Weaver Utility/Construction Frame

The DEF-M3 “Weaver” is a rugged, utilitarian frame purpose-built for construction projects in space or difficult/unusual terrain. It has two smaller drone variants, the DEF-O1 and DEF-O1s, that have similar features.

Its built-in OHI multistruct¹⁾ allows it to “print” structures on-the-spot.

First introduced to the market in YE 45.

During the development of the DEF-M2 "Bee", Default realized that the humanoid form isn't perfectly suited to everything. The Bee was well suited to many jobs, but ship hulls and rough terrain were not always a good match for the bipedal frame they were developing. Furthermore, walking was not always the fastest way to get around on flat surfaces.

Attempts to make the Bee better-suited for these problems constantly clashed with one of its core design values - simplicity. Default's engineers decided to focus the Bee on what it was meant to do best and develop a second unit to address its shortcomings. In this way, rather than have one jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none unit, they could have two units that were each well suited to their purposes, while keeping costs down.

The eventual result of the Bee's cousin frame was the Weaver. It leveraged technology that Default was developing for a terrain-adapted forklift unit for its legs. The majority of the rest came from the Bee, although the final designs of the two frames were quite different.

Lastly, while the Bee was designed exclusively for humanoid operation, the different design of the Weaver provided the opportunity for a different approach entirely - the Weaver could be built in a variety of sizes, not all of which would fit an operator. While this was not quite as simple as CEO Marcus Default's request to “can't you just print the dang thing smaller?”, many of the basics remain the same between each model, making parts requisition and repair relatively straightforward for anyone familiar with any of the variants.

The Weaver is meant to fill a role similar to familiar jobsite vehicles, such as tractors, backhoes, and other heavy machinery. Its multistruct can tear materials apart, store them, and reassemble them into something else at a later time. In this way, it can handle both demolition, jobsite setup, and construction all on its own. With other utility craft, jobs of all sizes become simple affairs.

Compared to other construction frames, such as the Bee, the Weaver is less rugged and more costly, but much more nimble in a wide variety of environments.

Weavers are available in an assortment of sizes, most of which are operated by non-sapient AIs. Their general purpose remains consistent across all variants, though their capabilities vary depending on size.

The Weaver is a surprisingly nimble construction unit, but it is not designed for combat.

The DEF-M3 “Weaver” Utility/Construction Frame is a six-legged, two-armed frame that resembles a spider in its general layout. It has a high-visibility yellow and black color scheme. An ovoid dome is on the top of its central body. In the larger variant of the Weaver, this holds the cockpit for the unit. In smaller variants, this houses the frame's AI.

Each of the Weaver's legs can extend in a fashion similar to some cranes' telescoping hydraulic boom, allowing it to more than double its height. The bottoms of each leg has a black, rubber-like sphere.

The same extension function is present on the arms, one of which contains the Weaver's multistruct and the other a manipulating claw.

The rear of the Weaver is a large resource container that can be detached and replaced to fuel the multistruct.

The Weaver comes in three variants. The DEF-O1s (small drone) is less than a meter in each direction. The DEF-O1 is roughly 3 meters in each direction. The DEF-M3 (manned) is 10 meters in each direction, with sufficient space for a humanoid passenger to ride in the front.

The Weaver can go where other frames can't. Uneven terrain, upside-down surface, and so on are all possible for the Weaver. While not as well-suited to hostile or dangerous environments as the Bee, the Weaver is nonetheless able to operate in places that bulkier frames would not.

This advantage continues into the Weaver's variety of sizes. Ranging from small enough to pass you in a hallway to large enough to step over a car, the Weaver family of construction craft are meant to go where other construction frames can't.

Compared to other construction models, the Weaver has little capacity to carry loads outside of its passenger (if applicable), resource container, and a reasonably sized object in its manipulator claw. Some operators have taken to strapping loads to the sides of its resource container with elastic netting without affecting the Weaver's operation, but such modifications may have a negative impact on the unit's performance.

A small gravity manipulation system provides a modicum of propulsion in space. Its main use is to assist the Weaver in “sticking” to surfaces in Low/Zero G - or returning to them, should it get separated.

The spheres on each leg can be rotated, like a wheel, allowing the Weaver to “drive” on flat surfaces in any direction. The Weaver is surprisingly agile and can turn on a dime.

These spheres can be depressurized somewhat to allow them to grip onto more difficult surfaces. They have a small, but noticeable, magnetic attraction that allows the Weaver to hold to a metal surface in any orientation. This attraction can be enabled or disabled quickly enough to coincide with the Weaver's steps in a natural way.

Made of a rubber-like outer material with a Madite inner lattice, the spheres are exceptionally resilient and can easily handle stepping/driving along sharp metal surfaces without concern.

Each leg can extend to 2.5 times its shortest height. This allows the Weaver to reach heights that it otherwise might not be able to and provides a more natural/smooth walking motion when necessary.

In manned units, much of the motion of the Weaver is assisted by the onboard AI. The operator simply has to provide the direction and speed; the Weaver's AI does the rest. This can take some getting used to on the part of the operator, as the Weaver is perfectly happy to go up a wall if the operator is not paying attention.

all dimensions include an equipped resource container.

heights are based on nonextended legs; the Weaver can increase its height by 2.5x if/when necessary

The Weaver's head lifts up like a hatch, revealing a simple cockpit within that takes up most of the head's cavity space.

The Weaver's control scheme is identical to the Bee's, although the user sits in a mild incline within the cockpit dome compared to the Bee's upright sitting position.

Construction workers are given a simple set of controls that are familiar to frame pilots, but considerably simpler than most. Forward/backward movement is handled by a “gas” pedal and stick combination. The stick is not truly necessary to change gears, but instead allows the operator to fine-tune the frame's speed in tandem with the pedal, as well as to switch to reverse.

A steering wheel sits in the center of the console with a convenient knob atop it to allow the operator to easily rotate the Bee's body. Minor rotations will move the Weaver's upper body only, while larger rotations will cause the entire body to rotate. The cockpit is motion-stabilized such that the operator will rarely notice the operation of the frame's legs.

Next to the steering wheel on both sides are a set of touchscreen interfaces that allows the operator to select the construction project they are part of, as well as a collection of pre-loaded construction plans and other routines. These will feed into the multistruct system and allow the operator to easily join an existing construction project or start a new one.

Finer control of the Weaver's manipulator arms are done with a set of arm harnesses on the sides of the cockpit. The operator pushes their arms against the harnesses, which lock into place around the hands and arms and translate movement to the Bee's arms directly. While controlling the Bee in this manner, the frame translates head and torse movements into frame controls, allowing the operator to continue moving around the jobsite without needing to put their hands onto the console controls.

The Weaver's heads-up-display provides eye tracking functionality that can be used to interact with menus and digital overlays, such that the operator never needs their hands for any console work.

A simple onboard, non-sapient assist AI translates the pilot's inputs into smooth motion without getting in the way of skilled operators. It also keeps track of maintenance needs, fuel/resource supplies, nearby obstacles, and more. It prioritizes the safety of its operator first and, if necessary, will attempt to prevent an operator from harming themselves. Should the need arise, it can temporarily take control of the frame to protect its operator - such as from falling hazards.

The DEF-M3 variant and its smaller siblings are capable of autonomous action. Supervisors or other remote operators can assign a Weaver to a pre-planned job and they will begin working, automatically delegating and coordinating tasks among themselves. They will also take note of any other local construction equipment and the jobs they are scheduled to perform, whether that equipment is of Default make or not, and attempt to optimize the manner in which they work alongside the other equipment/personnel on the job.

The only exceptions are for equipment that the Weavers are unfamiliar with, in which case one or more of the units will show an unusual curiosity until they “figure out” what that equipment is meant to do - at which point the Weaver “hive mind” will collectively work it into their plan.

Weavers can also be assigned to repair or maintenance duty, at which point they will run regular patrols of any areas/systems they can get access to, while attempting to stay out of the way of the day-to-day activities of those around them.

In terms of personality, Weavers are typically described as “cheery”, although there is some intentional variance in the pre-programmed personalities. Operators can switch these personalities on the fly without affecting performance. Other options include sarcastic, gruff, morose, or the operator can design their own with a series of mood sliders.

Most of the Weaver's sub-systems are simple mechanical components that have been designed to be easily switched out. The only exceptions to this are the Weaver's control systems and the multistruct, which are both designed to be replaced entirely for safety purposes. Its multiple legs are identical in design and can be easily replaced, should the need arise.

Tough durasteel outer plating with a Madite inner surface. Panels can be repaired or replaced easily enough, though they are more than able to hold up to normal jobsite wear-and-tear without needing to be replaced for the lifetime of the Weaver. The Weaver is not as tough as the Bee, but is still plenty durable for its role on the job.

The Weaver's cockpit has redundant atmosphere systems, exceptional radiation protection, and more, to support its operator for up to two days of continuous activity. Longer operation is possible with additional food stores, though the Weaver is not designed for this.

The Weaver does not have combat shields, but it does have a basic electromagnetic shield system to protect its operator and frame systems while in space or hostile conditions.

A basic hyperspace tap system provides more than enough power for the Weaver to operate near-indefinitely. Should the hyperspace tap fail for some reason, backup batteries exist that can provide sufficient power for the multistruct to cannibalize the suit's resource store in an energy-positive manner until repairs can be made.

The Weaver has a basic long-range sensor and communication package. It has surprisingly good close-range sensor systems to support its multistruct, ensuring that fabrication is as error-free as possible.

An OHI MultiStruct Multitool provides all of the Weaver's basic construction utility, though it could be equipped to use other tools, if needed.

The Multistruct can vaporize materials, collect them for later use, then project and print them as needed. It can also be fed a pre-existing store of vaporized materials. In the Weaver's case, this is in the resource containers that it carries on the back of its hips. The Multistruct itself is mounted to the underside of the right arm and fed resources via internal and external tubes. A left arm mount variant is available by request.

Multistruct construction is largely a simple process for its operators - the device, via the Weaver, “knows” how to build whatever it has been instructed to build. The skill of the operator is in carefully moving the device to improve its operation and, accordingly, the speed and resulting quality of the build, in a manner not too dissimilar from skilled welders. Even with the Weaver/multistruct doing most of the work, it's not hard to tell who is and who is not a pro in its use.

None. The multistruct has offensive potential, but is not designed for this purpose.

The Weaver has no military hardpoints.

Whisper created this article on 2023/01/16 22:42.