Re: [gurps] [VEHICLE] of the week 694 â Sternmetal Type 12c Minerbot

[Onno Meyer]

> > Sternmetal Type 12c Minerbot v1.0 (GURPS Traveller TL10)
> >   Copyright 2008 by Onno Meyer
> > 
> >   Each Type 12c Minerbot carries three two-yard sections of track. It 
> > uses two manipulator arms to set them on the ground and to expand the 
> > rails it uses. A spotlight and two cameras allow binocular vision in 
> > dark tunnels.  
> >   Each two-yard section of electrified track is 400 lbs. and $2,000.
> > 
> 
> With this design, and the 6 meters of track limitation, I'd probably throw
> in a Type 
> 12d, which would just be a resupply system for the track sections.
> Something with 
> a simple mechanism to match the loader on the 12c, and carries a lot more
> track, 
> just to reduce the inefficiencies of having the 12c go back for more
> track.

Seems the system ate my last reply ... another try:

The 12b runs to the end of the track and clears the ground beyond.
It can only clear as far as the power shovel reaches, i.e. less 
than six yards. So the 12c would not lay three sections at the 
same time, anyway.

> Just a couple more items, since it's using sectional trackage, how do you
> envision 
> points and sidings being handled?  A more specialized 'bot or teleoperated
> system?

Miners in vacc suits? In Traveller, the more capable a robot, the
more likely it is still a human job. There are many robotic cargo
handlers and only a very few all-purpose humanoids.