implants, Model/8 Early Meson Communicators Genetic Engineering, Memory Erasure Mobile Gravitic Cities
15 Pseudo-Reality Computers, Pseudo Robots, Model/9 Meson Communicators, Pseudo Reality Communications Anagathics, Advanced Pseudobio Prosthetics Complex Terraforming Possible
16 Low Artificial Intelligence, Robots in all Facets Personal Meson Communicators, Personal Holovideo Brain Transplants, Crude Memory Transfer Global Terraforming, Hostile Worlds
17 Early Antimatter Plants High Artificial Intelligence, Self-Aware Robots Pocket Meson Communications Selective Memory Erasure, Intelligent Anitbodies Total Terraforming to 800Km worlds
18 Robots become Society's Basic Workforce Permanent Memory Transfer Total Terraforming to 4000Km worlds
19 Elemental/Limited Matter Transport Total Terraforming
20 Global Matter Transport Total Memory Transfer Mobile Worlds (Sublight)
21 System-wide Matter Transport Early Total Rejuvenation Mobile Worlds (Jump Space) & Rosettes
25 "Capsule" Dyson Spheres
27 Ability to create Ringworlds, access pocket universe
29 Rigid Dyson Spheres
31 Create Pocket Universe

Transportation Technology

Transportation Tech Comparison
TL Land Water Air Space
0 Foot - Animals Raft / Canoe - -
1 Wheel - Carts/Chariots Rowed Galleys, Small Sailing Vessels - -
2 Advanced Wheels, Stagecoachs Multi-Mast Sailing, Oceangoing sailing ships, Crude Navigation Experimental Kites -
3 Extensive Road, Trains, Railroads Steamships, Navigation Manned Hot Air Balloons -
4 Self-propelled vehicles Ironclads, World wide navigation Dirigibles, Early Gliders -
5 Ground Cars, Tracked Vehicles Personal Self-Propelled Boats, Steel hulls, Early Submersibles Airplanes, Seaplanes Unmanned Rockets, Satellites
6 Amphibian Vehicles, ATVs, AFVs Submersibles, Scuba, Amphibian Vehicles Early Jet, Helicopters Orbit capable Rockets
7 Hovercraft, High-Speed Trains Hydrofoils, Hovercraft Supersonic Jet, Hang Gliders Unmanned Space Probes, Gravitic Drive 1,2,3,4
8 Triphibian Vehicles Triphibian Vehicles, Early Artificial Gills Triphibian Vehicles, Hypersonic Jet Orbital shuttles, Space Stations, Gravitic drive-4, Maneuver Drive-1
9 Early Grav Vehicles, Ultra High-Speed Trains Early Grav Vehicles, Artificial Gills Early Grav Vehicles, Rocket Assist Suborbital Jump-1 possible, Sublight Stellar - NAFAL Drive, Maneuver Drive
10 Grav Vehicles UH Grav Modules Gravitic Maneuver

[2], Jump-1 certain

11 Personal G-Tubes, HV Grav Modules Jump Drive-2, ThrusterTechnology[2]
12 Personal Grav Belts, LT Grav Modules Jump-3
13 Grav Vehicles Merge with Orbital Spacecraft Jump-4
14 Grav Mobile cities Jump-5
15 Jump-6
16 Raw Material Only Short Range Matter Transport
17 Inanimate Only Short Range Matter Transport
18 Self-Aware Starships, living being portal based Matter Transport
19
20 - Mobile Planets
21 Multi Parsec Range Starship-Sized Matter Transport Portals Mobile Planets via Jumpspace

Military Technology

Military Tech Comparison
- Personal Heavy
TL Weapons Armour Weapons Armour
0 Club, Spear Fur - -
1 Early Weapons (Bow, Sword) Jack Armour Catapult Wood, Bronze, Iron, Crude Steel
2 Early Guns Small Cannons
3 Rifled Weapons Cannons
4 Cartridge Mesh Armour Howitzers, Gatling gun Soft Steel
5 Explosive Grenade, Shotgun Filter Mask Mortars
6 Automatic (SMG) Nuclear Weapons, Missiles Hard Steel
7 Grenade Launchers Cloth Armour, Flack Jacket Beam Lasers Composite Laminate
8 RAM Grenade Launchers, Early Laser Carbine Particle Accelerators, Target Desginated Missiles
9 Laser Weapons Ablative Armour Light Weight Composite Laminate
10 Advanced Combat Rifle Reflec, Combat Environment Suit Plasma Guns, Repulsors Crystaliron
11 Combat Armour Meson Guns
12 PGMP-12, Gauss Rifle Fusion Guns Superdense Armour, Nuclear Dampers
13 PGMP-13, X-Ray Lasers Battle Dress X-Ray Lasers
14 FGMP-14 Bonded Superdense
15 FGMP-15 Early Black Globes
16 FGMP-16, Plasma Rifle, Neural Gun Neural Shield Tractor Beam Black Globes
17 Fusion Rifle, Plama Pistol Disintegrators, Antimatter Warheads Coherent Superdense
18 Disintegrator Rifle, Fusion Pistol Personal Damper Long Range Disintegrator/Tractor Beam
19 Disintegrator Pistol Proton Screen, Plastic Metal Armour
20 Relativity Beam White Globes, Proton Beam
21 Relativity Rifle Personal White Globe Jump Projector Jump Damper

Non-Canon Technologies

News Media and Information Dissemination Technology

History & Background (Dossier)

Technology is the distinguishing feature of advanced civilizations. It underlies what being a sophont is.

IISS Chronological Periodization

Technology Comparison Chart

The Scout Service is responsible for categorizing the technological ability of a society. They rate this ability by the assigning of Technology Levels.

See also

Please refer to the following AAB Library Data for more information:
Technology:

Charted Space Technological Spectrum:


References & Contributors (Sources)

This article has metadata.
GURPS Traveller Notes: An array of notes regarding the similarities and differences between Traveller TL and GURPS TL can be found here: Tech Level Comparison Chart/meta
Mergedisputed.gif This article has two or more sources with conflicting information. Because the conflict has not been resolved, all sources are linked to this article.
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.
  1. ↑ Jon F. Zeigler. First In (Steve Jackson Games, 1999), 108.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 In GURPS Traveller: Interstellar Wars, this module appears in TL-8.
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