Robot
Robots in the context of The Ministry are fully (or mostly) sentient beings that can be either humanoid, animalistic, or none. The creation of robots was made possible during the Great Digital Enlightenment thanks to technological advancements brought on by that event. Humanoid robots have rights similar to that of biological humans, with certain restrictions or limitations. There is no known law of robotics that is legally enforced.
History
Early history
Early robots have existed in some shape or form for centuries before the Enlightenment. However, the Enlightenment allowed for the "soul/software" (ex. DIOS (Digital Intelligence Operating System)) to blend with the "body/mechanics", and form life. The topic of the 'first robot' has been widely disputed, and since most early robots were developed independently, there is no verifiable way to confirm the true first. There are various reports of true robots being brought to life as early as 1980.
Further advancements
By the late 1980s, robots had become more common and included a greater range of function. By 1989, the first laws were passed regarding regulation and identification practices for all robots.
Robotic rights
The topic of whether or not robots have true souls has been debated since before their inception. By 1993, we begin to see a greater discussion regarding the overregulation of robots as conscious individuals.
International regulation
Robots have long been subject to intense rules and regulations regarding their existence. Unlike biological humans, robots are considered property by law and are treated as such. Upon creation, they are assigned a serial number containing identifiable information such as industry, build date, and the licensed entity that authorized their construction.
| Code | Industry Title |
|---|---|
| 10 | Government |
| 20 | Education |
| 30 | Science |
| 40 | Technology |
| 50 | Agriculture |
| 60 | Arts, Entertainment |
The industry code related to which service the robot was built to perform, and not the service relative to the company which built it. Each industry can have sub-codes for further identification. Please see robot identification for more information.
