Nonvolitional Units (NU), to better differentiate them SI, is a designation for units below even the basic self-awareness threshold.

Nonvolitional Units are machines that posses only minimal AI, and will default to predefined orders (such as patrol, guard, attack, idle, repair, etc) unless governed remotely by an AI or SI.

Nonvolitional Intelligences are typically a step up from the NU, being given rudimentary learning systems that can evolve over time to suit different roles. However, their current level of intelligence and self-awareness is too low for them to survive without guidance from higher intelligences; it is a relationship analogous to that of parents and children.